Intel Core i7 8700 6-core LGA1151
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-core AM5
What Buyers Say
Intel Core i7 8700 6-core LGA1151
The Intel Core i7-8700 is generally well-received, with users praising its strong performance in gaming and everyday tasks, especially for the price. Many note it runs cool and stable, though some mention the stock cooler can get hot under heavy loads. A few concerns include compatibility only with 300-series motherboards and the lack of a warranty on international versions.
Pros
- Strong gaming performance
- Good value for money
- Runs cool and stable
- Easy installation
- Comes with stock cooler
Cons
- Stock cooler gets hot under load
- Only compatible with 300-series boards
- No warranty on international versions
- Not best value vs i7-8700K
- Slow shipping from some sellers
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-core AM5
The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is widely celebrated as the best gaming CPU on the market, delivering massive frame rate boosts, improved 1% lows, and excellent thermal efficiency. Users upgrading from older Intel or AMD chips report transformative gains in CPU-intensive games and smoother multitasking. The main caution is to avoid paying above MSRP due to scalper pricing, and to ensure a compatible AM5 motherboard with a BIOS update. Overall, it is a top-tier choice for gamers seeking peak performance.
Pros
- Best gaming performance on the market
- Massive frame rate boosts in CPU-heavy games
- Excellent thermal efficiency and cool operation
- Improved 1% lows for smoother gameplay
- Great upgrade from older Intel and AMD chips
Cons
- Scalper pricing above MSRP
- No included cooler in the box
- Requires BIOS update on older AM5 motherboards
- Limited availability and stock issues
- OEM version lacks original box and accessories
Scores
Specifications
| Intel Core i7 8700 | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | ||
| Brand | Intel | AMD |
| Series | Core i7 | Ryzen 7 |
| Model | 8700 | 9800X3D |
| Codename | Coffee Lake | Granite Ridge |
| Class | desktop | desktop |
| Process | 14 | 4★ |
| Cores & Clocks | ||
| Cores | 6 | 8★ |
| P-cores | 6 | 8★ |
| Threads | 12 | 16★ |
| Base Clock | ||
| Boost Clock | ||
| Cache | ||
| L2 Cache | 12★ | 8 |
| L3 Cache | 12 | 96★ |
| Performance | ||
| PassMark Multi | ||
| PassMark Single | ||
| Memory | ||
| Memory Type | DDR4 | DDR5★ |
| Max Speed | ||
| Channels | 2 | 2 |
| Max Memory | ||
| ECC | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Platform & Power | ||
| Socket | LGA 1151 | AM5 |
| PCIe | 3.0 | 5.0 |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 28★ |
| TDP | 65★ | 120 |
| Max Turbo Power | — | 200★ |
| Unlocked | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Graphics & AI | ||
| Integrated Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 630 | AMD Radeon Graphics |
Pros & Cons
Intel Core i7 8700 6-core LGA1151
- Strong social proof (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong efficiency (76th percentile)
- Strong single thread (74th percentile)
- Strong platform (69th percentile)
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-core AM5
- Strong feature (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong social proof (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong single thread (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong platform (95th percentile)95th %ile
Pricing
Verdict
Scores 100 overall, wins 6 of 6 usage categories and 16 of 27 specs.