Price vs. Functioning, Conclusion

Before wrapping up this review we should probably check out a few cost vs performance scatter plots to work out just how well the 8700K stacks upwardly in terms of value.

Looking at the Premiere results nosotros encounter that the Core i7-8700K is a proficient step forward from the recently released 7800X. It'southward both faster and cheaper. Compared to the Ryzen 7 1700, the 8700K was 8% faster simply it as well costs 20% more, though it is a much ameliorate value than the R7 1800X. Overclocking muddies the h2o a bit so nosotros're not going to focus on that for this review. I'll encompass overclocking and how that changes the value of these CPUs in a time to come video.

For now the R7 1700 looks to provide content creators with the all-time value pick only the Cadre i7-8700K is certainly a feasible pick where as I felt the 7800X wasn't.

For the extreme blender workload the 8700K does well, again it'due south 20% more than costly than the R7 1700 but it's also xx% faster out of the box. In terms of value, the R5 1600 is still the best option but for it to get anywhere about the stock 8700K you'd take to overclock information technology to 4 GHz. So Intel has put forth an extremely compelling pick here.

For loftier-end gaming, especially loftier refresh rate gaming, it'south pretty obvious that the Intel CPUs are the manner to go in terms of performance and value. As we saw with the 720p results, the 8700K is GPU express at 1080p. I snuck the 720p testing in as I was finishing upward the review and so I don't have a price to performance scatter plot but needless to say Intel wins quite comfortably here.

Using Vega 64 we are again GPU limited though it has to be said the Ryzen CPUs perform much improve with a Radeon GPU when using the DirectX 12 API. So for gamers hoping to maximize their dollar, the Ryzen five 1600 still presents a great value option and is arguably the nigh cost effective choice for anyone who isn't afterwards farthermost high refresh rate gaming.

Finally, looking at the Ashes of the Singularity results with Vega 64, we again see an extremely impressive result from the 8700K as it's a skillful bit faster than the previous gaming rex, the 7700K. These figures really suggest that the 8700K isn't just the new king of gaming but will be well into the time to come as well.

Determination

Intel'due south new mainstream flagship Core i7 processor is a beast. For gamers seeking the ultimate solution there is but nothing meliorate than the Core i7-8700K. Out of the box performance is incredible, overclocking is even more incredible, power consumption is impressive for a CPU running at over 4 GHz by default and needless to say, this chip is going to find its way into my new gaming rig.

At $360 the Core i7-8700K is a costly affair. Although that's barely higher than the $340 7700K it replaces, compared to the $215 Ryzen five 1600 for case, it'southward not a great value, though you do become what you lot pay for.

I yet experience that the majority of gamers will be improve served by the R5 1600, but before you have my total give-and-take nosotros have to check out the Coffee Lake Cadre i5 range kickoff (presently!). The 8700K makes the about sense for those going after extreme frame rates with the latest and greatest GPUs, and not those playing CS:Get on a GTX 1060.

In one case you dish out $360 for the 8700K you actually want to spend another $100 or so on a decent cooler. Realistically, y'all could spend as piddling equally $20 for a basic air-libation, but that'd be doing this incredible overclocker a disservice. Anyway, allow's say ~$thirty to be conservative, nosotros're now at over $400 and in one case you factor in the price of a decent Z370 board for around $150, we're talking $550+.

Moving on from gaming, how does Intel's new series handle productivity?

Well, the Core i7-8700K has the Ryzen 7 1800X beat and it almost wasn't even a competition. Nonetheless, the 1800X was already a dead chip in our eyes before the 8700K even came along thanks to the bully value offered by its less expensive siblings.

Compared to the R7 1700 in terms of value, the 8700K is almost on par merely with both overclocked to the max the Ryzen 7 CPU should offer a little more for your money. Nevertheless, it will vary from one application to the next and I'd say overall they are similar. Again, those on a budget will opt for Ryzen every bit it's cheaper and volition deliver similar performance without much trouble.

Shopping Shortcuts:

  • Intel Core i7-8700K on Newegg

Overall, the Core i7-8700K has proven to exist much more of an all-rounder than the 7700K was and now I tin't await to check out the rest of the Coffee Lake range. 2022 has been a spectacular year for PC hardware and information technology's great to see then many impressive options available.

Pros: Great for high-end gaming and competent at productivity. Offers amend all-around operation than the 7700K. One hell of an overclocker.

Cons: Relatively expensive compared to Ryzen. Expect to spend $550+ for the chip, a motherboard and a nice libation.