Intel Core i7-8700K vs AMD Ryzen 9 3950X

VS
Performance
Core i7-8700K
14,76640% of 36,991
Ryzen 9 3950X42% better
21,01657% of 36,991

The Ryzen 9 3950X has 42% better performance than the Core i7-8700K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Core i7-8700K47% better
41.1334% of 121.53
Ryzen 9 3950X
28.0623% of 121.53

The Core i7-8700K has 47% better value for the money than the Ryzen 9 3950X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Shop Core i7-8700K
Shop Ryzen 9 3950X
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Summary

#

About the Intel Core i7-8700K CPU

The Intel Core i7-8700K is an end-of-life 6-core (12-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q4 2017 with a suggested retail price of $359. It is part of Intel's Core i7 lineup, which is based on the Coffee Lake microarchitecture. The i7-8700K is compatible with Intel Socket 1151 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 14 nm manufacturing process. It features the UHD Graphics 630 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i7-8700K supports DDR4 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i7-8700K has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 12 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i7-8700K features 6 total cores which can process 12 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.7 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.7 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i7-8700K includes an integrated graphics solution called UHD Graphics 630. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i7-8700K has the 144th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 39.92% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 14,766 score and $359 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 41.13. This is the 71st best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X CPU

The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X is a 16-core (32-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q4 2019 with a suggested retail price of $749. It is part of AMD's Ryzen 9 lineup, which is based on the Zen 2 microarchitecture. The 3950X is compatible with AMD Socket AM4 motherboards and is fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm manufacturing process.

Memory and Cache

The Ryzen 9 3950X supports DDR4 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Ryzen 9 3950X has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 512 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 64 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Ryzen 9 3950X features 16 total cores which can process 32 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.5 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.7 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Ryzen 9 3950X does not include an integrated graphics solution. A dedicated graphics card will be required if you require a monitor with your computer.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Ryzen 9 3950X has the 63rd best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 56.81% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 21,016 score and $749 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 28.06. This is the 127th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

General Info

General overview of the CPU, including details like its manufacturer, release date, launch price, and current production status.

InfoCore i7-8700KRyzen 9 3950X
ManufacturerIntelAMD
SeriesCore i7Ryzen 9
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ4 2017Q4 2019
Launch Price (MSRP)$359$749
Production StatusEnd-of-lifeActive
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Core i7-8700K
14,76640% of 36,991
Ryzen 9 3950X42% better
21,01657% of 36,991

The Ryzen 9 3950X has 42% better performance than the Core i7-8700K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i7-8700K is ranked 144th with a score of 14,766, and the Ryzen 9 3950X is ranked 63rd with a score of 21,016.

Performance per dollar
Core i7-8700K47% better
41.1334% of 121.53
Ryzen 9 3950X
28.0623% of 121.53

The Core i7-8700K has 47% better value for the money than the Ryzen 9 3950X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i7-8700K is ranked 71st with a performance per dollar of 41.13, and the Ryzen 9 3950X is ranked 127th with a performance per dollar of 28.06.

Relative Performance

The average score in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i7-8700K or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Core i9-10900K21,935+49%
Ryzen 9 5900X21,043.5+43%
Ryzen 9 3950X21,016+42%
Core i9-11900K20,662+40%
Core i9-10980XE20,452+39%
Core i9-7900X15,260+3%
Ryzen 7 2700X15,098+2%
Core i7-8700K14,766
Core i7-9700K14,657-1%
Ryzen 7 270013,959-5%

Relative Value For Money

The average performance per dollar in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative value. A higher score implies a better value for your money.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i7-8700K or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Core i5-8600K42.15+2%
Core i7-970041.86+2%
Core i7-8700K41.13
Core i5-11400T40.21-2%
Ryzen 7 170038.67-6%
Core i9-11900KB33.03-20%
Ryzen 9 5950X31.48-23%
Ryzen 9 3950X28.06-32%
Core i7-8086K27.19-34%
Core i9-10980XE19.01-54%

Benchmark Scores

This table showcases the average performance scores achieved by both CPUs across industry-standard benchmark tests. These scores provide a valuable insight into overall performance. Powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

  • Popular
BenchmarkCore i7-8700KRyzen 9 3950X
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
14,766
21,016
(+42.33%)
3DMark Time Spy CPU
7,255.5
12,404
(+70.96%)
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
1,362
4,002
(+193.83%)
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
192
209
(+8.85%)
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
6,511
10,845
(+66.56%)
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
1,610
1,735
(+7.76%)
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
13,638
38,780
(+184.35%)
CPU Mark Single-Thread
2,730
(+0.92%)
2,705
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

#

Manufacturing Details

Information about the CPU's manufacturing like its foundry, process size, and transistor count.

SpecCore i7-8700KRyzen 9 3950X
ManufacturerIntelAMD
FoundryIntelTSMC
Process Size14 nm7 nm
Transistors--7,600 million

Architecture

CPU architecture specs like its memory channels, memory support, and microarchitecture. Newer CPU architectures can minimize bottlenecks and improve execution efficiency using more advanced techniques.

SpecCore i7-8700KRyzen 9 3950X
SeriesCore i7Ryzen 9
MicroarchitectureCoffee LakeZen 2
CodenameCoffee LakeMatisse
Memory SupportDDR4DDR4
Memory ChannelsDual-channelDual-channel
ECC MemoryNoNo

Cores & Clock Speeds

Processing power information like its cores and clock speed. These specs impact how fast they can handle instructions and tasks. These have a strong impact on the CPU's performance.

SpecCore i7-8700KRyzen 9 3950X
Cores616
Threads1232
Clock Speed3.7 GHz3.5 GHz
Turbo Clock4.7 GHz4.7 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier37.0x35.0x
Multiplier UnlockedYesYes

Cache

CPU cache specs like its L1 & L2 cache. These provide the CPU with a small, but super-fast memory access. A larger cache can improve a CPU's performance.

SpecCore i7-8700KRyzen 9 3950X
L1 Cache64 KB64 KB
L2 Cache256 KB512 KB
L3 Cache12 MB64 MB

Compatibility & Power Consumption

Compatibility and power consumption information like its socket type, thermal design power, power limits. These can help verify the CPU's compatibility with other PC components.

SpecCore i7-8700KRyzen 9 3950X
SocketIntel Socket 1151AMD Socket AM4
PCI ExpressPCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 4.0 x24
Thermal Design Power (TDP)95 W105 W
Package Power Tracking (PPT)--142 W
Tcase Max72 °C95 °C

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

Additional CPU features like its bundled coolers, integrated graphics, and extensions/technologies.

SpecCore i7-8700KRyzen 9 3950X
Integrated GraphicsUHD Graphics 630--
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, VT-d, HTT, AES-NI, TSX, TXT, CLMUL, FMA3, F16C, BMI1, BMI2, Boost 2.0MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AES, AVX, AVX2, BMI1, BMI2, SHA, F16C, FMA3, AMD64, EVP, AMD-V, SMAP, SMEP, SMT, Precision Boost 2, XFR 2

Check out these comparisons for similar CPUs:

Looking for alternatives? Check out these similar CPUs:

* Performance rating, performance per dollar, and rankings are based on the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark and MSRP.