Core i5-8500 vs Core i7-7700K
Core i5-8500
Core i7-7700K
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8500
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-7700K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-8500 | Core i7-7700K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($80) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-8500 | Core i7-7700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+73%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($80) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-8500 and Core i7-7700K
Core i5-8500
The Core i5-8500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). 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: 9,521 points. Launch price was $202.
Core i7-7700K
The Core i7-7700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 91 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,625 points. Launch price was $339.
Processing Power
The Core i5-8500 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i7-7700K offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-8500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8500 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-7700K — a 9.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-7700K (base: 3 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i5-8500 uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-7700K uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8500 scores 9,521 against the Core i7-7700K's 9,625 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i7-7700K. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-7700K.
| Feature | Core i5-8500 | Core i7-7700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 6+50% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.1 GHz | 4.5 GHz+10% |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz | 4.2 GHz+40% |
| L3 Cache | 9 MB (total)+13% | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 9,521 | 9,625+1% |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.
| Feature | Core i5-8500 | Core i7-7700K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-8500 launched at $192 MSRP, while the Core i7-7700K debuted at $305. At current prices ($80 vs $140), the Core i5-8500 is $60 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8500 delivers 119.0 pts/$ vs 68.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-7700K — making the Core i5-8500 the 53.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-8500 | Core i7-7700K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $192-37% | $305 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $80-43% | $140 |
| Performance per Dollar | 119.0+73% | 68.8 |
| Release Date | 2018 | 2017 |
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