Intel Core i7-8700 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265F

The Intel Core i7-8700 is an 8th generation desktop processor (Coffee Lake S) that was launched in 2018 and is manufactured using a 14 nm process.

With 6 cores and 12 threads, it was aimed at mainstream users and gamers. It features 12 MB of L3 cache, supports PCIe 3.0, and offers a maximum memory bandwidth of 43 GB/s. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 handles basic graphics output. In benchmarks, it shows higher multi-core performance in Cinebench R23, but is significantly outperformed by the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F in single- and multi-core performance in Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024.

For gaming, it is less powerful than its counterpart due to its older architecture and PCIe version. Today, it is primarily relevant as a cost-effective option in the used market. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265F is a future desktop processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, manufactured using an advanced 3 nm process.

It was designed for demanding users, content creators, and gamers, utilizing a hybrid core design for optimized performance and efficiency. With 36 MB L2 and 33 MB L3 cache, support for PCIe 5.0, and a memory bandwidth of 102 GB/s, it is future-proof. It surpasses the Intel Core i7-8700 in almost all modern benchmarks (Geekbench 6, Cinebench 2024), but offers lower multi-core performance in Cinebench R23.

Its modern architecture and PCIe 5.0 provide superior gaming performance. Thanks to the 3 nm process, it is also significantly more energy-efficient. It represents an investment in high-end performance for the coming years.