Hey there! If you‘re researching components for your new high-end gaming or creator PC build, no doubt the CPU plays a crucial role. And Intel‘s latest 10th generation desktop chips based on the Comet Lake architecture deliver fantastic performance.
Within this lineup, the Core i7-10700F and Core i7-10700K catch our eye. On paper, these flagship processors look very similar – both pack 8 cores and 16 threads enabled by HyperThreading technology.
But peer closer and some important differences emerge that can significantly impact real-world experience. Keep reading as we dive into every aspect from specs and benchmarks to efficiency and pricing comparisons. Let‘s find out which model could be the best match for your build!
Comet Lake Architecture: Enabling New Performance Heights
Intel‘s 10th generation Core desktop processors brought some nice improvements that translate to real performance gains you‘ll notice daily, especially in games, creative apps and multitasking.
Some highlights of what‘s new in the Comet Lake architecture include:
- Higher clock speeds: Up to 5.3GHz single core boost on the flagship i9-10900K
- Enhanced turbo boost algorithms for longer peak boost durations
- Increased L3 cache for better data access speeds
- Native support for faster DDR4-2933 memory
- Improved 14nm++ manufacturing process for efficiency
Combine this revamped architecture with the high core and thread counts on the i7-10700F and i7-10700K, and you have extremely capable processors. Let‘s see exactly how they compare.
Intel i7-10700F vs i7-10700K: Key Specs and Features
| Spec | i7-10700F | i7-10700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores/Threads | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 |
| Base Clock Speed | 2.9GHz | 3.8GHz |
| Max Turbo Boost Single-Core | 4.8GHz | 5.1GHz |
| Total L3 Cache | 16MB | 16MB |
| Overclocking | No | Yes, Unlocked |
| Thermal Design Power | 65W | 125W |
| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Architecture | 14nm++ Comet Lake | 14nm++ Comet Lake |
| Socket | LGA 1200 | LGA 1200 |
| Max Memory Support | 128GB DDR4-2933 | 128GB DDR4-2933 |
| PCIe Lanes (v. 3.0) | 16 | 16 |
| Launch Date | Q2 2020 | Q2 2020 |
Taking a broad look, it‘s clear both these processors share the same foundation – 8 high-performance cores with multithreading enabled, lots of fast cache, and support for speedy memory and PCIe devices.
This combination unlocks excellent performance for gaming, content creation, video editing and streaming that can rival much more expensive HEDT processors.
However, the i7-10700K does push clock frequencies about 10% higher out of the box. And being an unlocked K-SKU, it has plenty of overclocking headroom past 5.1GHz with the right cooling.
Meanwhile, the i7-10700F positions itself as a more affordable, power-efficient alternative at a 65 watt TDP – half that of the i7-10700K.
Next let‘s quantify exactly how these spec sheet differences translate to real world experience.
Benchmark Performance Comparison
Thanks to their 8 cores, 16 threads and fast memory support, both the i7-10700F and i7-10700K offer outstanding productivity and gaming performance.
Based on extensive community testing, here is how the two processors compare in some popular games and content creation workloads:
| Application | i7-10700F | i7-10700K | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinebench R23 Multi-Core | 18211 | 19125 | 5.1% |
| Blender BMW Render (Minutes) | 4:25 | 4:10 | 6.8% |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider 1080p Highest | 126 fps | 132 fps | 4.8% |
| Total War: Three Kingdoms 1440p Ultra | 76 fps | 83 fps | 9.2% |
| Adobe Premier Pro Export 4K (Minutes) | 4.2 | 4 | 4.8% |
So we‘re looking at a modest 4-9% performance advantage in favor of the i7-10700K across the board here.
The reason comes down to those extra 200-300MHz in peak boost clocks and added overclocking headroom from the unlocked multiplier.
But keep things in perspective – both processors still offer outstanding performance whether gaming at high refresh rates or plowing through video exports with ease.
That 5-10% difference in benchmarks likely won‘t make a huge perceived difference during real-world usage. So let‘s keep investigating other factors…
Power Efficiency Comparison: i7-10700F is Much Greener
Due to its lower 65 watt TDP, the i7-10700F operates significantly more efficiently than the 125 watt i7-10700K in terms of power draw and thermals.
Here‘s a look at total platform power consumption (processor + motherboard + memory) under both full multi-core load and lighter computing tasks:
| Workload | i7-10700F Power Draw | i7-10700K Power Draw | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinebench R23 Multi-Core | 188 watts | 277 watts | 32% |
| Microsoft Office 365 | 54 watts | 62 watts | 13% |
| Watching YouTube 1080p60 | 41 watts | 44 watts | 7% |
We can see some pretty substantial differences here that have implications on required PSU capacity, noise levels and electricity bills:
- At full tilt in Cinebench, the i7-10700F draws a whopping 89 fewer watts – that‘s 32% less power!
- For lighter tasks like Office work, power savings are smaller but still measurable
- Over a full year of use, estimate about $8 higher electricity costs for the i7-10700K system
Thermals tell a similar story. In a 30 minute full-stress test, the i7-10700F peaked at just 71°C with a basic air cooler compared to a scorching 103°C for the i7-10700K.
Clearly, the i7-10700F‘s efficiency makes it the better pick for compact, quiet PC builds where thermal overhead may be limited. Let‘s keep investigating other considerations…
Intel i7-10700F vs i7-10700K Cost Comparison
In addition to differences in raw performance and power efficiency, there is also a meaningful price premium charged for the i7-10700K:
| Processor | Retail Launch Price | Latest Amazon Price |
|---|---|---|
| Intel i7-10700F | $298 | $309 |
| Intel i7-10700K | $374 | $339 |
- At launch the i7-10700K cost about 20% more than the i7-10700F
- And while street prices fluctuate daily, you can still typically find at least a $30 difference in favor of the i7-10700F
Where does this price difference come from? A few factors likely contribute:
- Extra validation and binning costs to guarantee overclocking potential and thermals
- Decent demand from enthusiasts willing to pay more for max performance
- Larger profit margins on premium K-SKU models
So if squeezing every last dollar for performance matters, the i7-10700F holds strong appeal. You still get fantastic 8-core multitasking power on par with the legendary i7-9700K.
Just keep in mind there is no substitute for integrated graphics like the UHD 630 found in the i7-10700K. Discrete graphics pricing continues to be outrageous. Next let‘s talk overclocking potential.
Overclocking Comparison
One of the main reasons enthusiasts are drawn to the i7-10700K is its fully unlocked multiplier for overclocking beyond maximum Turbo Boost speeds.
In fact, reputable overclockers have achieved speeds up to 5.4 GHz across all cores through fine tuning voltages, chipset power limits and cooling:
(Credit: Overclock.net user Falkentyne)
Because silicon characteristics vary, your exact maximum overclocks may differ. But with adequate cooling, most i7-10700K samples reach 5.1 – 5.3 GHz without issues.
This allows enthusiasts to gain an extra performance boost in games and applications sensitive to clock speeds.
By contrast, the i7-10700F has a locked multiplier so overclocking headroom is nonexistent. Maximum clock speeds are limited by Intel specifications:
- 4.8GHz Maximum Turbo Boost on 1-2 cores
- 4.6GHz All-Core Turbo Boost
So if you hoped to overclock, the i7-10700K is certainly the better pick. But for many users who simply enable XMP memory profiles, the out-of-box speeds from both processors already push well beyond what‘s necessary for smooth high fidelity gaming.
Bottom Line Recommendation
So where does this leave us? The i7-10700F and i7-10700K deliver extremely comparable real-world performance – often within just several percentage points in games and applications.
Between their 8 high-performance cores, HyperThreading support, plentiful cache and fast memory support, you‘ll be well equipped for productivity, gaming, streaming and content creation workloads.
However, if your budget allows, the i7-10700K makes sense for chasing max frame rates through its thermal headroom and overclocking potential. Avid tweakers can push past 5.1GHz if cooling permits.
But for most builders eyeing smoother system integration and the best value, the i7-10700F ticks more boxes while costing over $30 less in many cases:
- Fantastic 1080p and 1440p gaming performance with popular GPUs
- Great fit for compact, efficient PC builds at just 65 watts
- Quieter thermalsreduce need for bulky coolers
- Integrated graphics still work for basic tasks as a backup
So weigh your priorities carefully in terms of budget, performance and system goals. But either way, you‘re getting a monster 8-core Intel processor. Hope this guide helps inform your buying decision!
I‘d be happy to answer any other questions in the comments below if something is unclear. Let me know which CPU you ended up going with for your build!
