Core i7 9700k vs 8700k: Core i7-8700K vs Core i7-9700K [17-Benchmark Showdown]

Intel Core i7-9700K vs Intel Core i7-8700K

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Intel announced its range of 9th Generation Core processors at its Desktop Launch Event 2018, including the new eight-core Intel Core i7-9700K.

This will be the processor that high-end PC builders will want to buy, but how does it compare to its 8th generation predecessor, the Intel Core i7-8700K?

In this article we’ll compare how the two processors stack up against each other, and see if there’s a compelling reason to buy the new i7-9700K over the older, yet still very powerful i7-8700K.

Intel Core i7-9700K vs Intel Core i7-8700K price

The Intel Core i7-8700K launched last year for $359 (about £270, AU$460), which put it directly against AMD’s best Ryzen 7 processors including the $329 (£299, AU$469) AMD Ryzen 7 2700X.

Meanwhile, the Intel Core i7-9700K will cost $374 (around AU$530). In the UK, retailers have pitched it at a higher £500 price tag. The price after tax will be more like $399, if you’ll want the newer, and more powerful, i7-9700K. Of course, those looking to build a high-end gaming PC may already be ready to splurge on the best CPU.

Intel Core i7-9700K vs Intel Core i7-8700K: specifications

This is where things get a little confusing, as the Intel Core i7-9700K comes with two extra cores but a lower thread count than the Intel Core i7-8700K.

So, the Intel Core i7-9700K comes with eight-cores and eight-threads, 12MB cache and a TDP of 95W.

Meanwhile, the Intel Core i7-8700K features six-cores and 12 threads, 12MB cache and a 95W TDP.

The Intel Core i7-9700K is also rated with a base clock of 3.6GHz and can boost one its processor cores all the way to 4.9GHz. Comparatively, the Intel Core i7-8700K starts at a tick higher 3.7GHz base frequency, but can’t go nearly as fast with its maximum 4.7GHz boost clock.

However, it could be in overclocking where the Intel Core i7-9700K will really gain a lead over its predecessor. Thanks to its soldered integrated heat spreader (IHS), the Intel Core i7-9700K should be better at keeping the chip cool, allowing for better overclocks.

In theory, this purported gold-plated solder replacing the thermal paste Intel has used in the past will be a much more efficient heat transfer medium.

Intel Core i7-9700K vs Intel Core i7-8700K: should you upgrade?

So, should you upgrade from a Intel Core i7-8700K to a Intel Core i7-9700K? We won’t be able to give you a definitive answer until we’ve properly reviewed the new chip and spent time with it, but on paper at least it looks like the Intel Core i7-9700K is a decent upgrade for a reasonably higher price.

It doesn’t look like it does anything that will make the Intel Core i7-8700K obsolete any time soon, though. That may be good news for Intel Core i7-8700K owners, but disappointing for others.

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Matt is TechRadar’s Managing Editor for Core Tech, looking after computing and mobile technology. Having written for a number of publications such as PC Plus, PC Format, T3 and Linux Format, there’s no aspect of technology that Matt isn’t passionate about, especially computing and PC gaming. Ever since he got an Amiga A500+ for Christmas in 1991, he’s loved using (and playing on) computers, and will talk endlessly about how The Secret of Monkey Island is the best game ever made.

8700K vs 9700K | WePC

Below, we’re going to be outlining the most common features that you should look out for when considering which Intel Core i7 processor is right for you:

Number of Cores and threads

The first feature that we’re going to be looking at is the number of cores each CPU has. The core is essentially a single processor that is located inside a CPU.

Nowadays, most of the computers that are manufactured today come with multiple cores, which means that the CPU has more than one core.

Core vs. thread; cores are hardware components, while threads are virtual components that manage the CPU’s tasks.

In contrast, a thread is the ‘virtual’ version of a CPU core, and the presence of threads (and the number of them) helps increase performance.

So, with many threads, a CPU will be able to handle several tasks at the same time without issues. Both the 8700K and 9700K have active threads alongside their cores, which we’re going to be outlining below:

As the Intel Core i7 9700K is the upgraded model to the Intel Core i7 8700, Intel has given it an additional two cores alongside the 8 threads, bringing the total core amount to 8.

On the other hand, though the Intel Core i7 8700 has just six cores, it has more threads than the upgraded i7 9700K. The i7 8700 has 12 threads, a 12MB cache, and a 95W TDP, so its workload capabilities are near enough on par with the Intel Core i7 9700K.  

Though multiple processor cores are among the biggest indicators of performance efficiency, multiple threads are just as important to consider. 

If you choose a CPU with a higher thread count, your computer will be better at multitasking, as the threads will help to organize the workload to the CPU in a more efficient manner. 

Maximum Clock Rate

Another measure of a processor’s efficiency is what is known as clock speeds or the clock rate. To simplify, this is the speed at which a processor can carry out instructions.

To follow instructions correctly and on time, the CPU will need a fixed clock cycle. Just think of it this way: the faster the clock speeds, the more instructions the CPU will be able to handle every second. 

Usually, the clock rate is displayed in either GHz or MHz. The Intel Core i7 9700K comes with a clock speed of 3.36GHz, with one of the processing cores reaching up to 4.9GHz.

In contrast, the Intel Core i7 8700 has a 3. 7GHz base frequency, although it can reach a maximum of 4.7 GHz if you were to overclock it. 

However, out of the two, it is the Intel Core i7 9700K that takes first place. As it has a seamless heat spreader, the 9700K will be able to keep the CPU cool and functioning correctly if you wish to overclock it to speed things up. In contrast, the 8700K may overheat and struggle to maintain performance efficiency.

Heat Management

Heat management ties in closely to the point above. Having efficient CPU thermal management is essential in both enhancing the life of your processor, as well as allowing for a much faster overall computer performance. 

Oftentimes, the most common way that heat is regulated is by incorporating fans that can move warm air from the CPU and expel it to the outside of the case. In addition to this, cooler air can sometimes be blown into the CPU to keep it at a cooler temperature. 

For the Intel Core i7 9700K, as its clock speeds are faster, this means that it needs a more efficient cooling system than less powerful CPUs.

Like we mentioned earlier, it has been equipped with a soldered integrated heat spreader that will be able to keep the CPU cool while in operation. The 8700K doesn’t have this, and many report that it can experience heat spikes while overclocking. 

Besides this, both CPUs feature a purported gold-plated solder that replaces the older, traditional thermal paste that Intel has been known for using in the past. This upgraded solder can transfer heat more efficiently, which helps to prevent further overheating.

Intel Core i7 9700K vs i7 8700K:

performance comparison

VS

Intel Core i7 9700K

Intel Core i7 8700K

Which is better: 8-core Intel Core i7 9700K at 3.6 GHz or i7 8700K with 6 cores at 3.7 GHz? To find out, read our comparison test of these 14nm desktop processors in popular benchmarks, games and heavy applications.

  1. Overview
  2. Differences
  3. Performance
  4. Features
  5. Comments

Overview

Overview and comparison of the main metrics from NanoReview

Single-threaded performance

Rating in tests using a single core

Core i7 9700K

60

Core i7 8700K

57

Multi-threaded performance

All-core benchmarks

Core i7 9700K

33

Core i7 8700K

29

Power Efficiency

Chip Power Efficiency

Core i7 9700K

45

Core i7 8700K

44

NanoReview rating

Final CPU score

Core i7 9700K

46

Core i7 8700K

43

Key differences

What are the main differences between 8700K and 9700K

Reasons to choose Intel Core i7 9700K

  • Has 2 more physical cores
  • Introduced 1 year later than rival
  • 4% higher Turbo Boost frequency (4. 9 GHz vs 4.7 GHz)

Benchmark tests

Compare the results of processor tests in benchmarks

Cinebench R23 (single core)

Core i7 9700K
+6%

1291

Core i7 8700K

1222

Cinebench R23 (multi-core)

Core i7 9700K
+6%

9463

Core i7 8700K

8899

Passmark CPU (single core)

Core i7 9700K
+6%

2914

Core i7 8700K

2753

Passmark CPU (multi-core)

Core i7 9700K
+5%

14596

Core i7 8700K

13877

Geekbench 5 (single core)

Core i7 9700K
+4%

1293

Core i7 8700K

1243

Geekbench 5 (multi-core)

Core i7 9700K
+13%

7503

Core i7 8700K

6659

Add your Cinebench R23 results

Specifications

List of full specifications of Intel Core i7 9700K and i7 8700K

General information

Manufacturer Intel Intel
Release date October 8, 2018 October 5, 2017
Type Desktop Desktop
Instruction set architecture x86-64 x86-64
Codename Coffee Lake Coffee Lake
Model number i7-9700K i7-8700K
Integrated graphics UHD Graphics 630 UHD Graphics 630

Processor

Performance Cores
Cores 8 6
threads 8 12
Frequency 3. 6 GHz 3.7 GHz
Max. frequency in Turbo Boost 4.9 GHz 4.7 GHz
General
Number of cores 8 6
Number of threads 8 12
Bus frequency 100 MHz 100 MHz
Multiplier 36x 37x
Tire speed 8 GT/s 8 GT/s
Level 1 cache 64KB (per core) 64KB (per core)
Level 2 cache 256KB (per core) 256KB (per core)
Level 3 cache 12MB (shared) 12MB (shared)
Unlocked multiplier Yes Yes
Process 14 nanometers 14 nanometers
Power consumption (TDP) 95 W 95W
Socket LGA-1151 LGA-1151
Critical temperature 100°C 100°C
Integrated graphics Intel UHD Graphics 630 Intel UHD Graphics 630
GPU frequency 350 MHz 350 MHz
Boost GPU frequency 1200 MHz 1200 MHz
Shader blocks 192 192
TMUs 24 24
ROPs 3 3
Computer units 24 24
TGP 15W 15W
Max. resolution 4096×2304 — 60Hz 4096×2304 — 60Hz

iGPU FLOPS

Core i7 9700K

0.38 teraflops

Core i7 8700K

0.38 teraflops

9 0002

Memory support

Memory type — DDR4-2666 — DDR4-2666
Max. size 128 GB 128 GB
Number of channels 2 2
Max. bandwidth 41.6 GB/s 41.6 GB/s
ECC support No No

Other

Official site Site Intel Core i7 9700K Site Intel Core i7 8700K
PCI Express Version 3.0 3.0
Max. PCI Express lanes 16 16
Extended instructions SSE4. 1, SSE4.2, AVX-2 SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX-2

Poll

What processor do you think is the best?

Core i7 9700K

43 (44.3%)

Core i7 8700K

54 (55.7%)

Total votes: 97 900 03

Competitors

1.
Intel Core i7 9700K and Apple M2

2.
Intel Core i7 9700K and AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D

3.
Intel Core i7 9700K and AMD Ryzen 7 5700X

4.
Intel Core i7 9700K and i5 12600K

5.
Intel Core i7 9700K and i5 12400F

6.
Intel Core i7 8700K and i5 12600K

7.
Intel Core i7 8700K and AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D

8.
Intel Core i7 8700K and i7 13700K

9.
Intel Core i7 8700K and i5 12400F

Compare other CPUs (540+)

Intel Core i7-8700K vs Intel Core i7-9700K: What is the difference?

52points

Intel Core i7-8700K

58points

Intel Core i7-9700K

003 395

335

Comparison winner

395

vs

61 facts in comparison

Intel Core i7-8700K

Intel Core i7-9700K

Why is Intel Core i7-8700K better than Intel Core i7-9700K?

  • 4 more CPU threads?
    12 vs 8
  • Uses multithreading?
  • 0. 5MB/core more L3 cache per core?
    2MB/core vs 1.5MB/core

  • 29.73% higher CPU speed?
    8 x 3.6GHz vs 6 x 3.7GHz
  • 0.5MB more L2 cache?
    2MB vs 1.5MB
  • 5.75% higher PassMark score?
    14548 vs 13757
  • 128KB more L1 cache?
    512KB vs 384KB
  • 64GB more max memory?
    128GB vs 64GB
  • 5.82% higher PassMark score (overclocked)?
    14725 vs 13915

Intel Core i7-8700K

vs

Intel Core i5-9600K

Intel Core i7-9700K

vs

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

Intel Core i7-8700K

vs

AMD Ryzen 5 5500U

Intel Core i7-9700K

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

Intel Core i7-9700K

9000 2 vs

Intel Core i7-13700K

Intel Core i7-8700K

vs

Intel Core i5-10400

Intel Core i7-9700K

vs

Intel Core i9-9900K

Intel Core i7-8700K

vs

90 002 AMD Ryzen 5 5600G

Intel Core i7-9700K

vs

AMD Ryzen 7 3700X

Intel Core i7-8700K

vs

Intel Core i5-10600K

Intel Core i7-9700K

vs 9000 3

Intel Core i7-9700F

Intel Core i7-8700K

vs

AMD Ryzen 5 3600

Intel Core i7-9700K

vs

AMD Ryzen 5 5600G

Intel Core i7-8700K

vs

Intel Core i7-8700 9000 3

Intel Core i7-9700K

vs

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

Intel Core i7-8700K

vs

Intel Core i5-12400

Intel Core i7-9700K

vs

Intel Core i5-9600K

9 0646 Price comparison

Intel Core i7-8700K

Buy used:

€115

Product Store Price
Intel Core i7-8700K Prozessor (12 MB Cac. ..Intel Core i7-8700K Prozessor (12 MB Cache, bis zu , 6 core, 3.70 GHz) €335 70GHz) SR3QR CPU|Sockel 1151| Refurbished OVP €147
Hardware-Bundle: Z370 AORUS GAMING 3, i7…Hardware-Bundle: Z370 AORUS GAMING 3, i7 8700K, h215i PRO RGB, 700 Watt
Intel Core i7-8700K 3.70GHz LGA 1151/Soc…Intel Core i7-8700K 3.70GHz LGA 1151/Sockel h5 Prozessor (SR3QR) €115
901 74

Intel Core i7-8700K 6×3.7GHz Sockel LGA …Intel Core i7-8700K 6×3.7GHz Sockel LGA 1151 Prozessor SR3QR €199

Intel Core i7-9700K

Buy used:

€220

901 72

Product Store Price
Intel Core i7-9700K Prozessor 3.6GHz Oct…Intel Core i7-9700K Prozessor 3.6GHz Octa Core LGA1151 CPU €395
Prozessor i7-9700 90 174

€220
INTEL Prozessor CPU Core i7-9700K Socke. ..INTEL Prozessor CPU Core i7-9700K Socket 1151, 8 Core, Cache 12MB, Up to 3.9GHz
Intel Core i7-9700K Octa-Core Prozessor …Intel Core i7-9700K Octa-Core Prozessor — 3.6 GHz, 12MB Cache — LGA 1151 €220
Intel Core i7-9700K €220
Intel Core i7-9700K, 8C/8T, 3.60-4.90GHz…Intel Core i7-9700K, 8C/8T, 3.60-4.90GHz, boxed ohne Kühler (BX80684I79700K) €395 90 174

User reviews

Overall rating

Intel Core i7-8700K

2 User reviews

Intel Core i7-8700K

10.0 /10

2 User reviews

Intel Core i7-9700K

0 User reviews

Intel Core i7-9700K

0.0 /10

0 User reviews

Features

Value for money

10.0 /10

2 votes

No reviews yet

Games

10. 0 /10

2 votes

No reviews yet

Performance no calls yet

Reliability

9.5 /10

2 votes

No reviews yet

/10

2 votes

No reviews yet

Performance

CPU speed

6 x 3.7GHz

8 x 3.6GHz

CPU speed indicates how many processing cycles per second a processor can perform, considering all its cores (processors). It is calculated by adding the clock speeds of each core or, in the case of multi-core processors, each group of cores.

processor thread

More threads result in better performance and better multitasking.

turbo clock speed

4.7GHz

4.9GHz

When the processor is running below its limits, it can jump to a higher clock speed to increase performance.

Has unlocked multiplier

✔Intel Core i7-8700K

✔Intel Core i7-9700K

Some processors come with an unlocked multiplier and are easier to overclock, allowing for better performance in games and other applications.

L2 Cache

More L2 scratchpad memory results in faster results in CPU and system performance tuning.

L3 cache

More L3 scratchpad memory results in faster results in CPU and system performance tuning.

L1 cache

More L1 cache results in faster results in CPU and system performance tuning.

L2 core

0.25MB/core

0.25MB/core

More data can be stored in L2 scratchpad for access by each processor core.

L3 core

2MB/core

1.5MB/core

More data can be stored in L3 scratchpad for access by each processor core.

Geotagging

PassMark result

This benchmark measures CPU performance using multithreading.

PassMark result (single)

This benchmark measures processor performance using a thread of execution.

Cinebench R20 result (multi-core)

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-8700K)

Cinebench R20 is a benchmark that measures the performance of a multi-core processor by rendering a 3D scene.

Cinebench R20 result (single core)

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-8700K)

Cinebench R20 is a test to evaluate the performance of a single core processor when rendering a 3D scene.

Geekbench 5 result (multi-core)

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-8700K)

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-9700K)

Geekbench 5 is a cross-platform benchmark that measures multi-core processor performance. (Source: Primate Labs, 2023)

Geekbench 5 result (single core)

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-8700K)

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-9700K)

Geekbench 5 is a cross-platform test that measures the single-core performance of a processor. (Source: Primate Labs, 2023)

Blender test result (bmw27)

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-8700K)

224.8seconds

The Blender benchmark (bmw27) measures CPU performance by rendering a 3D scene. More powerful processors can render a scene in a shorter time.

Blender (classroom) result

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-8700K)

709.8seconds

The Blender benchmark (classroom) measures CPU performance by rendering a 3D scene. More powerful processors can render a scene in a shorter time.

performance per watt

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-8700K)

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-9700K)

This means that the processor is more efficient, resulting in more performance per watt of power used.

Integrated graphics

GPU clock speed

350MHz

350MHz

The graphics processing unit (GPU) has a higher clock speed.

turbo GPU

1200MHz

1200MHz

When the GPU is running below its limits, it can jump to a higher clock speed to increase performance.

GPU actuators

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-8700K)

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-9700K)

A graphics processing unit (GPU) with more execution units can provide better graphics.

monitor support

By using multiple displays, you can increase your workspace, making it easier to work across multiple applications.

DirectX version

DirectX is used in games with a new version that supports better graphics.

OpenGL version

The newer the OpenGL version, the better graphics quality in games.

OpenCL version

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-8700K)

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-9700K)

Some applications use OpenCL to use the power of the graphics processing unit (GPU) for non-graphical computing. Newer versions are more functional and better quality.

textured units (TMUs)

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-8700K)

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-9700K)

TMUs take texture units and map them to the geometric location of the 3D scene. More TMUs generally means texture information is processed faster.

ROPs imaging units

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-8700K)

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-9700K)

ROPs are responsible for some of the final steps of the rendering process, such as writing the final pixel data to memory and for performing other tasks such as anti-aliasing to improve the appearance of graphics.

Memory

RAM speed

2666MHz

2666MHz

Can support faster memory which speeds up system performance.

maximum memory bandwidth

42.7GB/s

41.6GB/s

This is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored in memory.

DDR memory version

DDR (Dynamic Dynamic Random Access Memory Double Data Rate) is the most common type of main memory. New versions of DDR memory support higher maximum speeds and are more energy efficient.

memory channels

More memory channels increase the speed of data transfer between memory and processor.

maximum memory

Maximum memory (RAM).

bus baud rate

The bus is responsible for transferring data between various components of a computer or device.

Supports memory troubleshooting code

✖Intel Core i7-8700K

✖Intel Core i7-9700K

Memory troubleshooting code can detect and repair data corruption. It is used when necessary to avoid distortion, such as in scientific computing or when starting a server.

eMMC version

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-8700K)

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-9700K)

The newer version of eMMC — built-in flash memory card — speeds up the memory interface, has a positive effect on device performance, for example, when transferring files from a computer to internal memory via USB.

bus frequency

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-8700K)

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-9700K)

The bus is responsible for transferring data between various components of a computer or device

Functions

instruction sets

SSE 4. 2, SSE 4.1, AVX, AES, FMA3, F16C, MMX

SSE 4.2, SSE 4.1, AVX, AES, FMA3, F16C, MMX

Instruction sets are sets of codes that the CPU executes for certain functions.

uses multithreading

✔Intel Core i7-8700K

✖Intel Core i7-9700K

Multithreading technology (such as Intel’s Hyperthreading or AMD’s Simultaneous Multithreading) provides better performance by dividing each physical processor core into logical cores, also known as threads. Thus, each core can run two instruction streams at the same time.

bits transmitted at the same time

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-8700K)

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-9700K)

NEON provides faster media processing such as MP3 listening.

Has TrustZone

✖Intel Core i7-8700K

✖Intel Core i7-9700K

Technology is integrated into the processor to ensure device security when using features such as mobile payments and streaming video using Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology .

interface width

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-8700K)

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-9700K)

The processor can decode more instructions per clock (IPC), which means the processor performs better

Has NX bit

✔Intel Core i7-8700K

✔Intel Core i7-9700K 90 003

NX bit helps protect your computer from virus attacks.

VFP version

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-8700K)

Unknown. Help us offer a price. (Intel Core i7-9700K)

The floating point vector (VFP) is used by the processor to provide enhanced performance in areas such as digital imaging.

Other

Has AES

✔Intel Core i7-8700K

✔Intel Core i7-9700K

AES is used to speed up encryption and decryption.

Price comparison

Intel Core i7-8700K

Buy used:

€115

9 0833 Price

Product Shop
Intel Core i7-8700K Prozessor (12 MB Cac . ..Intel Core i7-8700K Prozessor (12 MB Cache, bis zu, 6 core, 3.70 GHz) €335
Intel Core i7-8700K (6x 3. 70GHz) SR3QR C… Intel Core i7-8700K (6x 3.70GHz) SR3QR CPU | Sockel 1151 | Refurbished OVP €147
Hardware Bundle: Z370 AORUS GAMING 3, i7…Hardware Bundle: Z370 AORUS GAMING 3, i7 8700K, h215i PRO RGB , 700 Watt Netzteil €288
Intel Core i7-8700K 3.70GHz LGA 1151/Soc…Intel Core i7-8700K 3.70GHz LGA 1151/Sockel h5 Prozessor (SR3QR) €115
Intel Core i7-8700K 6×3.7GHz Sockel LGA …Intel Core i7-8700K 6×3.7GHz Sockel LGA 1151 Prozessor SR3QR €199

Intel Core i7-9700K

Buy used:

€220

901 72

Product Store Price
Intel Core i7-9700K Prozessor 3.

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