Core i7-8700K vs Ryzen 3 8300GE

Intel

Core i7-8700K

6 Cores12 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2017

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

Ryzen 3 8300GE

4 Cores8 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2024

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-8700K

2017

Why buy it

  • +0% higher PassMark.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 3 8300GE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.8 vs 105.2 PassMark/$ ($359 MSRP vs $129 MSRP).
  • 171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.
  • Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Ryzen 3 8300GE moves to AM5 and DDR5.

Ryzen 3 8300GE

2024

Why buy it

  • Costs $230 less on MSRP ($129 MSRP vs $359 MSRP).
  • Delivers 178.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 105.2 vs 37.8 PassMark/$ ($129 MSRP vs $359 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.
  • Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (13,568 vs 13,572).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i7-8700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 3 8300GE better than Core i7-8700K?
It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Ryzen 3 8300GE is ahead with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8700K pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark. Core i7-8700K also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8700K is the better fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 3 8300GE is the smarter buy today. Ryzen 3 8300GE is $230 cheaper on MSRP at $129 MSRP versus $359 MSRP, and it gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Core i7-8700K is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0% better PassMark. It is also 178.2% better value on MSRP (105.2 vs 37.8 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 3 8300GE is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetCore i7-8700KRyzen 3 8300GE
1080p
low214 FPS262 FPS
medium173 FPS233 FPS
high140 FPS199 FPS
ultra103 FPS168 FPS
1440p
low181 FPS230 FPS
medium145 FPS185 FPS
high116 FPS153 FPS
ultra86 FPS133 FPS
4K
low92 FPS159 FPS
medium79 FPS129 FPS
high62 FPS99 FPS
ultra48 FPS86 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i7-8700KRyzen 3 8300GE
1080p
low339 FPS339 FPS
medium339 FPS280 FPS
high321 FPS245 FPS
ultra275 FPS206 FPS
1440p
low339 FPS286 FPS
medium326 FPS238 FPS
high292 FPS214 FPS
ultra250 FPS176 FPS
4K
low334 FPS212 FPS
medium276 FPS183 FPS
high248 FPS153 FPS
ultra204 FPS124 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i7-8700KRyzen 3 8300GE
1080p
low339 FPS339 FPS
medium339 FPS339 FPS
high339 FPS339 FPS
ultra339 FPS339 FPS
1440p
low339 FPS339 FPS
medium339 FPS339 FPS
high339 FPS339 FPS
ultra339 FPS339 FPS
4K
low339 FPS339 FPS
medium339 FPS339 FPS
high339 FPS339 FPS
ultra303 FPS293 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i7-8700KRyzen 3 8300GE
1080p
low339 FPS339 FPS
medium339 FPS339 FPS
high339 FPS339 FPS
ultra339 FPS339 FPS
1440p
low339 FPS339 FPS
medium339 FPS339 FPS
high339 FPS339 FPS
ultra339 FPS339 FPS
4K
low339 FPS339 FPS
medium339 FPS339 FPS
high339 FPS339 FPS
ultra339 FPS339 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-8700K and Ryzen 3 8300GE

Intel

Core i7-8700K

The Core i7-8700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB. L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,572 points. Launch price was $359.

AMD

Ryzen 3 8300GE

The Ryzen 3 8300GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 16 April 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Phoenix2 (2024) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 13,568 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i7-8700K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 8300GE offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-8700K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-8700K versus 4.9 GHz on the Ryzen 3 8300GE — a 4.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 3 8300GE (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-8700K uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 3 8300GE uses Phoenix2 (2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8700K scores 13,572 against the Ryzen 3 8300GE's 13,568 — a 0% lead for the Core i7-8700K. L3 cache: 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700K vs 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 8300GE.

FeatureCore i7-8700KRyzen 3 8300GE
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+50%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.7 GHz
4.9 GHz+4%
Base Clock
3.7 GHz+6%
3.5 GHz
L3 Cache
12288 kB+50%
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
1 MB (per core)+300%
Process
14 nm
4 nm-71%
Architecture
Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)
Phoenix2 (2024)
PassMark
13,572
13,568
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 8300GE uses AM5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-8700KRyzen 3 8300GE
Socket
LGA1151
AM5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

The Core i7-8700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 3 8300GE requires a dedicated GPU.

FeatureCore i7-8700KRyzen 3 8300GE
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics 630
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-8700K launched at $359 MSRP, while the Ryzen 3 8300GE debuted at $129. On MSRP ($359 vs $129), the Ryzen 3 8300GE is $230 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-8700K delivers 37.8 pts/$ vs 105.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 8300GE — making the Ryzen 3 8300GE the 94.2% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-8700KRyzen 3 8300GE
MSRP
$359
$129-64%
Performance per Dollar
37.8
105.2+178%
Release Date
2017
2024