Core i7-8700K vs Ryzen 9 7950X3D
Core i7-8700K
Popular choices:
Ryzen 9 7950X3D
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 9 7950X3D
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-8700K | Ryzen 9 7950X3D |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($160) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($486) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) / 5 nm, 6 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-8700K | Ryzen 9 7950X3D |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+51%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($160) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($486) |
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 9 7950X3D
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 7950X3D
The Ryzen 9 7950X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.7 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm, 6 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 62,323 points. Launch price was $699.
Processing Power
The Core i7-8700K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 9 7950X3D offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Ryzen 9 7950X3D has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-8700K versus 5.7 GHz on the Ryzen 9 7950X3D — a 19.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 7950X3D (base: 3.7 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i7-8700K uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 9 7950X3D uses Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) (5 nm, 6 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8700K scores 13,572 against the Ryzen 9 7950X3D's 62,323 — a 128.5% lead for the Ryzen 9 7950X3D. L3 cache: 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700K vs 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 7950X3D.
| Feature | Core i7-8700K | Ryzen 9 7950X3D |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 16 / 32+167% |
| Boost Clock | 4.7 GHz | 5.7 GHz+21% |
| Base Clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.2 GHz+14% |
| L3 Cache | 12288 kB | 128 MB (total)+967% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB (per core)+300% |
| Process | 14 nm | 5 nm, 6 nm-64% |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) | Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) |
| PassMark | 13,572 | 62,323+359% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 38,581 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,926 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 19,643 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-8700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 9 7950X3D uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-8700K versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 9 7950X3D — the Ryzen 9 7950X3D supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-8700K) vs 28 (Ryzen 9 7950X3D) — the Ryzen 9 7950X3D offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-8700K) and AMD X670E,AMD X670,AMD B650E,AMD B650 (Ryzen 9 7950X3D).
| Feature | Core i7-8700K | Ryzen 9 7950X3D |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | AM5 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | DDR5-5200+25% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 28+75% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-8700K) / true (Ryzen 9 7950X3D). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-8700K) and Radeon Graphics (Ryzen 9 7950X3D) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 7950X3D rivals Core i9-13900K.
| Feature | Core i7-8700K | Ryzen 9 7950X3D |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 630 | Radeon Graphics |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | Yes |
| Virtualization | — | true |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-8700K launched at $359 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 7950X3D debuted at $699. At current prices ($160 vs $486), the Core i7-8700K is $326 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-8700K delivers 84.8 pts/$ vs 128.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 7950X3D — making the Ryzen 9 7950X3D the 40.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-8700K | Ryzen 9 7950X3D |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $359-49% | $699 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $160-67% | $486 |
| Performance per Dollar | 84.8 | 128.2+51% |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2023 |
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