Core i7-8700K vs Ryzen 9 5900H

Core i7-8700K vs Ryzen 9 5900H Performance Spectrum

Core i7-8700K

6 / 12

13,572

+0.5%

13,510

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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.

Core i7-8700K vs Ryzen 9 5900H 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 Ryzen 9 5900H: 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

✅Better for gaming: +6.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 9 5900H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $359 MSRP, while Ryzen 9 5900H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌111.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 45W.

Ryzen 9 5900H

2021

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,510 vs 13,572).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-8700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8700K better than Ryzen 9 5900H?

Yes. Core i7-8700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-8700K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.0% 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 i7-8700K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i7-8700K is the better buy right now. Core i7-8700K comes in at an unclear MSRP at $359 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (37.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 9 5900H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 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 Ryzen 9 5900H 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.

Ryzen 9 5900H

The Ryzen 9 5900H is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 January 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne U (Zen 3) (2021−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 13,510 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-8700K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900H offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 9 5900H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-8700K versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900H — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-8700K (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-8700K uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900H uses Cezanne U (Zen 3) (2021−2022) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8700K scores 13,572 against the Ryzen 9 5900H's 13,510 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-8700K. L3 cache: 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700K vs 16 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900H.

Feature	Core i7-8700K	Ryzen 9 5900H
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+2%	4.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+12%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	12288 kB	16 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+6300%	4 MB
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Cezanne U (Zen 3) (2021−2022)
PassMark	13,572	13,510

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900H uses FP6 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.