Intel Core i7-10700K Review: Eight core processor based on Comet Lake S
In a test, the Intel Core i7-10700K, this 8 core processor based on the Comet Lake S architecture, achieved good performance values.
The Intel Core i7-10700K Review
The standard frequency of the CPU is 3,800 MHz, which can be clocked up to 5,100 MHz for a short time thanks to Turbo Boost when the workload is high. In addition, the model supports Hyper-Threading so that it can process up to 16 threads at the same time.
The processor has an integrated GPU with the Intel HD Graphics UHD 630. However, you will look in vain for a fan in the packaging that you have to buy separately.
Technical test data for Intel Core i7-10700K
| Product: | Intel Core i7-10700K |
| Core code name: | Comet Lake-S |
| Manufacturing process: | 14 nm |
| Base type: | LGA1200 |
| Processor clock: | 3.80 GHz |
| Maximum processor clock: | 5.10 GHz |
| Maximum power dissipation (TDP): | 125 watts |
| Number of CPU cores: | 8th |
| Number of threads: | 16 |
| Level 2 cache: | 8 x 256 KByte |
| Level 3 cache: | 16 KByte |
| Benchmark: Cinebench R20, max. CPUs: | 4,942 points |
| Benchmark: PCMark 10 Gaming: | 9,692 points |
| Benchmark: 3DMark Firestrike with RTX 2080 Ti: | 24,313 points |
| Benchmark: 3DMark Time Spy with RTX 2080 Ti: | 13,109 points |
| Benchmark: PassMark Rating: | 7,036 points |
| Benchmark: SPECworkstation 3, Blender: classroom: | 741.02 seconds |
| Benchmark: SPECworkstation 3, Blender: BMW27: | 84.88 seconds |
| Benchmark: SPECworkstation 3, FSI: Monte Carlo: | 35.67 seconds |
| Benchmark: SPECworkstation 3, FSI: Black Scholes: | 129.94 seconds |
| Benchmark: HandBrake High Quality – 4K: | 73.78 seconds |
| Benchmark: HandBrake Default – 1080p: | 327.48 seconds |
| Benchmark: 7-Zip compress: | 182.61 seconds |
| Benchmark: SPECworkstation 3, LuxRender: CPU test: | 6,192 points |
| Benchmark: SPECworkstation 3, namd: apoa1: | 38.13 seconds |
| Benchmark: SPECworkstation 3, python36: Multithreaded Matrix: | 116.34 seconds |
| Benchmark: PCMark 10 Essentials: | 9,642 points |
| Benchmark: PCMark 10 Digital Content Creation: | 8,659 points |
| Benchmark: PCMark 10 Productivity: | 8,895 points |
| Benchmark: VeraCrypt: Serpent-Twofish-AES: | 1,400 MB / s |
| Benchmark: PovRay, 1920 x 1080, AA 0.3: | 4,259.7 pixels / s |
| Integrated graphics unit: | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Graphics benchmark: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive: | 24.32 fps |
| Graphics benchmark: World of Tanks: | 4,755 points |
| Graphics benchmark: 3DMark Cloud Gate: | 7.123 points |
| Graphics benchmark: 3DMark Firestrike: | 1,385 points |
| Graphics benchmark: 3DMark Time Spy: | 542 points |
| Test date: | 10/26/2020 |
Microsoft Intel Core i7-10700K in the test: eight-core with Hyper-Threading
The Intel Core i7-10700K works at 3800 MHz in standard mode and can clock up to 5,100 MHz for performance peaks. In contrast to its predecessor, the Intel Core i7-9700K, the current Comet Lake S CPU has Hyper-Threading again. This enables the processor to process 16 threads in parallel. In addition, the CPU natively supports DDR4-2933 RAM.
To use the Core i7-10700K in your computer, you need a mainboard with an Intel LGA 1200 socket. For this reason, Intel users who only want to upgrade the processor have to order a new motherboard.
Benchmark comparison of the Intel Core i7-10700K
In contrast to the 7 nm manufacturing process of the current AMD CPUs, Intel continues to work with the tenth generation of the 14 nm manufacturing method introduced with Broadwell in 2014. Nevertheless, the Core i7-10700K shows that it can stand up to its rivals in its price range.
The table below shows the comparison between the Intel Core i7-10700K and the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X. Both are the current eight-core processors from the respective manufacturer. So that you can better classify the whole thing.
The following should be given to you: For the values given in points, MB/s, fps the simple principle applies: the higher the value, the better the result. Only the results expressed in s (seconds) are about the elapsed time and the following applies: the lower the numerical value, the better the measurement result.
The graphics benchmarks run in combination with an Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti. In contrast to the AMD model, the Intel processor with the UHD graphics 630 has its own GPU, which, however, is not suitable for demanding games or applications.
INTEL CORE I7-10700K VS AMD R7 5800X
| Intel Core i7-10700K | AMD R7 5800X | |
|---|---|---|
| PCMark 10 (Applications) | 11,625 points | 12,430 points |
| PCMark 10 (Extended) | 7.183 points | 7,870 points |
| PassMark (total) | 7,036 points | 6,842 points |
| PassMark (CPU Mark) | 19,985 points | 27,821 points |
| PassMark (2D Graphics) | 1,132 points | 1,026 points |
| PassMark (3D Graphics) | 12,379 points | 12,148 points |
| PassMark (Memory Mark) | 3,638 points | 3,359 points |
| PassMark (Disk Mark) | 5,069 points | 4,550 points |
| Cinebench R20 (n-thread) | 4,942 points | 6,083 points |
| Cinebench R20 (1-thread) | 521 points | 627 points |
| x265 encoding | 9.6 fps | 14.0 fps |
| POV-Ray (1,920×1,080, AA 0.3) | 4,260 pps | 5,464 pps |
| VeraCrypt (Kuznyechik-Serpent-Camellia) | 966 MB / s | 839 MB / s |
| Blender (“Classroom”) | 741 s | 623 s |
| Blender (“BMW27”) | 85 s | 78 p |
| FSI (“Monte Carlo”) | 36 s | 29 p |
| FSI (“Black Scholes”) | 130 s | 105 s |
| Handbrake (HQ, 4K) | 74 p | 60 s |
| Handbrake (default, 1080p) | 327 s | 259 s |
| LuxRender | 6,192 points | 6,845 points |
| namd: apoa1 | 38.1 s | 30.2 s |
| python36 (multithreaded matrix) | 116 s | 83 s |
| Total War: Warhammer II (DX12; Full-HD; Ultra; vsync off) | 83 fps | 108.2 fps |
| Anno 1800 (DX12; Full-HD; Ultra, vsync off) | 123.7 fps | 144 fps |
| The Division 2 (DX12; Full-HD; Ultra, vsync off) | 142 fps | 146 fps |
| 3DMark Fire Strike | 24,313 points | 30,986 points |
| 3DMark Time Spy | 13,106 points | 14,247 points |
Overall good for gaming performance, but weaker than AMD
The Intel Core i7-10700K can only keep up with its technical AMD counterpart, the Ryzen 7 5800X, in a few areas. And the Intel CPU only came out on top in a few tests. For example, it achieved a narrow victory in the PassMark 10 (overall) benchmark with 7,036 to 6,842 points in the pure processor test, however, it clearly fell behind with 19,985 versus 27,821 points.
If we look at the gaming benchmarks, we can see that the 10700K delivers enough power for gaming under DirectX 12. However, it has to admit defeat to the Ryzen 7 5800X, and in a direct comparison it is itself subject to the similarly priced six-core Ryzen 5 5600X.
Unfortunately no fan on board
The system power consumption of the Core i7-10700K including the motherboard and all the trimmings is around 196 watts in comparison, the AMD competitor, the Ryzen 7 5800X, needs 218 watts and the Intel Core i9-10900KF even needs 277 watts.
However, the comparison with the AMD system is not straightforward because we naturally have to use a different motherboard for the tests.
The processor is around 330 euros, which makes it around 120 euros cheaper than the AMD eight-core and almost 160 euros cheaper than the Intel i9-10900K. However, you still have to buy a suitable fan because you won’t find it in the packaging.
Intel Core i7-10700K Pros:
- Has an integrated graphics card
- Natively supports Thunderbolt 3
- Very good performance values
Intel Core i7-10700K Cons:
- Fan is not included