Core i5-10600 vs Core i7-8700K

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 i5-10600 vs Core i7-8700K 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 i5-10600 vs Core i7-8700K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-10600

2020

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $115 less on MSRP ($244 MSRP vs $359 MSRP).
✅Delivers 47.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 55.6 vs 37.8 PassMark/$ ($244 MSRP vs $359 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Core i7-8700K

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.5% 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 Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-10600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,572 vs 13,573).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.8 vs 55.6 PassMark/$ ($359 MSRP vs $244 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10600 better than Core i7-8700K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8700K is ahead with a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-10600 pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-10600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-10600 is the better buy right now. Core i5-10600 comes in $115 cheaper on MSRP at $244 MSRP versus $359 MSRP, and it still gives you 0% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-8700K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 47.1% better value on MSRP (55.6 vs 37.8 PassMark/$), 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 i5-10600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10600 vs Core i7-8700K Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-10600

The Core i5-10600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,573 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-8700K

The Core i7-8700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB. L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,572 points. Launch price was $359.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-10600 and Core i7-8700K share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-10600 versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-8700K — a 2.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-10600 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i5-10600 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-8700K uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10600 scores 13,573 against the Core i7-8700K's 13,572 — a 0% lead for the Core i5-10600. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-10600 vs 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700K.

Feature	Core i5-10600	Core i7-8700K
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+2%	4.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.7 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12288 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)
PassMark	13,573	13,572

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10600 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-10600	Core i7-8700K
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	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

The Core i7-8700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-10600 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i5-10600	Core i7-8700K
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics 630

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10600 was priced at $244, while the Core i7-8700K came in at $359. On launch pricing ($244 vs $359), Core i5-10600 was $115 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10600 delivers 55.6 pts/$ vs 37.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-8700K — making the Core i5-10600 the 38.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10600	Core i7-8700K
MSRP	$244-32%	$359
Performance per Dollar	55.6+47%	37.8
Release Date	2020	2017

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