Core i5-8500 vs Core i7-7700K: CPU comparison

Performance score

Core i5-8500 2018 · 6/6 cores/threads, 65 W

20.79

Core i7-7700K 2017 · 4/8 cores/threads, 91 W

21.49 +3%

Core i3-12100F Core i5-12400F Ryzen 5 7500F Ryzen 7 7800X3D Ryzen 7 9800X3D Core Ultra 7 265K Core i9-14900K Ryzen 9 9950X

By our estimate, Core i7-7700K beats Core i5-8500 by 3%.

Both CPUs use the same socket (LGA1151), so you can swap one for the other on the same board (check BIOS support).

The score is our own estimate from the specs (cores, threads, clocks, architecture generation), not a benchmark run. 100 = the fastest CPU in our database.

Real tests

What the test measures

Blender is a popular free 3D graphics program. The test makes the device render three ready-made 3D scenes (light, shadows, reflections) and counts how many render passes it finishes per minute. The higher the number, the faster the device handles heavy work: 3D, video editing, photo processing. On a CPU the test loads all cores at once, so it shows the chip's full power; on a graphics card it shows its compute strength.

CPU rendering (Blender)

Core i5-8500

78

faster than 42% of tested · runs: 22

Core i7-7700K

89+14 %

faster than 47% of tested · runs: 38

Median of real test runs on users' computers. It does not show FPS in games. Data updated: 31.10.2026.

Overview

	Core i5-8500	Core i7-7700K
Score (0–100)	20.79	21.49
Ranking position	424	417
Power efficiency (0–100)	16.71	12.34
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Manufacturer	Intel	Intel
Architecture	Coffee Lake	Kaby Lake
Release date	Q2 2018	Q1 2017

Specifications

	Core i5-8500	Core i7-7700K
Cores	6	4
Threads	6	8
Base clock	3 GHz	4.2 GHz
Boost clock	4.1 GHz	4.5 GHz
L3 cache	9 MB	8 MB
Process node	14 nm	14 nm
Unlocked multiplier	no	yes
Integrated graphics	Intel UHD Graphics 630	Intel HD Graphics 630
NPU (AI accelerator)	no	no

Compatibility

	Core i5-8500	Core i7-7700K
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
TDP	65 W	91 W

Memory and PCI Express

	Core i5-8500	Core i7-7700K
Memory type	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2133/2400
Memory channels	2	2
Max memory	128 GB	64 GB
PCI Express version	3.0	3.0
PCIe lanes	16	16

Pros and cons

Core i5-8500

more cores: 6 vs 4
bigger L3 cache: 9 MB vs 8 MB
lower TDP: 65 W vs 91 W
newer: released in 2018

Core i7-7700K

3% higher overall score
7% faster single core
more threads: 8 vs 6
unlocked multiplier (can be overclocked)

Other comparisons

Visitor rating

Questions and comments

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