CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-10600 vs Intel Core i7-8700B
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-10600 is a 6-core, 12-thread desktop processor hitting high turbo frequencies of 4.8 GHz, making it a strong contender for high-refresh-rate gaming and responsive productivity.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
High clocks make everyday tasks and application launches feel instantaneous.
Handles compiling, rendering, and multitasking effortlessly.
Gaming
Excellent high-refresh-rate gaming performance thanks to 4.8 GHz boost.
Good for gaming if paired with an eGPU or external monitor.
Virtualization
Handles virtualization workloads comfortably.
Great for running VMs in a compact server footprint.
Efficiency
Higher clocks result in increased power draw under load compared to lower i5 models.
Optimized power delivery for BGA designs.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Fast clock speeds help with CPU-based inference tasks
- No AI hardware
- 12 threads help with CPU inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- Ideal for 144Hz+ gaming
- Minimizes bottlenecks with high-end GPUs
- High single-core speed is a major advantage
- Relies on eGPU or discrete GPU in chassis
- UHD 630 only good for light games
- CPU performance is excellent for gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Very high 4.8 GHz turbo boost
- 6 cores and 12 threads
- Excellent single-threaded performance
- Includes integrated graphics
- Aggressive out-of-the-box turbo behavior
Cons
- Locked multiplier
- Higher power draw under load
- Limited to PCIe 3.0
- Memory speed capped at 2666 MT/s natively
Pros
- Full desktop performance in BGA form
- 6 cores / 12 threads
- Excellent for compact systems
- Good turbo boost speeds
Cons
- Soldered, cannot be upgraded
- Hard to find outside pre-builts
- Locked multiplier
- 14nm process is outdated
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-10600
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600XTRival
Gaming Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-10600KRival
Enthusiast Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-10500Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800XRival
High-End Desktop
- Intel Core i5-11400Alt
Better IPC and newer platform features.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
Superior gaming and productivity performance.
Much cheaper with only slightly lower clocks.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 3700XAlt
More cores for multi-threaded workloads.
Intel Core i7-8700B
- AMD Ryzen 7 2700ERival
Compact Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-8700Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8500BRival
Compact Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 7 2700URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-7700BRival
Compact Desktop
- Intel Core i7-10700BAlt
Successor with 2 more cores.
- Mac Studio M1Alt
Vastly superior performance and efficiency.
- Intel NUC 12 ProAlt
Modern alternative with 12th Gen performance.
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800H Mini PCAlt
Better integrated graphics and efficiency.
- Mac mini M2Alt
Current generation, much faster.
Our Verdict on Each
Offering near-flagship i5 clock speeds out of the box, the i5-10600 is an excellent choice for gamers who want top-tier performance without needing to overclock.
Best for: The Intel Core i5-10600 is recommended for gamers and power users who want maximum out-of-the-box single-threaded performance without the hassle of overclocking. Its 4.8 GHz turbo boost makes it exceptionally capable for high-refresh-rate 1080p gaming, easily keeping up with high-end GPUs. It is an excellent choice for pre-built systems or custom builds where the user wants top-tier i5 performance but doesn't want to spend extra on a Z-series motherboard and expensive cooling required for an unlocked K-series chip. Because it hits such high frequencies, a decent aftermarket cooler is recommended to sustain boost clocks. It is perfect for users who value instant, reliable performance for gaming and daily tasks, though those needing PCIe 4.0 should look to newer generations.
Read the full reviewA highly capable BGA processor that brought real desktop performance to compact systems like the 2018 Mac mini.
Best for: Purchasing a used 2018 Mac mini for a home server or dev machine.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-10600 or Intel Core i7-8700B?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-8700B comes out ahead with a score of 8.8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-10600 or Intel Core i7-8700B?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-10600 leads with a gaming performance score of 88/100 among Intel Core i5-10600 and Intel Core i7-8700B.
Do Intel Core i5-10600 and Intel Core i7-8700B use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-10600: LGA 1200, Intel Core i7-8700B: Intel BGA 1440), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-10600 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-10600 (16,700), Intel Core i7-8700B (15,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.