Core i7-8700K vs Xeon Silver 4210

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 Xeon Silver 4210 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 Xeon Silver 4210: 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: +18.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon Silver 4210 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Silver 4210, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads and 48 PCIe lanes.
❌Launch MSRP is still $359 MSRP, while Xeon Silver 4210 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Silver 4210

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅Draws 85W instead of 95W, a 10W reduction.
✅200% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,463 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 Xeon Silver 4210?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Silver 4210 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-8700K is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-8700K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 18.5% 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 0.8% 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 $359 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (37.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon Silver 4210 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-8700K vs Xeon Silver 4210 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.

Xeon Silver 4210

The Xeon Silver 4210 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 13.75 MB. L2 cache: 10 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 13,463 points. Launch price was $501.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-8700K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon Silver 4210 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon Silver 4210 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-8700K versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon Silver 4210 — a 38% clock advantage for the Core i7-8700K (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-8700K uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Silver 4210 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8700K scores 13,572 against the Xeon Silver 4210's 13,463 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-8700K. L3 cache: 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700K vs 13.75 MB on the Xeon Silver 4210.

Feature	Core i7-8700K	Xeon Silver 4210
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 20+67%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+47%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+68%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	12288 kB	13.75 MB+15%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+2460%	10 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	13,572	13,463

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Silver 4210 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-8700K versus 2400 on the Xeon Silver 4210 — the Core i7-8700K supports 11.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Silver 4210 supports up to 1024 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-8700K) vs 6 (Xeon Silver 4210). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-8700K) vs 48 (Xeon Silver 4210) — the Xeon Silver 4210 offers 32 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-8700K) and C621 (Xeon Silver 4210).

Feature	Core i7-8700K	Xeon Silver 4210
Socket	LGA1151	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666+11%	2400
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	1024 GB+700%
RAM Channels	2	6+200%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	48+200%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-8700K) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Silver 4210). The Core i7-8700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon Silver 4210 requires a dedicated GPU.