Core i3-13100T vs Core i7-8700

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-13100T vs Core i7-8700 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-13100T vs Core i7-8700: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-13100T

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $169 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
✅Delivers 127.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 95.5 vs 42.1 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8700 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-8700 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-8700.

Core i7-8700

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +20.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i3-13100T needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i3-13100T.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,747 vs 12,798).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.1 vs 95.5 PassMark/$ ($303 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i3-13100T moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-13100T better than Core i7-8700?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8700 is ahead with a 20.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-13100T pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-13100T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-13100T is the better buy right now. Core i3-13100T comes in $169 cheaper on MSRP at $134 MSRP versus $303 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-8700 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 20.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 127.0% better value on MSRP (95.5 vs 42.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-13100T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-13100T vs Core i7-8700 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-13100T

The Core i3-13100T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 12,798 points. Launch price was $134.

Core i7-8700

The Core i7-8700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB. L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 12,747 points. Launch price was $303.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-13100T packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-8700 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-8700 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-13100T versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-8700 — a 9.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-8700 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i3-13100T uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-8700 uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-13100T scores 12,798 against the Core i7-8700's 12,747 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-13100T. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-13100T vs 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700.

Feature	Core i3-13100T	Core i7-8700
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.6 GHz+10%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.2 GHz+28%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12288 kB
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)
PassMark	12,798	12,747
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	7,969
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,535
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	6,200

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-13100T uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-8700 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-13100T	Core i7-8700
Socket	LGA1700	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-13100T) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-8700). The Core i7-8700 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i3-13100T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-8700 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-8700 rivals Ryzen 5 2600.

Feature	Core i3-13100T	Core i7-8700
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-13100T was priced at $134, while the Core i7-8700 came in at $303. On launch pricing ($134 vs $303), Core i3-13100T was $169 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-13100T delivers 95.5 pts/$ vs 42.1 pts/$ for the Core i7-8700 — making the Core i3-13100T the 77.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-13100T	Core i7-8700
MSRP	$134-56%	$303
Performance per Dollar	95.5+127%	42.1
Release Date	2023	2017

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