Core i7-8700 vs Xeon Gold 6128

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 Xeon Gold 6128 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 Xeon Gold 6128: 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: +10.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 115W, a 50W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon Gold 6128 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Xeon Gold 6128.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,747 vs 12,887).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 19 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $303 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6128 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon Gold 6128

2017

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅+60.4% larger total L3 cache (19 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8700 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌76.9% higher power demand at 115W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-8700 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-8700.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8700 better than Xeon Gold 6128?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6128 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-8700 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6128 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 60.4% larger total L3 cache (19 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i7-8700 is the better buy right now. Core i7-8700 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $303 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6128 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.1% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (42.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon Gold 6128 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 60.4% larger total L3 cache (19 MB vs 12 MB) 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 i7-8700 vs Xeon Gold 6128 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.

Xeon Gold 6128

The Xeon Gold 6128 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 12,887 points. Launch price was $1,697.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-8700 and Xeon Gold 6128 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-8700 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6128 — a 21.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-8700 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i7-8700 uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6128 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8700 scores 12,747 against the Xeon Gold 6128's 12,887 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon Gold 6128. L3 cache: 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700 vs 19.25 MB on the Xeon Gold 6128.

Feature	Core i7-8700	Xeon Gold 6128
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+24%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.4 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	12288 kB	19.25 MB+60%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+4167%	6 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	12,747	12,887+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	7,969	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,535	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,200	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8700 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6128 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-8700	Xeon Gold 6128
Socket	LGA1151	LGA3647
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

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-8700) / not specified (Xeon Gold 6128). The Core i7-8700 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon Gold 6128 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-8700 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-8700 rivals Ryzen 5 2600.