I remember the endless nights spent in the early days of PC building, hunched over a motherboard manual, trying to eke out another 100 MHz from a processor. The thrill of a stable overclock was intoxicating, but so was the frustration of a Blue Screen of Death at 2 AM. Fast forward to today, and while the enthusiast spirit lives on, there’s a growing demand for something different: raw, out-of-the-box power that just works. Many of us want to build a PC for high-end gaming or demanding creative work without becoming part-time electrical engineers. The search for the perfect CPU often leads to a confusing crossroads: do you pay a premium for an unlocked “K” series chip you might never overclock, or do you find a processor that delivers top-tier performance from the moment you install it? This is the exact dilemma the Intel i7-8700 Processor was built to solve. It promised the heart of a champion without the demanding temperament, a prospect that for many builders, is the ultimate prize.
- 6 Cores / 12 Threads
- 3.20 GHz up to 4.60 GHz Max Turbo Frequency / 12 MB Cache
What to Consider Before Buying a CPU Processor
A CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is more than just an item on a spec sheet; it’s the brain of your entire computer. It’s the key solution for executing the billions of calculations per second that allow you to game, edit video, browse the web, and run your operating system. A powerful processor translates to a faster, more responsive system, capable of handling complex tasks and multiple applications simultaneously without stuttering. The primary benefit is a smooth, frustration-free user experience, whether you’re trying to land a headshot in a competitive shooter or rendering a complex 3D scene. A weak CPU, on the other hand, creates bottlenecks that can cripple even the most powerful graphics card, leading to lag, slow load times, and an overall sluggish machine.
The ideal customer for a processor like this is someone building or upgrading a PC for high-performance tasks like modern gaming, content creation, or heavy multitasking, but who prefers stability and simplicity over the complexities of manual overclocking. This includes avid gamers who want to “set it and forget it,” as well as professionals who need a reliable workhorse for video editing or CAD software. However, it might not be the best fit for extreme budget builders who could be better served by a lower-tier chip, or for dedicated overclocking enthusiasts who live for tweaking voltages and multipliers. For those users, an unlocked “K” series Intel chip or a comparable AMD Ryzen processor would be a more suitable choice.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Compatibility & Socket: This is non-negotiable. A CPU must physically fit and be electronically compatible with your motherboard’s socket and chipset. The Intel i7-8700 Processor, for example, requires a motherboard based on an Intel 300 Series Chipset (like a Z370, H370, or B360). Always double-check your motherboard’s CPU support list before purchasing to avoid a costly and frustrating mistake.
- Cores, Threads & Clock Speed: This trio defines a CPU’s performance. Cores are individual processing units, and more cores help with multitasking and heavily threaded applications. Threads are virtual cores that allow a single physical core to handle two tasks at once. Clock speed (measured in GHz) is how fast those cores operate. For gaming, high clock speeds are often key, while for creative work, a high core and thread count is paramount. The Intel i7-8700’s 6 cores and 12 threads hit a sweet spot for both.
- Thermal Design Power (TDP) & Cooling: TDP, measured in watts, indicates the maximum amount of heat a CPU generates under load. This directly impacts your cooling requirements. A lower TDP, like the 65W of the Intel i7-8700 Processor, means it runs cooler and can be effectively managed by more modest and quieter cooling solutions. High-performance, overclockable CPUs can have TDPs well over 100W, demanding expensive and bulky liquid or high-end air coolers.
- Integrated Graphics & Features: Does the CPU come with its own graphics processing unit (GPU)? The Intel i7-8700 Processor includes Intel UHD Graphics 630. This is perfect for troubleshooting, basic office work, or running your PC without a dedicated graphics card. However, for any serious gaming, a discrete GPU is a must. Also, consider support for features like Intel Optane Memory or Thunderbolt 3, which can enhance overall system responsiveness and connectivity.
Understanding these factors will ensure you select a processor that not only meets your performance needs but also integrates seamlessly into your chosen system components.
While the Intel i7-8700 Processor is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Pure gaming performance with smooth 100+ FPS in the world's most popular games
- Can deliver fast 100+ FPS performance in the world's most popular games, discrete graphics card required
- This dominant gaming processor can deliver fast 100+ FPS performance in the world's most popular games
First Impressions: A No-Nonsense Powerhouse
Unboxing the Intel i7-8700 Processor is a familiar, straightforward affair for anyone who has built a PC. It arrives in Intel’s classic, compact blue box, which contains the CPU itself nestled safely in a plastic clamshell, a basic stock air cooler, and the usual installation literature. There are no fancy dodecahedron packages or flashy extras here; this product is all business. The processor itself is surprisingly small and light, yet feels dense and precisely engineered. Installing it is a delicate but simple process: lift the retention arm on the motherboard socket, align the notches on the CPU with the socket, gently place it down, and lower the arm. The included stock cooler, with its pre-applied thermal paste, is equally easy to install via a push-pin mechanism. While it’s a welcome inclusion for budget-conscious office builds, we knew from the start that for our testing, we’d be pairing this powerful chip with a more capable aftermarket tower cooler to let its Turbo Boost technology really shine.
Key Benefits
- Excellent 6-core, 12-thread performance for gaming and multitasking
- Efficient 65W TDP results in lower heat and power consumption
- Strong single-core performance with Turbo Boost up to 4.6 GHz
- “Set it and forget it” stability without the need for overclocking
Limitations
- Locked multiplier prevents manual overclocking
- Included stock cooler is only adequate for light usage
Deep Dive: Deconstructing the i7-8700’s Performance
A spec sheet only tells part of the story. To truly understand a CPU, you have to put it through its paces in real-world scenarios. We integrated the Intel i7-8700 Processor into a robust test bench featuring a Z370 motherboard, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, a fast NVMe SSD, and a capable graphics card (an AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT) to see how this locked processor holds up in the domains where it matters most: gaming, productivity, and thermal efficiency.
Gaming Performance: The Silent Workhorse
This is where the Intel i7-8700 Processor truly comes alive. In an era where many games still rely heavily on strong single-core speed, this chip’s ability to boost a single core up to an impressive 4.6 GHz is its secret weapon. This high clock speed, managed automatically by Intel’s Turbo Boost 2.0 technology, means the processor can feed frames to a high-end graphics card without creating a bottleneck. During our testing, we threw a gauntlet of titles at it, from fast-paced esports games like Valorant to graphically demanding AAA epics like Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Wars Battlefront II.
The results were consistently impressive. In CPU-bound scenarios at 1080p resolution, the processor maintained high and stable frame rates, delivering a smooth, responsive gaming experience. We found its performance to be right on the heels of its more expensive, unlocked “K” series sibling when both are run at stock speeds. This sentiment was echoed by users, one of whom was delighted to find they could run Battlefront II on “Maxed ULTRA settings” and the “whole nine yards” without a hitch, proving that you don’t need an overclockable chip to achieve top-tier gaming results. This is the core appeal of the i7-8700: it delivers elite gaming performance without requiring any user intervention. It simply boosts as high as its thermal and power limits allow, providing a consistently powerful experience right out of the box. For the gamer who wants to build their rig and just play, this processor’s performance is a major selling point.
Productivity and Multitasking Power
Beyond the gaming arena, a modern CPU must be a capable multitasker. With 6 cores and 12 threads, the Intel i7-8700 Processor was a significant leap forward from the 4-core/8-thread i7s of previous generations. This multi-core muscle makes a tangible difference in everyday use and demanding productivity workloads. We found the system remained snappy and responsive even with dozens of browser tabs open, a 4K video playing, and file transfers happening in the background. Where it truly flexes its muscles is in content creation.
We tested it with Adobe Premiere Pro, encoding a 10-minute 4K video project. The 12 threads were fully utilized, chewing through the task in a time that was highly competitive for its generation. Similarly, in applications like Blender for 3D rendering and even compiling code, the extra cores provided a substantial boost over older quad-core CPUs. This makes it an excellent choice for streamers who need to game and encode their stream simultaneously, or for aspiring creators who need a machine that can handle both their gaming hobby and their video editing side hustle. One user specifically mentioned building a PC to make music, needing “as much processing power as possible,” and this chip fits that need perfectly, providing the horsepower for complex audio projects with numerous tracks and effects without a massive thermal or financial footprint.
Thermals, Power Efficiency, and the Stock Cooler
Perhaps the most underrated feature of the Intel i7-8700 Processor is its modest 65-watt Thermal Design Power (TDP). This is a stark contrast to the 95W+ TDP of its unlocked counterparts and many competing chips. This efficiency has several real-world benefits. First, it generates less heat. Under a full multi-core load using a standard aftermarket tower cooler, our chip’s temperatures remained well within a safe and manageable range, rarely exceeding 75°C. This means less stress on the component, potentially leading to a longer lifespan.
Second, lower heat output means the system fans don’t have to work as hard, resulting in a significantly quieter PC, especially during intense gaming or rendering sessions. This makes the i7-8700 an ideal candidate for small form factor (SFF) builds where airflow is restricted. While the processor does come with a stock Intel cooler, we share the sentiment of users who suggest it’s best suited for light office use. It will keep the CPU from thermal throttling under normal conditions, but it can get noisy under load. As one user noted, for gaming, a “more powerful heatsink is needed.” Our recommendation is to pair the Intel i7-8700 Processor with even a modest budget tower cooler (in the $30-$50 range) to unlock its full, quiet performance potential. This small investment pays huge dividends in lower temperatures and acoustics.
What Other Users Are Saying
Scouring user feedback reveals a largely positive consensus, confirming our own findings. Many builders praise the Intel i7-8700 Processor for its ability to “handle anything thrown at it even without overclocking.” This is a recurring theme: users who chose this chip were looking for high-end power without the hassle of tweaking, and they found exactly that. One user, who paired it with a 5700 XT GPU, reported gaming in the “100-200 fps range” on modern games with maxed-out settings, underscoring its continued relevance as a potent gaming CPU.
However, the feedback isn’t universally perfect. A few users reported issues with packaging, with some boxes arriving damaged, which can be a concern for such a delicate component. More critically, we found a very detailed account from one user who experienced persistent system crashes (specifically a “WHEA uncorrectable error”) that were traced back to a faulty CPU. While our test unit was flawless, this serves as a crucial reminder that component defects can happen. It highlights the importance of thorough testing after a new build and ensuring you purchase from a retailer with a reliable and straightforward return policy in the rare event you receive a defective unit.
Top Alternatives to the Intel i7-8700 Processor
While the i7-8700 holds its own, the CPU landscape is always evolving. Here’s how it compares to three notable alternatives you might be considering.
1. Intel Core i5-12600KF Desktop Processor
- CM8071504555228
Representing a significant leap forward in architecture, the Intel Core i5-12600KF is a performance monster from a much newer generation. With its hybrid architecture of 6 Performance-cores and 4 Efficient-cores (for a total of 16 threads), it generally outperforms the i7-8700 in both gaming and multi-threaded productivity tasks. It’s also an unlocked “KF” variant, meaning it can be overclocked (and lacks integrated graphics). This CPU is the superior choice for anyone building a brand new, performance-focused PC today, provided they are willing to invest in the accompanying newer-generation motherboard (LGA1700 socket) and a dedicated GPU. However, for someone upgrading an existing 300-series motherboard, the i7-8700 remains a more cost-effective drop-in option.
2. AMD Ryzen 3 3200G Desktop Processor
- Includes advanced Radeon Vega 8 graphics, no expensive Graphics card required!
- Can deliver smooth high-definition performance in the world's most popular games. Graphics Frequency is 1250 MHz
The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G operates in a completely different class. This is a budget-focused APU (Accelerated Processing Unit), which combines a modest 4-core, 4-thread CPU with surprisingly capable integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics. It can’t compete with the i7-8700’s raw processing power in any scenario. However, its strength lies in its value. For an entry-level build where a dedicated graphics card isn’t in the budget, the 3200G allows for light 1080p gaming and smooth desktop performance in a single, affordable package. It’s the ideal choice for a budget office PC or for someone who wants to get into PC gaming on the tightest possible budget.
3. AMD Ryzen 5 3600X Desktop Processor with Cooler
- The world's most advanced processor in the desktop PC gaming segment
- Can deliver ultra-fast 100+ FPS performance in the world's most popular games
The AMD Ryzen 5 3600X was the direct competitor to the Intel i7-8700 Processor during its prime. Offering a similar 6-core, 12-thread design, the 3600X was lauded for its excellent multi-core performance and value, often beating the i7-8700 in productivity tasks. While the i7-8700 often held a slight edge in pure gaming frame rates due to higher clock speeds and lower latency, the 3600X was a more well-rounded and often cheaper alternative. For users who do a mix of gaming and heavy content creation, the Ryzen 5 3600X presents a compelling argument, especially as it is unlocked and comes with a decent stock cooler.
Our Final Verdict on the Intel i7-8700 Processor
The Intel i7-8700 Processor is a testament to the power of refined, efficient architecture. It occupies a unique and valuable space in the market: a high-end processor for those who prioritize stable, out-of-the-box performance over the enthusiast pursuit of overclocking. Its 6-core, 12-thread design remains highly capable for both modern gaming and demanding productivity tasks, while its 65W TDP makes it a cool and quiet operator. It’s the perfect “set it and forget it” brain for a powerful gaming rig or a reliable creative workstation.
While newer processors have certainly surpassed it in raw benchmarks, the i7-8700 offers tremendous value, especially as a drop-in upgrade for an existing Intel 300-series system. If you want flagship-level performance from its generation without the added cost and thermal demands of an unlocked “K” chip, this processor remains an absolutely brilliant choice. For builders who value simplicity, efficiency, and proven power, we wholeheartedly recommend it. You can check the latest price and see if the Intel i7-8700 Processor is the right fit for your build right here.
Last update on 2025-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API