Core i7-8700K vs Ryzen 5 3600
Core i7-8700K
Ryzen 5 3600
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-8700K
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 3600
Why is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Core i7-8700K?
Comparing the legendary Core i7-8700K to the Ryzen 5 3600 shows a classic battle of older high-end vs newer mid-range. For pure gaming, the i7-8700K frequently matches or slightly exceeds the Ryzen 5 3600 thanks to its superior clock speeds and mature 14nm architecture. It remains a surprisingly capable gaming CPU even years after its release.
The Ryzen 5 3600 wins on platform longevity and modern technical features. It supports PCIe 4.0 and offers a much better upgrade path on the AM4 socket. While the i7-8700K is a world-class icon of performance, its platform is effectively at a dead end. For most users today, the Ryzen 5 3600 is the smarter "foundation" choice, while the i7-8700K remains a fantastic secondary-market find for pure 1080p gaming.
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-8700K | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($160) | ✅ More affordable ($80) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Matisse (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-8700K | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+161%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($160) | ✅ More affordable ($80) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-8700K and Ryzen 5 3600
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.
Ryzen 5 3600
The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-8700K and Ryzen 5 3600 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-8700K versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 11.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-8700K (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-8700K uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8700K scores 13,572 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 26.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. L3 cache: 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700K vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | Core i7-8700K | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.7 GHz+12% | 4.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.7 GHz+3% | 3.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12288 kB | 32 MB (total)+167% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512K (per core)+100% |
| Process | 14 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) | Matisse (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 13,572 | 17,685+30% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 9,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,295 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,898 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-8700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-8700K) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-8700K) and AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600).
| Feature | Core i7-8700K | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 24+50% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-8700K) / Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). The Core i7-8700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.
| Feature | Core i7-8700K | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | Yes |
| Target Use | — | Gaming/Budget Workstation |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-8700K launched at $359 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 3600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($160 vs $80), the Ryzen 5 3600 is $80 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-8700K delivers 84.8 pts/$ vs 221.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 89.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-8700K | Ryzen 5 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $359 | $199-45% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $160 | $80-50% |
| Performance per Dollar | 84.8 | 221.1+161% |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2019 |
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