Core i7-8086K vs Core i7-10870H

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 i7-8086K vs Core i7-10870H 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 i7-8086K vs Core i7-10870H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-8086K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,069 vs 14,087).
❌
1.9% HIGHER MSRP
$425 MSRPvs$417 MSRP
❌111.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-10870H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-10870H

2020

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $8 less on MSRP ($417 MSRP vs $425 MSRP).
✅Draws 45W instead of 95W, a 50W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-8086K needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8086K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10870H better than Core i7-8086K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8086K is ahead with a 10.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-10870H pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-10870H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i7-10870H is the better buy right now. Core i7-10870H comes in $8 cheaper on MSRP at $417 MSRP versus $425 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-8086K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 10.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 2.0% better value on MSRP (33.8 vs 33.1 PassMark/$), 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 i7-10870H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-8086K vs Core i7-10870H Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-8086K

The Core i7-8086K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 June 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 4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). 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: 14,069 points. Launch price was $425.

Core i7-10870H

The Core i7-10870H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 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: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,087 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-8086K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-10870H offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-10870H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-8086K versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-10870H — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-8086K (base: 4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-8086K uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-10870H uses Comet Lake-H (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8086K scores 14,069 against the Core i7-10870H's 14,087 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-10870H. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-8086K	Core i7-10870H
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+4%	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+82%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Comet Lake-H (2020)
PassMark	14,069	14,087
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,594
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,228
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	6,822

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8086K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-10870H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-8086K	Core i7-10870H
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-8086K) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-10870H). The Core i7-10870H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-8086K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-10870H targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-10870H rivals Ryzen 7 4800H.

Feature	Core i7-8086K	Core i7-10870H
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-8086K was priced at $425, while the Core i7-10870H came in at $417. On launch pricing ($425 vs $417), Core i7-10870H was $8 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-8086K delivers 33.1 pts/$ vs 33.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-10870H — making the Core i7-10870H the 2% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-8086K	Core i7-10870H
MSRP	$425	$417-2%
Performance per Dollar	33.1	33.8+2%
Release Date	2018	2020

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