Intel
Core i7-8700K
Coffee Lake · 6C/12T · 95 W · LGA1151
62
/ 100
From $359
VS
Core i7-9700K wins by 4
Intel
Core i7-9700K
Coffee Lake Refresh · 8C/8T · 95 W · LGA1151
66
/ 100
From $374
Specdex verdict
Core i7-9700K takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Core i7-8700K lands at 62 and Core i7-9700K at 66. That puts Core i7-9700K ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Core i7-8700K if…
- ✓Strong per-core performance
- ✓Hybrid P/E cores (12th gen+)
- ✓Wide platform availability
Pick Core i7-9700K if…
- ✓Strong per-core performance
- ✓Hybrid P/E cores (12th gen+)
- ✓Wide platform availability
Core i7-8700K 62
vs 66 Core i7-9700K
Score breakdown
Core i7-8700K
62 single 64
multi 62
gaming 61
efficiency 72
Core i7-9700K
66 single 68
multi 66
gaming 65
efficiency 74
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Core i7-8700K | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Coffee Lake Refresh |
| Cores | 6 | ▲ 8 |
| Threads | ▲ 12 | 8 |
| TDP | 95 W | 95 W |
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1151 |
| Release year | 2017 | 2018 |
Core i7-8700K
Pros
- +Strong per-core performance
- +Hybrid P/E cores (12th gen+)
- +Wide platform availability
Cons
- −Power draw on top SKUs
- −Frequent socket changes
- −Arrow Lake gaming regressions
Core i7-9700K
Pros
- +Strong per-core performance
- +Hybrid P/E cores (12th gen+)
- +Wide platform availability
Cons
- −Power draw on top SKUs
- −Frequent socket changes
- −Arrow Lake gaming regressions
FAQ: Core i7-8700K vs Core i7-9700K
Which is better, Core i7-8700K or Core i7-9700K? +
Core i7-9700K scores 66 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Core i7-8700K worth the price? +
At $359, Core i7-8700K delivers a Specdex score of 62 — strongest in efficiency.
Is Core i7-9700K worth the price? +
At $374, Core i7-9700K delivers a Specdex score of 66 — strongest in efficiency.
Does Core i7-8700K or Core i7-9700K last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.