Intel Core i9-7900X vs Intel Core i7-8700K

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i9-7900X or Intel Core i9-7900X – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i9-7900X features 10 processor cores and has the capability to manage 20 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2017 and belongs to the 7 generation of the Intel Core i9 series.
To use the Intel Core i9-7900X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2066 socket.
The Intel Core i7-8700K features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2017 and belongs to the 8 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-8700K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1151-2 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i9-7900X Name Intel Core i7-8700K
Intel Core i9 Family Intel Core i7
7 Generation 8
Intel Core i 7000X Group Intel Core i 8000
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i9-7900X has 10 CPU cores and can calculate 20 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i9-7900X is 3.3 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.3 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Intel Core i7-8700K has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-8700K is 3.7 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.7 GHz.
4.3 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.7 GHz
Yes Overclocking Yes
normal Core architecture normal
3.3 GHz Frequency 3.7 GHz
20 Threads 12
None None 4.3 GHz
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
10 CPU Cores 6
10x Cores 6x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i9-7900X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i7-8700K has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i7-8700K uses the Intel UHD Graphics 630, which has 192 texture shaders
and 24 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
-- GPU frequency 0.35 GHz
-- Release date Q4/2017
-- Direct X 12
GPU name Intel UHD Graphics 630
-- Technology 14 nm
-- Max. displays --
-- Shaders 192
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 64.0 GB
-- Execution units 24
-- Generation 9.5
-- GPU (Turbo) 1.2 GHz
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- AVC Decode / Encode
-- VC-1 Decode
-- VP9 Decode / Encode
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) Decode / Encode
-- h264 Decode / Encode
-- VP8 Decode / Encode
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) Decode / Encode
-- JPEG Decode / Encode
-- AV1 No
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 85.4 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
4 Memory channels 2
128.0 GB Max. Memory 128.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC No
85.4 GB/s Bandwidth 42.7 GB/s
DDR4-2666 Memory type DDR4-2666
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 140 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 95 W watts.
-- Tjunction max --
140 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 95 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i9-7900X is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 14.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i7-8700K is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 12.0 MB cache.
Q2/2017 Release date Q4/2017
-- Part Number --
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX-512 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Skylake X Architecture Coffee Lake S
14 nm Technology 14 nm
LGA 2066 Socket LGA 1151-2
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11
989 $ Release price 370 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
14.0 MB L3-Cache 12.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
41255
41255
Intel Core i7-8700K
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
27445
27445

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
21190
21190
Intel Core i7-8700K
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
13770
13770

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
14998
14998
Intel Core i7-8700K
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
8960
8960

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
10199
10199
Intel Core i7-8700K
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
6693
6693

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
9120
9120
Intel Core i7-8700K
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
6750
6750

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
5530
5530
Intel Core i7-8700K
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
3709
3709

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-8700K
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
5330
5330
Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
4876
4876

Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
5286
5286
Intel Core i7-8700K
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
3689
3689

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
2194
2194
Intel Core i7-8700K
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
1447
1447

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-8700K
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
1486
1486
Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
1410
1410

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-8700K
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
1242
1242
Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
1133
1133

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
1222
1222
Intel Core i7-8700K
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
1209
1209

Cinebench R20 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-8700K
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
487
487
Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
461
461

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

Intel Core i7-8700K
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
232.4
232.4
Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
137.7
137.7

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-8700K
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
208
208
Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
188
188

Cinebench R11.5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
24.1
24.1
Intel Core i7-8700K
6C 12T @ 3.7 GHz
16.0
16.0