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

Having a brand new PC or laptop is not enough. Going into its nitty-gritty specifications is what really matters. Today we will be discussing two renowned and established processors that catered to hundreds of users since the day they have been made available in the market.

The i7 8700k vs i7 9700k is an old debate, and users who previously had i7 8700k argue that the next upgrade i7 9700k is not worth a switch because both processors have the same specs and performance has not seen a major jump.

Intel introduced the 9th Generation Core processors in 2018, where they presented the eight-core Intel Core i7-9700K, while the i7 8700k was launched a year before that. The question is, was intel i7 8700k robust enough to compete with the newer intel core i7 9700k?

Before we dig in deep, let’s compare both the processor’s specifications.

i7 9700k vs i7 8700k – Specifications

To best assess both the processors, technical aspects need to be considered to find out what both the processors have packed—the manufacturing process, core, and threads, cache size, etc. As per the parameters, core i7 9700k has the same parameters as the i7 8700k, but the newer processor rules the market.

Before we move ahead, let’s discuss what both core processors offer.

Intel Core i7 9700k

Core i7-9700K is a 9th generation unlocked Coffee Lake CPU processor. It comes with 8 core and 8 thread processors. The i7 9700K offers 95W TDP, 12 MB of cache, and Intel UHD 630 graphics.

As similar to competition 9th generation chips, this core chipset is compatible with Intel’s new Z390 chipset as well as that has an updated BIOS. The i7 9700K incorporates a stock base/boost clocks of 3.6 / 4.6 GHz with a single core boost of 4.9 GHz. If compared to the flagship 9900K, the core boost is 3.6, 4.7, and 5.0 GHz, which is quite impressive and fast.

If both processors are aligned together, you can see similar octa-core performance among the core 9900K and 9700K. All the average PC games cannot enjoy the benefits from more than six threads. However, regardless of the i7 9700k, the processor offers far better value for money to gamers.

Intel Core i7 8700k

The mighty intel i7-8700K came before the i7 9700k and is the top of the line 8the gen Coffee lake processor. Before this processor, users relied on the Kaby Lake and Sky Lake, which were among themselves performance packed.

To be a market competitive to AMD processors, Intel has stepped up its game by creating more threads in their entire range of CPUs for more power. Previously, in earlier generations, a 6-core processor would be the game changers for HEDT processors, but later the i7-8700K was priced as a mainstream default consumer processor.

The Intel i7-8700K came with a base clock speed of 3.7 GHz that pumped to 4.7 GHz with 12MB of smart (L3) cache and 2 channels of DDR4 RAM. The major change in the performance packed processor came from the 7th gen that had higher core counts leading to a 50% increase in speed in the i7-8700k and its previous intel core processor, making 8700k an ideal processor.

However, gamers or other users need to take into account the new motherboard that is to be added in the budget when upgrading to the old-timer 8700K. This is because it requires a new Intel chipset, such as the Z370, that is created for more power intake and performance with greater cores.

The 8700k is available in different CPUs such as the 6 core 6 thread i5-8600k that is a more viable option and cheaper. But for anyone that requires more juice from it, then hyper-threading is an option.

8700k vs 9700k Benchmark Performance Ratio

• CPU Mark Rating

It can be seen in the test results the change in performance has not spiked drastically; its a minor change in numbers.

• CPU Value (CPU Mark / $Price)

• CPU Single Thread Rating

It should come to light that these numbers may change from time to time, depending on the power derived and power being boosted from both cores. Hence the number is not big enough to show a major change in performance. Which is why so far i7 9700k vs 8700k remain the same.

Does this claim Intel Core i7-9700K better than Intel Core i7-8700K?

• 29.73% faster CPU speed 
• 0.5MB bigger L2 cache 
• 0.2GHz higher turbo clock speed
• 128KB bigger L1 cache
• 901 higher PassMark result
• Has an unlocked multiplier
• 88 higher PassMark result (single)
• 64GB larger maximum memory size

Looking at numbers, the i7-9700K outranks the Core i7-8700K, but the change is minor. We can vouch using both processors. You wopn’t find the reason.

The Core i7-8700K, like the Core i7-8700, its predecessor, is a six-core, twelve-thread gaming CPU. The 8700K, on the other hand, is unlocked for overclocking, giving it the scope for better multitasking performance and faster gaming speeds. At least, in theory. During an attempt at overclocking the Core i7-8700K combined with the BK009 Pure Rock cooler from BeQuite, unfortunately, the results were underwhelming; we could not go any higher than 4.7GHz. Any quicker, and our system would crash.

This means only one thing – to achieve the most out of the Core i7-8700K, you will require a more powerful cooling solution, but that doesn’t mean that it is all bad and not worth considering if you only own a standard tower cooler like ours. Indeed, even without overclocking, the Core i7-8700 K’s performance for gaming is relatively fast and impressive. Therefore, considering the bigger picture, it is also significantly faster than AMD’s top-tier Ryzen 7 2700X used under identical conditions.

Intel Core i7 9700k vs i7 8700k Test in 8 Games

Which of these two processors, the Intel Core i7-9700K or the Intel Core i7-8700K, is more powerful? 

The Intel Core i7-9700K is a high-performance processor that features a maximum frequency of 4.90 GHz, eight cores, and 8 threads. Memory capacities of up to 128 GB are available across two memory channels. The fourth quarter of 2018 saw the launch of the Intel Core i7-9700K.

The Intel Core i7-8700K processor has a maximum frequency of 4.70 GHz, six cores, and 12 threads, and it clocks in at its highest frequency. The (CPU) can accommodate as much as 128 GB of memory through 2 memory channels. The fourth quarter of 2017 saw the launch of the Intel Core i7-8700K.

Intel Core i7-9700K vs Intel Core i7-8700K – Should you rethink to Upgrade?

Are you satisfied to upgrade to the i7-9700K from the Intel Core i7-8700K? Providing a prominent statement would not be eligible at this moment because, by numbers on paper, the Intel Core i7-9700K is a superior processor, but the performance would not be as good as the numbers state.

Using both the processors, we know users will not feel any boost in performance, however at a higher price, the upgrade seems fine, but without it, the performance would remain the same. However, keeping that in mind, the Intel Core i7-8700K is not going anywhere. Users using the processor would not want to upgrade to the i7-9700K.

Read Also

• 6 Best Laptops For Writers
• Mac vs PC Desktop Computers
• Alienware Aurora R7 Review
• Optical vs Laser Mouse
• 8 Best Gaming Keyboards Under 100
• 6 Best Gaming & Tech Gadgets
• Homall Gaming Chair Review
• Merax Gaming Chair Review
• Kinsal Gaming Chair Review
• 8 Best Gaming Mouse Under 50
• Dell Inspiron 15 7000 2-in-1 Black Edition (7506) review
• How to Use an Iomega External Hard Drive