CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-8670 vs Intel Core i7-8700B
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-8670 is a mainstream desktop processor designed to deliver balanced performance for both gaming and productivity. As part of the 8th Gen Coffee Lake family, it features six cores and twelve threads, a significant upgrade over the previous generation's quad-core i7 designs. Operating at a base frequency of 3.1 GHz and boosting up to 4.4 GHz, it offers snappy single-threaded performance and solid multi-threaded capabilities. With a standard 65-watt TDP, it strikes an excellent balance between power consumption and heat generation, making it compatible with a wide range of affordable coolers. The inclusion of Intel UHD Graphics 630 allows for basic display functionality without a discrete GPU, though serious gamers and creators will want to pair it with a dedicated graphics card. This processor is tailored for users who demand reliable hexa-core performance for everyday tasks, moderate content creation, and a smooth 60 FPS gaming experience without paying a premium for the highest clock speeds.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
12 threads make quick work of office and compiling tasks.
Handles compiling, rendering, and multitasking effortlessly.
Gaming
Handles modern games easily when paired with a mid-to-high-end GPU.
Good for gaming if paired with an eGPU or external monitor.
Virtualization
Capable of running multiple VMs smoothly.
Great for running VMs in a compact server footprint.
Efficiency
Good efficiency within the 65W envelope.
Optimized power delivery for BGA designs.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- Standard CPU inference
- No AI hardware
- 12 threads help with CPU inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- Won't bottleneck RTX 3060 or RX 6600 class GPUs
- High turbo boost ensures smooth frame times
- Great for 60Hz and 144Hz gaming
- 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
- 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
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 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.
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
A 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 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 i7-8670 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 i7-8670 or Intel Core i7-8700B?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-8670 leads with a gaming performance score of 85/100 among Intel Core i7-8670 and Intel Core i7-8700B.
Do Intel Core i7-8670 and Intel Core i7-8700B use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-8670: Intel Socket 1151, Intel Core i7-8700B: Intel BGA 1440), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-8700B posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-8670 (14,000), Intel Core i7-8700B (15,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.