CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-8420 vs Core i7-7700
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-8420 is a mainstream six-core desktop processor that quietly filled the gaps in Intel's 8th Generation Coffee Lake lineup, offering a compelling mix of clock speeds and core counts for budget-conscious users.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles office tasks and moderate programming workloads efficiently.
Gaming
Capable of smooth 1080p gaming when paired with a mid-range discrete GPU.
Virtualization
Good for basic VMs, but 6 threads limit heavy parallel virtualization.
Efficiency
Balanced performance within a standard 65W power envelope.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI-specific hardware
- CPU inference is slow due to lack of threads
No data
Content Creation
No data
Gaming
- Excellent for budget gaming builds
- Handles eSports titles flawlessly
- May bottleneck high-end modern GPUs at 1080p
No data
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio historically
- Strong single-core speeds for gaming
- Includes integrated UHD Graphics 630
- Standard 65W TDP is easy to cool
- Wide compatibility with 300-series motherboards
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading (only 6 threads)
- Locked multiplier prevents overclocking
- End-of-life platform (LGA 1151)
- Officially limited to DDR4-2666
- Not supported by Windows 11 officially
Pros
- Low 65W TDP
- Good single-core performance
- Includes integrated graphics
- Wide compatibility with LGA 1151 motherboards
Cons
- Only 4 cores
- Locked multiplier
- Older 14nm process
- Limited multi-threaded performance by modern standards
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-8420
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8400Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8500Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Intel Core i7-7700Rival
Mainstream Desktop
Slightly newer generation with similar specifications.
Compare head-to-headNewer platform with 8 threads and similar gaming performance.
Compare head-to-head
Core i7-7700
- AMD Ryzen 5 1500XRival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-7600KRival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-6700Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD FX-8350Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Intel Core i7-7700KAlt
Unlocked for overclocking and higher base clocks.
More budget-friendly 4-core option.
Compare head-to-headNext-gen upgrade with 6 cores.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Much newer architecture with better IPC.
Our Verdict on Each
A highly cost-effective 6-core processor that delivers excellent value for mainstream users, though lacking Hyper-Threading limits its heavy multitasking ceiling.
Best for: Upgrading an older LGA 1151 system on a budget, or building an office/HTPC machine.
Read the full reviewA solid quad-core processor from 2017 that still handles everyday tasks and older games well, though it struggles with modern multi-threaded workloads.
Best for: Upgrading an existing LGA 1151 system on a tight budget
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-8420 or Core i7-7700?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-8420 comes out ahead with a score of 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 i5-8420 or Core i7-7700?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-8420 leads with a gaming performance score of 78/100 among Intel Core i5-8420 and Core i7-7700.
Do Intel Core i5-8420 and Core i7-7700 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-8420: Intel Socket 1151, Core i7-7700: LGA 1151), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-8420 has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-8420 (6 cores), Core i7-7700 (4 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Core i7-7700 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core i7-7700 (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.