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 i7-8700 vs Core i7-10700T 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 i7-8700 vs Core i7-10700T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-8700

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $52 less on MSRP ($303 MSRP vs $355 MSRP).
✅Delivers 15.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 42.1 vs 36.3 PassMark/$ ($303 MSRP vs $355 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i7-10700T.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (6,200 vs 6,814).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Core i7-10700T

2020

Why buy it

✅+9.9% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8700 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 36.3 vs 42.1 PassMark/$ ($355 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-8700.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10700T better than Core i7-8700?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8700 is ahead with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-10700T pulls ahead with 9.9% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i7-10700T also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-10700T is the stronger fit. You are getting 9.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i7-10700T is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-10700T comes in 17.2% more expensive on MSRP at $355 MSRP versus $303 MSRP, and it still gives you 9.9% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i7-8700 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 15.9% better value on paper (42.1 vs 36.3 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i7-10700T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB), 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 i7-8700 vs Core i7-10700T Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i7-10700T

The Core i7-10700T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2020 (5 years ago). It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 12,891 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-8700 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-10700T offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-10700T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-8700 versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-10700T — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-8700 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-8700 is built on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-8700 scores 12,747 against the Core i7-10700T's 12,891 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i7-10700T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,535 vs 1,531, a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-8700 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,200 vs 6,814 (9.4% advantage for the Core i7-10700T). L3 cache: 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700 vs 16 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i7-10700T.

Feature	Core i7-8700	Core i7-10700T
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+2%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+60%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	12288 kB	16 MB Intel® Smart Cache+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	—
PassMark	12,747	12,891+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	7,969	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,535	1,531
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,200	6,814+10%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8700 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-10700T uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-8700 versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i7-10700T — the Core i7-10700T supports 10% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: 300-series (Core i7-8700) and LGA1200 (Core i7-10700T).

Feature	Core i7-8700	Core i7-10700T
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2933+10%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-8700) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-10700T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-8700 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-8700 rivals Ryzen 5 2600.

Feature	Core i7-8700	Core i7-10700T
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-8700 was priced at $303, while the Core i7-10700T came in at $355. On launch pricing ($303 vs $355), Core i7-8700 was $52 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-8700 delivers 42.1 pts/$ vs 36.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-10700T — making the Core i7-8700 the 14.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-8700	Core i7-10700T
MSRP	$303-15%	$355
Performance per Dollar	42.1+16%	36.3
Release Date	2017	2020

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