CPU Comparison

Intel Core i7-8670 vs Intel Core i7-8700K

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.

Intel · Core i7
Intel Core i7-8670
6C / 12T4.4 GHz65 W
8.5
Full review
Top pick
Intel · Core i7
Intel Core i7-8700K
6C / 12T4.7 GHz95 W
9.5
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Desktop
Desktop
Segment
Desktop
Desktop Enthusiast
Generation
Core i7 (Coffee Lake)
Core i7 (Coffee Lake)
Launched
2018
2017
Status
End-of-life
End-of-life
Codename
Coffee Lake
Coffee Lake
Series
Core i7
Core i7
Family
8th Generation
8th Generation
Predecessor
Intel Core i7-7700
Intel Core i7-7700K
Successor
Intel Core i7-9700
Intel Core i7-9700K

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
6
6
Threads
12
12
Base Clock
3.1 GHz
3.7 GHz
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
4.7 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
12 MB
12 MB
TDP
65 W
95 W
Architecture
Architecture
Coffee Lake
Coffee Lake
Process Node
14nm
14nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR4
DDR4
Memory Speed
2666 MT/s
2666 MT/s
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
128 GB
128 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
Intel Socket 1151
Intel Socket 1151
PCIe Version
Gen 3
Gen 3
PCIe Lanes
16
16
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
Unlocked
No
Yes

Performance Compared

Productivity

Intel Core i7-867088

12 threads make quick work of office and compiling tasks.

Intel Core i7-8700KBest90

12 threads and high clocks make quick work of compiling and rendering.

Gaming

Intel Core i7-867085

Handles modern games easily when paired with a mid-to-high-end GPU.

Intel Core i7-8700KBest92

Still handles modern GPUs and high-refresh-rate gaming with ease.

Virtualization

Intel Core i7-867085

Capable of running multiple VMs smoothly.

Intel Core i7-8700KBest88

Great for home labs and virtualization.

Efficiency

Intel Core i7-8670Best85

Good efficiency within the 65W envelope.

Intel Core i7-8700K70

Consumes more power than newer generations when overclocked.

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i7-8670Limited
  • No AI hardware
  • Standard CPU inference
Intel Core i7-8700KLimited
  • No AI hardware
  • Strong CPU inference due to high clocks

Content Creation

Intel Core i7-8670Good
Premiere ProPhotoshopBlenderCode Compilation
Intel Core i7-8700KVery Good
Premiere ProBlenderUnreal EngineOBS Studio

Gaming

Intel Core i7-8670Very Good
  • Won't bottleneck RTX 3060 or RX 6600 class GPUs
  • High turbo boost ensures smooth frame times
  • Great for 60Hz and 144Hz gaming
Intel Core i7-8700KExcellent
  • Won't bottleneck RTX 3080/4080 class GPUs
  • Excellent for 144Hz+ gaming
  • Overclocking increases frame rates further

Industry Impact

Gaming
High
Very High
Workstations
Moderate
High
Content Creation
High
High
Virtualization
Moderate
High

Best CPU by Use Case

1080p Gaming
Excellent
Office Work
Excellent
Programming
Excellent
Light Streaming
Very Good
4K Video Editing
Fair
144Hz Gaming
Excellent
Overclocking
Excellent
Live Streaming
Very Good
3D Rendering
Good
VR Gaming
Excellent

Target Audience

Gamers
Targeted
Targeted
Content Creators
Targeted
Targeted
Developers
Targeted
Targeted
Workstation Users
Targeted
Streamers
Targeted
Targeted
Office / Productivity
Targeted
Students
Targeted

Strengths & Weaknesses

Intel Core i7-8670

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
Intel Core i7-8700K

Pros

  • Unlocked for overclocking
  • Excellent single-core performance
  • 6 cores / 12 threads
  • Great for high-refresh gaming

Cons

  • Runs hot under load
  • Requires delidding for extreme OC
  • Older 14nm process
  • No PCIe 4.0

Competitors & Alternatives

Intel Core i7-8670

Intel Core i7-8700K

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 review

An iconic processor that brought 6 cores to the mainstream, offering incredible overclocking headroom and gaming performance that holds up today.

Best for: Legacy system upgrade for high-refresh gaming without spending on a new platform.

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Intel Core i7-8670 or Intel Core i7-8700K?

Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-8700K comes out ahead with a score of 9.5/10. 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 i7-8670 or Intel Core i7-8700K?

For gaming, the Intel Core i7-8700K leads with a gaming performance score of 92/100 among Intel Core i7-8670 and Intel Core i7-8700K.

Which uses less power?

The Intel Core i7-8670 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-8670 (65 W), Intel Core i7-8700K (95 W).

Do Intel Core i7-8670 and Intel Core i7-8700K use the same socket?

Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel Socket 1151 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.

Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

The Intel Core i7-8700K posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-8670 (14,000), Intel Core i7-8700K (16,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.