i7-6970HQ vs i7-8700

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-8700
2017
6 cores / 12 threads, 65 Watt
8.07
+176%
Core i7-6970HQ
2016
4 cores / 8 threads, 45 Watt
2.92

Core i7-8700 outperforms Core i7-6970HQ by a whopping 176% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-8700 and Core i7-6970HQ processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking9371664
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation5.57no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i7Intel Core i7
Power efficiency11.756.14
Architecture codenameCoffee Lake-S (2017−2018)Skylake (2015−2016)
Release date24 September 2017 (7 years ago)2 January 2016 (8 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$303$623

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-8700 and Core i7-6970HQ basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores6 (Hexa-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads128
Base clock speed3.2 GHz2.8 GHz
Boost clock speed4.6 GHz3.7 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0DMI 3.0
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplier3228
L1 cache384 KB256 KB
L2 cache1.5 MB1 MB
L3 cache12288 KB8 MB
Chip lithography14 nm14 nm
Die size149 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature100 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-8700 and Core i7-6970HQ compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA1151FCBGA1440
Power consumption (TDP)65 Watt45 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-8700 and Core i7-6970HQ. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
eDRAMno data128 MB
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX+-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
SIPP+-
Smart Responseno data+

Security technologies

Core i7-8700 and Core i7-6970HQ technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Key++
MPX++
Identity Protection+-
SGXYes with Intel® MEYes with Intel® ME
OS Guard++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-8700 and Core i7-6970HQ are enumerated here.

AMD-V++
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-8700 and Core i7-6970HQ. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3, DDR4DDR3, DDR4
Maximum memory size128 GB64 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth41.6 GB/s34.134 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel UHD Graphics 630Intel Iris Pro Graphics 580
Max video memory64 GB64 GB
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video+no data
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.2 GHz1.05 GHz
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-8700 and Core i7-6970HQ integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported33
eDPno data+
DisplayPort-+
HDMI-+
DVIno data+

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-8700 and Core i7-6970HQ integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support++
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2304@24Hz4096x2304@24Hz
Max resolution over eDP4096 x 2304@60Hz4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096 x 2304@60Hz4096x2304@60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-8700 and Core i7-6970HQ integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX1212
OpenGL4.54.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-8700 and Core i7-6970HQ.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes1616

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-8700 8.07
+176%
i7-6970HQ 2.92

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-8700 12818
+177%
i7-6970HQ 4632

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 8.07 2.92
Integrated graphics card 3.09 4.78
Recency 24 September 2017 2 January 2016
Physical cores 6 4
Threads 12 8
Power consumption (TDP) 65 Watt 45 Watt

i7-8700 has a 176.4% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, and 50% more physical cores and 50% more threads.

i7-6970HQ, on the other hand, has 54.7% faster integrated GPU, and 44.4% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-8700 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-6970HQ in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-8700 is a desktop processor while Core i7-6970HQ is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-8700 and Core i7-6970HQ, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-8700
Core i7-8700
Intel Core i7-6970HQ
Core i7-6970HQ

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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