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

The Intel Core i7-8700 (Coffee Lake S, 14 nm), introduced in late 2017, targeted mainstream users and offered 6 cores and 12 threads.

The Intel Core i7-9700K, introduced a year later as a Coffee Lake S Refresh processor, aimed at gamers and overclockers.

It features 8 physical cores and 8 threads. Both CPUs are manufactured using the 14 nm process, utilize PCIe 3.0, have 12 MB of Level 3 Cache, and include Intel UHD Graphics 630. In terms of computing performance, the Intel Core i7-9700K significantly outperforms the Intel Core i7-8700.

In single-core tests, its advantage is over 10 percent, and in multi-core applications, it's even over 20 percent, primarily due to higher clock speeds and more physical cores. For gaming, the Intel Core i7-9700K is the better choice thanks to superior clock speeds and overclockability.

The Intel Core i7-8700 (TDP 65 Watts) is more energy-efficient; the Intel Core i7-9700K (TDP 95 Watts) offers more performance with higher power consumption and requires more robust cooling. On the used market, the Intel Core i7-8700 offers a balanced price-performance ratio for general applications and moderate gaming, as a more cost-effective choice.

The Intel Core i7-9700K is intended for users seeking maximum performance for demanding gaming, content creation, or overclocking, and who are willing to pay a higher price and incur higher system costs for it.