Core i7-8700K vs Core i9-9880H

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 i7-8700K vs Core i9-9880H 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 i7-8700K vs Core i9-9880H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-8700K

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Core i9-9880H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $359 MSRP, while Core i9-9880H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌111.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 45W.

Core i9-9880H

2019

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 95W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,531 vs 13,572).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-8700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9880H better than Core i7-8700K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-9880H is ahead with a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8700K pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Core i9-9880H 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 i7-8700K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i9-9880H is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i9-9880H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $359 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-8700K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (37.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i9-9880H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-8700K vs Core i9-9880H Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-8700K

The Core i7-8700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB. L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,572 points. Launch price was $359.

Core i9-9880H

The Core i9-9880H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,531 points. Launch price was $556.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-8700K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-9880H offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-9880H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-8700K versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-9880H — a 2.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-9880H (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i7-8700K uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-9880H uses Coffee Lake-HR (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8700K scores 13,572 against the Core i9-9880H's 13,531 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-8700K. L3 cache: 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700K vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9880H.

Feature	Core i7-8700K	Core i9-9880H
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz	4.8 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+61%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	12288 kB	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Coffee Lake-HR (2019)
PassMark	13,572	13,531

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-9880H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.