Intel Core i7-8700K Buyer's Guide
Positioning and generation
The Intel Core i7-8700K is an 8th Gen desktop processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture. In FrameScope's internal ranking it sits in the modern mainstream band. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, and it includes integrated graphics.
By today's standards it is no longer new, but it remains a solid choice for running most games. If you already own one, you usually do not need to rush into an upgrade for gaming unless you hit a clear bottleneck.
In ranking terms it falls between the Ryzen 5 3600 and the Core i7-9700K, which places it in a steady middle position.
Key specs explained
The 6 cores and 12 threads matter most here. For games, enough cores let the processor handle game logic, background programs and streaming at the same time, so the CPU is less likely to slow down the whole experience. Multithreading helps spread the work of demanding games more evenly across the chip.
The Coffee Lake architecture makes this an 8th Gen Intel part. That generation raised core counts to mainstream levels, which gives it more headroom for multitasking and gaming than earlier generations.
The integrated graphics let the system output video without a dedicated graphics card, which suits office work or emergency use. For gaming, though, you should pair it with a dedicated graphics card, since integrated graphics cannot meet the picture demands of modern games.
Suitable games and resolutions
Among the 439 catalogue games with official requirements data, this processor meets the official recommended requirements or better in 128 cases, is well above the recommended level in 234, meets only the minimum in 50, and falls below the minimum in 4. Overall it handles the large majority of games, and only a few newer, heavier titles fall below the official minimum.
In practice it copes comfortably with games such as Big Ambitions, Timberborn and Gothic 1 Remake. Palworld, Scrap Mechanic and Forza Horizon 6 sit above the minimum but close to the recommended tier, so they run but without a lot of margin. ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN, DOOM: The Dark Ages and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle fall below the official minimum, where the processor itself may be the limiting part.
For resolution, 1080p is the most sensible target for this processor. At that setting the graphics card is usually the main bottleneck, so the CPU has room to spare. If you want higher resolutions, put your budget into the graphics card rather than the processor.
Compared with similar hardware
In FrameScope's ranking, it sits close to the Intel Core i7-9700F and Intel Core i7-9700K. Those two are similar in specification, and the differences come down to details and trade-offs. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 ranks slightly higher, but it is also a mid-range part and falls in a similar range for game requirements.
Looking down the ranking, the Intel Core i5-10400F, Intel Core i5-10400 and Intel Core i7-8700 sit slightly lower. The Core i7-8700 is very close to the 8700K in specification, with the main difference being the unlocked multiplier, which matters little for most players.
Overall there are several close rivals, so choose based on your motherboard, budget and use rather than the ranking number alone.
Buying new or used
This processor uses the LGA1151 socket and is designed for motherboards with 300-series chipsets. Before buying, confirm that the motherboard socket and chipset match, since this is the easiest place to make a mistake. The pins are on the motherboard, not the CPU, so the key check is that your motherboard socket matches the processor.
The boxed version does not include a cooler, so you will need to buy a suitable one separately. When buying new, include the cooler in your budget rather than assuming one is in the box.
The multiplier is unlocked, so overclocking is possible, but make sure your cooling and motherboard power delivery can handle it. No extra BIOS update requirement is given in our data, so check compatibility against the motherboard maker's official support page before buying.
If you consider a used unit, ask the seller about its condition, warranty period and return policy, and make sure it is genuine. Buying new through a retail channel usually gives better warranty and after-sales support.
Upgrade advice
An upgrade only makes sense if your current processor can no longer keep up with the games you play. In this range, sensible upgrade targets include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, Intel Core i3-13100F and Intel Core i7-11700F, all of which are clearly faster and from newer generations.
When upgrading, do not look at the processor alone. Check that your graphics card and memory are balanced with it. If the graphics card is already the main bottleneck, a new processor will help less; if the graphics card is strong but the processor cannot keep up, a processor upgrade will help more.
Remember that a new processor may also need a new motherboard and socket, so confirm socket and motherboard compatibility for the target product before you buy.