Core i7-8700B vs Xeon E5-4657L v2

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 i7-8700B vs Xeon E5-4657L v2 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 i7-8700B vs Xeon E5-4657L v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-8700B

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.9% 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 E5-4657L v2 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-4657L v2, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $303 MSRP, while Xeon E5-4657L v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-4657L v2

2014

Why buy it

✅+150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8700B across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (11,613 vs 11,795).
❌76.9% higher power demand at 115W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-8700B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8700B better than Xeon E5-4657L v2?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-4657L v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-8700B is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-8700B is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8700B is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i7-8700B is the better buy right now. Core i7-8700B comes in at an unclear MSRP at $303 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (38.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-8700B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 12/24. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-8700B vs Xeon E5-4657L v2 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-8700B

The Core i7-8700B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 11,795 points. Launch price was $303.

Xeon E5-4657L v2

The Xeon E5-4657L v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600, DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 11,613 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-8700B packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-4657L v2 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E5-4657L v2 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-8700B versus 2.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-4657L v2 — a 45.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-8700B (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-8700B is built on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-8700B scores 11,795 against the Xeon E5-4657L v2's 11,613 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i7-8700B. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-8700B vs 30 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E5-4657L v2.

Feature	Core i7-8700B	Xeon E5-4657L v2
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 24+100%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+59%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+33%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	30 MB Intel® Smart Cache+150%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	—
PassMark	11,795+2%	11,613

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8700B uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-4657L v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-8700B	Xeon E5-4657L v2
Socket	BGA1440	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-8700B) / not specified (Xeon E5-4657L v2). The Core i7-8700B includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-4657L v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-8700B targets Mobile.