If you are an avid gamer, you’ll want to look for a CPU with higher clock speeds that supports high amounts of RAM. However, don’t get too caught up in the number of cores and threads, as this will likely have less impact than other factors like clock speeds, memory, and your overall system storage. For content creators, it’s probably worth it to shell out a bit more cash for extra cores. You’ll also want more RAM and 4K video support, but you don’t necessarily need those blazing fast clock speeds. Business professionals and home users need security and stability, as well as fast access to frequently used programs like Microsoft Office. If you’re using your PC for work, school, or home use, you can get away with a low of mid-tier i7, and you don’t always need to tack on those extra costs for more cores or lightning-fast clock speeds. Whatever you need your computer to do, we have you covered with the best i7 processors in different categories and price ranges. Our top pick is the Intel Core i7-10700K because it’s a powerful processor at a reasonable price. If you’re looking for something different, we’ve also included budget picks, as well as our top picks for gaming, content creation, and other areas. It supports up to 128GB of DDR4 RAM, and it works with Intel’s Optane Memory technology to learn your most-used apps and programs to keep them at-the-ready for faster access. The i7-10700K is 4K ready, allowing you to future-proof your PC and take full advantage of the integrated graphics technology. With integrated Intel UHD 630 graphics, work and home users won’t have to drop extra cash on a fancy, dedicated video card in order to get great images and framerates (you’ll still want to invest in a separate graphics card if you’re using your PC for gaming though). The regular “K”-less 10700 has a base clock speed of 2.9GHz that maxes out at 4.8GHz with Intel’s Turbo Boost Max 3.0 technology. The CPU comes packaged with a heatsink and cooling fan for optimum operating temperatures. It supports 128GB of DDR4 RAM and Intel’s Optane Memory for extra-fast access to frequently used files and programs. It also has integrated Intel UHD 630 graphics, and it supports 4K video. With this CPU, you can use up to three displays for better multitasking and media streaming. There are CPUs today from both Intel and AMD that boast more cores and more threads, but the i7-8700K’s impressive single-core performance still makes it a fast, reasonably priced option, particularly if you’re focused on gaming. Its formidable base clock rate can be boosted to 4.7GHz, and it tends to remain cool and maintain its temp pretty well. Even though it comes with UHD 630 integrated graphics, you’ll want to pair the i7-8700K with a dedicated graphics card to see its full potential. Coupled with the right card, you’ll be able to handle high-quality 4K games with ease and hit blazing-high frame rates. Intel The 9700K features 8 cores and 8 threads, with a base speed of 3.6GHz. It’s a “K” model, so you can overclock it to 4.9GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 technology. It supports up to 128GB of RAM, as well as 4K video and graphics. With integrated Intel UHD 630 graphics and 64GB of VRAM, you won’t have to drop a ton of money on a discrete graphics card in order to play some of the lighter games in the Steam library. However, you’ll probably want a separate graphics card if you’re planning on doing any sort of heavy gaming. The i79700K is optimized for Optane Memory for faster access to your most-played games; it also supports DirectX12 and Quick Sync Video for editing and sharing your greatest gaming moments. This CPU can support up to three monitors so you can game, chat, and stream with ease. Right out of the box, the speedy base clock and four cores (with hyper-threading) give the i7-7700K the versatility and power necessary to take on high-end games and other tasks. Combine it with a good graphics card, plenty of RAM, and SSD storage, and you have a smooth gaming experience. You’ll get performance similar to newer processors, while potentially saving money for your graphics card, cooling system, and other components for your gaming rig. Like the other i7 CPUs on this list, it’s optimized for Intel’s Optane Memory so you get fast, reliable access to your most-used programs like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. You can use this as a gaming processor, but you have to add a gaming-grade graphics card. This CPU requires discrete graphics anyway. If you spend in other areas (think SSD storage, cooling, RAM), you can end up with a pretty nice rig without overpaying for your CPU. With Flex Memory, you can add up to 128GB of DDR4 RAM to your laptop while having your CPU remain in dual-channel mode. It has integrated Intel UHD 630 graphics and 64GB of VRAM, letting you stream your favorite shows and movies or play popular games without a dedicated GPU. The CPU is also compatible with 4K video and graphics, so you get excellent detail and lifelike images. It supports up to three displays so you can connect your laptop and up to two external monitors if you need to multitask or prefer multi-monitor set-ups.
About Our Trusted Experts
Erika Rawes has been writing professionally for more than a decade, and she’s spent the last five years writing about consumer technology. Erika has reviewed roughly 125 gadgets, including computers, peripherals, games, A/V equipment, mobile devices, and smart home gadgets. Ajay Kumar is Tech Editor at Lifewire. With over seven years of experience, he’s previously been published in PCMag and Newsweek where he reviewed thousands of products including PC hardware, monitors, phones, laptops, and other devices. He built his own gaming rig and though he uses a Ryzen 3700X, he has previously used Intel processors. Alan Bradley is Tech Editor at Lifewire. He has over a decade working in the media industry and has previously been published on PC Gamer and GamesRadar+. With thousands of reviews under his belt, he’s also built his own gaming rig and has used and tested various Intel processors.
What to Look for When Buying Intel i7 Processors
Multitasking and Usage
What do you use your PC for? Are you spending most of your time surfing the web and word processing, or are you performing heavier tasks like content creation? How much multitasking do you need to do? Higher end i7 processors with more cores and features like multi-threading might help boost your PC’s performance. This is particularly useful for graphic designers, media editors, and other people whose work requires a lot of numbers to be crunched or images to be rendered.
Gaming
A gaming processor doesn’t need to have the top specs in terms of core count, but it should be able to handle heat and it should have fast clock speeds (and overclocking). Overclocking can significantly increase your gaming PC’s capabilities. Processors that are overclockable are marked by having a “K” at the end of their name.
Budget
These processors typically cost less than the i9 series, but they still aren’t cheap. You might be able to get away with an even more affordable CPU from Intel’s i5 or i3 lineup. The i3 may be fine for basic browsing and word processing, while the i5 will work for a mix of workflows along with some gaming. Depending on what you plan to do, these or an affordable model from AMD’s Ryzen lineup could be better buys.
