Core i7-8700K vs Xeon W-1250

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 W-1250 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 W-1250: 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: +14.1% 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 Xeon W-1250 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,572 vs 13,671).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.8 vs 48.0 PassMark/$ ($359 MSRP vs $285 MSRP).
❌18.8% higher power demand at 95W vs 80W.

Xeon W-1250

2020

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $74 less on MSRP ($285 MSRP vs $359 MSRP).
✅Delivers 26.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 48.0 vs 37.8 PassMark/$ ($285 MSRP vs $359 MSRP).
✅Draws 80W instead of 95W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-1250 better than Core i7-8700K?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-1250 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon W-1250 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Xeon W-1250 is the better buy right now. Xeon W-1250 comes in $74 cheaper on MSRP at $285 MSRP versus $359 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-8700K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 14.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 26.9% better value on MSRP (48.0 vs 37.8 PassMark/$), 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 W-1250 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-8700K vs Xeon W-1250 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 W-1250

The Xeon W-1250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,671 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-8700K and Xeon W-1250 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-8700K versus 4.7 GHz on the Xeon W-1250 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-8700K is built on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-8700K scores 13,572 against the Xeon W-1250's 13,671 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon W-1250. L3 cache: 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700K vs 12 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon W-1250.

Feature	Core i7-8700K	Xeon W-1250
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz	4.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+12%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	12288 kB	12 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	—
PassMark	13,572	13,671

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-1250 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-8700K	Xeon W-1250
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

The Core i7-8700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon W-1250 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i7-8700K	Xeon W-1250
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 630	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-8700K was priced at $359, while the Xeon W-1250 came in at $285. On launch pricing ($359 vs $285), Xeon W-1250 was $74 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-8700K delivers 37.8 pts/$ vs 48.0 pts/$ for the Xeon W-1250 — making the Xeon W-1250 the 23.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-8700K	Xeon W-1250
MSRP	$359	$285-21%
Performance per Dollar	37.8	48.0+27%
Release Date	2017	2020

Search Core i7-8700K on Amazon

Search Xeon W-1250 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.