CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-8600 vs Intel Core i7-8670
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-8600 is a 6-core, 6-thread desktop processor from the Coffee Lake family, offering a balanced blend of clock speed and efficiency for mainstream users.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Good for general office work and coding.
12 threads make quick work of office and compiling tasks.
Gaming
Can handle e-sports and older titles well.
Handles modern games easily when paired with a mid-to-high-end GPU.
Virtualization
Limited by 6 threads.
Capable of running multiple VMs smoothly.
Efficiency
Very low power draw for daily tasks.
Good efficiency within the 65W envelope.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Not designed for AI acceleration
- No AI hardware
- Standard CPU inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- Good for 1080p e-sports
- Lacks threads for modern AAA
- Requires a dedicated GPU for serious gaming
- Won't bottleneck RTX 3060 or RX 6600 class GPUs
- High turbo boost ensures smooth frame times
- Great for 60Hz and 144Hz gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Decent single-core speed
- Low 65W TDP
- Integrated graphics included
- Good for e-sports gaming
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading
- End-of-life platform
- Locked multiplier
- Only PCIe 3.0 support
Pros
- Excellent price-to-performance
- 6 cores / 12 threads
- Easy to cool (65W)
- Good turbo boost speeds
Cons
- Locked multiplier
- Older 14nm process
- Limited upgrade path on LGA 1151
- Marginal improvement over i7-8700
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-8600
- 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 i5-7600Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600XRival
Mainstream Desktop
Successor with slightly higher clocks.
Compare head-to-headModern budget CPU with faster single-core.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GAlt
Much stronger integrated graphics.
Unlocked variant for overclocking on the same socket.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i7-8670
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600Rival
Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600XRival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8600Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-8700Rival
Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 7 2700Rival
Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
Much faster single-core and newer platform.
- Intel Core i5-12400FAlt
Better performance and modern features.
Cheaper 10th gen alternative with similar performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 5700XAlt
More cores and better efficiency.
Our Verdict on Each
A reliable 6-core processor for basic tasks, but its lack of Hyper-Threading makes it a poor choice for modern multi-threaded workloads.
Best for: Budget upgrade for an LGA 1151 system
Read the full reviewA well-balanced 65W hexa-core CPU that offers excellent value for 1080p gaming and everyday productivity without the premium of K-series chips.
Best for: Upgrading an older LGA 1151 system for 1080p gaming.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-8600 or Intel Core i7-8670?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-8670 comes out ahead with a score of 8.5/10. 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 i5-8600 or Intel Core i7-8670?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-8670 leads with a gaming performance score of 85/100 among Intel Core i5-8600 and Intel Core i7-8670.
Do Intel Core i5-8600 and Intel Core i7-8670 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-8600: LGA 1151, Intel Core i7-8670: Intel Socket 1151), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-8670 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-8670 (14,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.