Core i7-8700B vs Xeon Platinum 8481C

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 Platinum 8481C 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 Platinum 8481C: 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

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 65W instead of 350W, a 285W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon Platinum 8481C needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No 3D V-Cache or similar L3 advantage, which matters in CPU-limited gaming (12 MB vs 105 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Platinum 8481C, which brings 56 cores / 112 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $303 MSRP, while Xeon Platinum 8481C mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Xeon Platinum 8481C moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Platinum 8481C

2023

Why buy it

✅Massive L3 cache advantage with 105 MB vs 12 MB, which is a real win in CPU-limited gaming.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 56 cores / 112 threads.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (11,681 vs 11,795).
❌438.5% higher power demand at 350W 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 Platinum 8481C?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Platinum 8481C 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8700B is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% 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 $303 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon Platinum 8481C is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (38.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon Platinum 8481C makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2018), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of BGA1440, and 3D V-Cache and a much larger 105 MB L3 cache instead of 12 MB. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-8700B vs Xeon Platinum 8481C 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 Platinum 8481C

The Xeon Platinum 8481C is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 56 cores and 112 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 105 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 350 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 11,681 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-8700B packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8481C offers 56 cores / 112 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8481C has 50 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-8700B versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8481C — a 19% clock advantage for the Core i7-8700B (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-8700B uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8481C uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8700B scores 11,795 against the Xeon Platinum 8481C's 11,681 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-8700B. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-8700B vs 105 MB on the Xeon Platinum 8481C.

Feature	Core i7-8700B	Xeon Platinum 8481C
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	56 / 112+833%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+21%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+60%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	105 MB+775%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	11,795	11,681

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8700B uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8481C uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-8700B	Xeon Platinum 8481C
Socket	BGA1440	LGA4677
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 Platinum 8481C). The Core i7-8700B includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon Platinum 8481C requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-8700B targets Mobile.