Intel® Core™ i7-8700 Processor

Overview

The Intel Core i7-8700 is an 8th-generation Coffee Lake desktop processor with 6 physical cores and 12 threads. It runs at a base clock of 3.2 GHz and uses Intel Turbo Boost up to 4.6 GHz on light loads, backed by 12MB of SmartCache. Built on Intel's 14nm++ process, the i7-8700 brings a notable uplift in multi-threaded performance over previous 4-core i7s while keeping a 65W TDP.

Performance and real-world use

With 6 cores and Hyper-Threading, the i7-8700 delivers strong single-threaded performance for games and snappy desktop responsiveness, while its multi-threaded capacity makes it a capable workhorse for content creation. Expect excellent 1080p gaming performance when paired with a modern discrete GPU — the CPU rarely bottlenecks at 1080p and becomes GPU-limited at most 1440p/4K gaming scenarios. For video editing and encoding, the 6 cores handle 1080p and light 4K timelines well; Intel Quick Sync on the integrated UHD Graphics 630 also accelerates fast transcodes when needed.

Platform & compatibility notes

The i7-8700 fits LGA1151 (300-series chipset) motherboards and supports dual-channel DDR4 memory up to DDR4-2666 natively. It provides 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes for a discrete GPU and supports Intel features such as Turbo Boost 2.0, Hyper-Threading, and Intel Optane Memory (with a compatible board) for responsive storage. The integrated UHD 630 GPU is suitable for basic display output, light multimedia and Quick Sync accelerated tasks, but gamers should pair the CPU with a dedicated GPU for serious gaming.

Specs summary

• Model: Intel Core i7-8700 (8th Gen Coffee Lake)
• Cores / Threads: 6 / 12
• Clocks: 3.2 GHz base, up to 4.6 GHz Turbo
• Cache: 12 MB Intel SmartCache
• TDP: 65 W
• Integrated GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 630 (with Quick Sync)
• Memory: Dual-channel DDR4 up to 2666 MHz
• Socket: LGA1151 (300-series chipset required)
• PCIe: 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes for discrete GPU

Who this CPU is best suited for

The i7-8700 is ideal for gamers building a strong 1080p gaming rig, creative users doing photo editing and moderate 4K video work, and general heavy multitaskers who want snappy performance without the power draw of higher-TDP chips. It suits builders upgrading 300-series systems and anyone who values strong single-core speed together with capable multi-core throughput.