Intel Core i7-8700K and Core i5-8400 Processor Review – Coffee Lake

By Nathan Kirsch

Intel Core i7-8700K Coffee Lake Aims To Take On Ryzen

Today we are able to show you the benchmark results for the Intel Core i7-8700K and Core i5-8400 6-core Coffee Lake processors! Many enthusiasts have become accustomed to the incremental 5-10 percent speed bump that comes with each new processor generation, but this time its different as Intel increased the core count on the 8th Gen processor series. This is great news as AMD Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 processors have done pretty well in the market due to how many cores they have and Intel needed to bring more cores to market.

Intel Coffee Lake Lineup
Intel Coffee Lake Lineup

The six new processors that came out today are the Intel Core i7-8700K, Core i7-8700, Core i5-8600K, Core i5-8400, Core i3-8350K and Core i3-8100. Intel has kept things simple by releasing only six parts and we like that there is a locked and unlocked ‘K’ sku option for each series.

The Intel Core i3 series now consists of true quad-core parts that without Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost technology. Prices start at $117 for the Core i3-8100 and goes up to $168 for the Core i3-8350K unlocked processor.

Moving up to the Intel Core i5 series you’ll find these to be 6-core processors that Intel has enabled Turbo Boost 2.0 technology on, but they still lack Intel Hyper-Threading technology. That means you will only get 6-core, 6-thread performance on these processors, but they are affordable. The Intel Core i5-8400 is $182 and the unlocked Core i5-8600K is priced at $257. The Intel Core i5-8400 is going to be a popular processor due to the price point and the fact it has six physical cores running at 2.8GHz base and up to 4.0GHz with Turbo Boost.

Next up we have the flagship Core i7 series for the mainstream desktop market and that consists of 6-core, 12-thread parts. Here you’ll find that each processor has Intel Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost 2.0 technology enabled. The Core i7-8700 is aimed at those that aren’t interested in overclocking since it’s locked and is priced at $303. At $359 there is the Core i7-8700K that has higher base and boost clock speeds and is of course factory unlocked for overclocking fun.

Core i7-8700K Core i7-7700K Core i7-6700K
Intel Series 8th Generation 7th Generation 6th Generation
Architecture Coffee Lake Kaby Lake Skylake
Process Tech 14nm++ 14nm+ 14nm
Cores/Threads 6/12 4/8 4/8
Base Clock 3.7 GHz 4.2 GHz 4.0 GHz
Max Turbo Clock 4.7 GHz 4.5 GHz 4.2 GHz
SmartCache 12MB 8MB 8MB
TDP 95 watt 91 watt 91 watt
Max. Memory 64GB 64GB 64GB
Graphics UHD Graphics 630 HD Graphics 630 HD Graphics 530
Graphics Compute Units 24 24 24
Graphics Clocks 350 – 1200 MHz 350 – 1150 MHz 350 – 1150 MHz
Tray Price $359 $339 $339

One of the major differences between the new Intel Core i7-8700K Coffee Lake processor and the Intel Core i7-7700K Kaby lake processor is that the new 8700K processor has two extra physical cores! It also is built using the improved 14nm++ FinFET process that has had a number of refinements done for improved clock speeds and thermals. You also have more cache and better integrated graphics to top it off. The biggest difference on the 8th Generation processors though is the fact that they require the use of a new Z370 motherboard. If you currently own an Intel Z270 chipset based board you won’t be able to upgrade to any 8th Gen Core processor. Intel will be coming out with B360, H310, H370 and Z370 chipsets, so finding a board for one of the new 8th Gen processors shouldn’t be tough.

Intel Core i7-8700K CPU-Z

Intel Core i7-8700K Processor Key Features

  • Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0: Dynamically increases the processor frequency up to 4.7GHz when applications demand more performance. Speed when you need it, energy efficiency when you dont.
  • Intel Hyper-Threading Technology: Allows each processor core to work on two tasks at the same time for up to 12 total independent tasks (threads) providing parallel processing capability for better multi-tasking with threaded applications.
  • Intel Smart Cache: 12MB of shared cached allows faster access to your data by enabling dynamic and efficient allocation of the cache to match the needs of each core significantly reducing latency to frequently used data and improving performance.
  • CPU Overclocking Enabled (with Intel Z370 chipset): Fully unlocked core multiplier, power, per core overclocking, base clock and memory ratios enable ultimate flexibility for overclocking.
  • Graphics Overclocking Enabled (with Intel Z370 chipset): Unlocked graphics multiplier allows for overclocking to boost the graphics clock speed.
  • Integrated Memory Controller: Supports 2 channels of DDR4-2666 memory with 2 DIMMs per channel. Support for memory based on the Intel Extreme Memory Profile (Intel XMP) specification.
  • PCI Express 3.0 Interface: Supports up to 8 GT/s for fast access to peripheral devices and networking with up to 16 lanes configurable as 1×16, 2×8, or 1×8 and 2×4 depending on the motherboard design.
  • Chipset/Motherboard Compatibility: Compatible with all Intel 300 Series chipsets with the latest BIOS and drivers.
  • Intel UHD Graphics 630: Integrated 3D performance with support for Microsoft DirectX 12 and Ultra HD 4K resolution display for immersive mainstream gaming. For Microsoft DirectX 12 testing, the performance-tuned Intel graphics driver is expected to be available for download on Intel Download Center by the 8th generation Intel Core processor family product introduction. The Intel UHD Graphics 630 dynamic graphics frequency ranges up to 1200MHz.
    • Vibrant Media: Enhanced, built-in visual features deliver a seamless visual PC experience for rich Ultra HD 4K entertainment and HD gaming.
    • Intel Quick Sync Video Technology: Media processing for incredibly fast conversion of video files for portable media players or online sharing including support for HEVC 10-bit (H.265) encode/decode to playback premium 4K Ultra HD content from selected service providers.

Intel Core i5-8400 CPU-Z

Intel Core i5-8400K Processor Key Features

  • Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0: Dynamically increases the processor frequency up to 4.0GHz when applications demand more performance. Speed when you need it, energy efficiency when you dont.
  • Intel Smart Cache: 9MB of shared cached allows faster access to your data by enabling dynamic and efficient allocation of the cache to match the needs of each core significantly reducing latency to frequently used data and improving performance.
  • Integrated Memory Controller: Supports 2 channels of DDR4-2666 memory with 2 DIMMs per channel.
  • PCI Express 3.0 Interface: Supports up to 8 GT/s for fast access to peripheral devices and networking with up to 16 lanes configurable as 1×16, 2×8, or 1×8 and 2×4 depending on the motherboard design.
  • Chipset/Motherboard Compatibility: Compatible with all Intel 300 Series chipsets with the latest BIOS and drivers.
  • Intel UHD Graphics 630: Integrated 3D performance with support for Microsoft DirectX 12 and Ultra HD 4K resolution display for immersive mainstream gaming. For Microsoft DirectX 12 testing, the performance-tuned Intel graphics driver is expected to be available for download on Intel Download Center by the 8th generation Intel Core processor family product introduction. The Intel UHD Graphics 630 dynamic graphics frequency ranges up to 1105MHz.
    • Vibrant Media: Enhanced, built-in visual features deliver a seamless visual PC experience for rich Ultra HD 4K entertainment and HD gaming.
    • Intel Quick Sync Video Technology: Media processing for incredibly fast conversion of video files for portable media players or online sharing including support for HEVC 10-bit (H.265) encode/decode to playback premium 4K Ultra HD content from selected service providers.

Let’s move onto the benchmarks after looking at the test systems on the next page.