Core i7-8700 vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D

Intel

Core i7-8700

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2017
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

8 Cores16 Thrd120 WWMax: 5 GHz2023
Ryzen family
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Core i7-8700 vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i7-8700 vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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 Ryzen 7 7800X3D: 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

  • Costs $146 less on MSRP ($303 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 120W, a 55W reduction.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 7800X3D across 37 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (7,969 vs 18,500).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.1 vs 76.4 PassMark/$ ($303 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Ryzen 7 7800X3D moves to AM5 and DDR5.

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +57.3% higher average FPS across 37 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Delivers 81.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 76.4 vs 42.1 PassMark/$ ($449 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.
  • 75% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 48.2% HIGHER MSRP
    $449 MSRPvs$303 MSRP
  • 84.6% higher power demand at 120W vs 65W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-8700.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 7800X3D better than Core i7-8700?
Yes. Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 57.3% average FPS lead across 37 shared CPU game tests in our data, 132.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 169.0% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 57.3% more average FPS across 37 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 96 MB versus 12 MB.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the stronger fit. You are getting 132.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 700% larger total L3 cache (96 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 7800X3D comes in 48.2% more expensive on MSRP at $449 MSRP versus $303 MSRP, and it still gives you a 57.3% average FPS lead across 37 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 81.5% better value on MSRP (76.4 vs 42.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 7800X3D makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017), a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 3D V-Cache and a much larger 96 MB L3 cache instead of 12 MB, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-8700 vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 34,293 points. Launch price was $449.

Processing Power

The Core i7-8700 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-8700 versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — a 8.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D (base: 3.2 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Core i7-8700 uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8700 scores 12,747 against the Ryzen 7 7800X3D's 34,293 — a 91.6% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 7,969 vs 18,500 (79.6% advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,535 vs 2,700, a 55% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,200 vs 15,000 (83% advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D). L3 cache: 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700 vs 96 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

FeatureCore i7-8700Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz
5 GHz+9%
Base Clock
3.2 GHz
4.4 GHz+38%
L3 Cache
12288 kB
96 MB (total)+700%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+25500%
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
5 nm-64%
Architecture
Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)
Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023)
PassMark
12,747
34,293+169%
Cinebench R23 Multi
7,969
18,500+132%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,535
2,700+76%
Geekbench 6 Multi
6,200
15,000+142%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8700 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-8700 versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports 95% 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. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-8700) vs 28 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 300-series (Core i7-8700) and X670E,X670,B650E,B650,A620 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D).

FeatureCore i7-8700Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Socket
LGA1151
AM5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR5-5200+95%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
28+75%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-8700) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 7800X3D). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-8700) and AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core) (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-8700 targets Gaming, Ryzen 7 7800X3D targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-8700 rivals Ryzen 5 2600; Ryzen 7 7800X3D rivals Intel Core i7-14700K.

FeatureCore i7-8700Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-8700 was priced at $303, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D came in at $449. On launch pricing ($303 vs $449), Core i7-8700 was $146 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-8700 delivers 42.1 pts/$ vs 76.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — making the Ryzen 7 7800X3D the 57.9% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-8700Ryzen 7 7800X3D
MSRP
$303-33%
$449
Performance per Dollar
42.1
76.4+81%
Release Date
2017
2023

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