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

The Intel Core i7-8700K and the Intel Core i7-9700K are Intel's desktop processors for demanding users, developed using a 14nm manufacturing process.

The Intel Core i7-8700K, based on the Coffee Lake S architecture, offers 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i7-9700K, a Coffee Lake S Refresh variant, has 8 cores and 8 threads as it foregoes Hyper-Threading. Both use PCIe 3.0, offer a maximum memory bandwidth of 43 GB/s, and integrate Intel UHD Graphics 630 with 12 MB of Level 3 Cache.

In single-core benchmarks, the Intel Core i7-9700K shows a performance increase of over 10 percent in some tests. For multi-core applications, its advantage is even clearer, with more than 10 percent higher performance in several benchmarks, due to its additional physical cores. This also makes the Intel Core i7-9700K the better choice for gaming scenarios and intensive multi-thread workloads, where the higher core count brings benefits.

Both "K" models have a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 95 Watts and are overclockable, with the Intel Core i7-9700K potentially consuming more power under full load. Historically, the Intel Core i7-9700K was more expensive. In the used market, it offers a better price-performance ratio for multi-core applications, while the Intel Core i7-8700K represents a cost-efficient option for balanced use, especially when Hyper-Threading scales well in applications.