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Intel Core i7-7700K

Intel Core i7-7700K

Intel Core i7-7700K: Architecture, Compatibility, and Relevance in 2025

An Updated Look at the Legendary Enthusiast CPU

Key Features: Kaby Lake in Detail

The Intel Core i7-7700K, released in 2017, remains an iconic chip for PC enthusiasts. Despite its age, it is still used in budget and niche builds.

Architecture and Process Technology

- Codename: Kaby Lake (7th generation Intel).

- Process Technology: 14 nm (third iteration of Intel’s 14 nm technology, optimized for stability and clock speeds).

- Cores/Threads: 4 cores, 8 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading.

- Frequencies: Base — 4.2 GHz, maximum in Turbo Boost — 4.5 GHz.

- Cache: 8 MB L3, which is modest for 2025 but sufficient for light tasks.

- TDP: 91 W (high for a 4-core CPU, especially when overclocked).

Key Features:

- Unlocked Multiplier — Overclockers still push it to 5 GHz with good cooling.

- Supports Intel Optane Memory — Speeds up HDD performance.

- Integrated Graphics Intel HD Graphics 630 — Suitable for office PCs or systems without a discrete GPU.

Performance:

- Geekbench 6: Single-Core — 1563, Multi-Core — 5093.

- In 2025, these metrics lag behind even budget CPUs like the Core i3-13100F (Single-Core ~2200), but it is adequate for older games and basic tasks.

Compatible Motherboards

Socket and Chipsets

- Socket: LGA 1151 (version v1, not compatible with Coffee Lake 8th generation processors!).

- Chipsets: H110, B250, H270, Z270.

- Z270 — the only chipset with overclocking support.

- B250/H270 — suitable for standard operation.

Considerations in 2025:

- New motherboards for LGA 1151 v1 are no longer produced. Prices on the secondary market range from $50 (B250) to $120 (Z270 in good condition).

- Check BIOS: For operation with the i7-7700K, some H110 boards require a firmware update.

Memory Support

- Type: DDR4-2400 (officially), but many overclock modules to 3000 MHz.

- Maximum Capacity: 64 GB (4 slots × 16 GB).

- Important: DDR5 and newer standards are not supported.

Tip: Use dual-channel kits (2×8 GB or 2×16 GB) for maximum performance. In 2025, DDR4-2400 is considered slow, but it’s acceptable for older systems.

Power Supply Recommendations

- Basic Calculation:

- i7-7700K (91 W) + mid-range graphics card like NVIDIA RTX 3060 (170 W) + other components ≈ 350–400 W.

- Recommended PSU: 500–550 W with 80+ Bronze certification (e.g., Corsair CX550M — $65).

- For overclocking: Choose models from 650 W (Be Quiet! Pure Power 12 M — $90).

Mistakes to Avoid:

- Don’t skimp on the PSU! Older models with low efficiency can cause instability under load.

Pros and Cons of the i7-7700K in 2025

Advantages:

- High single-thread performance — relevant for older games (e.g., CS:GO, GTA V).

- Availability — on the secondary market priced at $80–120.

- Upgrade Ease — if you already have a board for LGA 1151 v1.

Disadvantages:

- 4 cores/8 threads — Multi-threaded tasks (rendering, streaming) are slow.

- Lacks PCIe 4.0/5.0 — Modern SSDs and GPUs won’t unlock the full potential.

- Outdated socket — No upgrade path without replacing the motherboard.

Use Case Scenarios

Gaming:

- 1080p/60 FPS in titles up to 2020 (The Witcher 3, Rainbow Six Siege).

- Limitations: In games emphasizing multi-threading (Cyberpunk 2077), drops to 40 FPS are possible.

Work Tasks:

- Suitable for: Office applications, web development, light video editing (1080p in Premiere Pro).

- Not suitable for: 3D rendering, neural network tasks, 4K editing.

Multimedia:

- Viewing 4K video, streaming (with a discrete GPU), working with photos in Photoshop.

Comparison with Competitors

AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (2017):

- 6 cores/12 threads, but weaker in single-thread tests (Geekbench 6 Single-Core ~1100).

- Price on the secondary market: $60–90. Conclusion: Better for multitasking — Ryzen, better for gaming — i7.

Intel Core i5-13400F (2023):

- 10 cores (6P+4E)/16 threads, Geekbench 6 Multi-Core ~12000.

- New price: $180. Conclusion: i5-13400F is twice as powerful but requires a motherboard change.

Practical Assembly Tips

1. Check Compatibility: Ensure the motherboard supports Kaby Lake (may require BIOS version P2.00 or newer).

2. Cooling: For overclocking, consider a cooler like the DeepCool AK620 ($60) or a 240 mm AIO cooler.

3. Graphics Card: Do not install an RTX 4070 or equivalent — the CPU will bottleneck. Optimal: RTX 3060 or RX 6600.

4. Storage: Choose NVMe SSDs with PCIe 3.0 (e.g., Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB — $90).

Final Conclusion: Who Should Consider the i7-7700K in 2025?

This processor is worth considering only in two scenarios:

1. Upgrading an old system: If you already have an LGA 1151 v1 motherboard and DDR4 memory.

2. Budget gaming build: For less demanding games or as a temporary solution.

Not recommended for new PCs — the market offers fresher and more efficient options (AMD Ryzen 5 7600, Intel Core i5-14400F). However, as part of a retro build or for specific tasks, it may still find a place.

Prices are listed for new devices as of April 2025. The i7-7700K is available only in used condition on the market.

Basic

Label Name
Intel
Platform
Desktop
Launch Date
January 2017
Model Name
?
The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.
i7-7700K
Code Name
Kaby Lake

CPU Specifications

Total Cores
?
Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).
4
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
8
Basic Frequency
4.20 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency
?
Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.
4.50 GHz
Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Frequency
4.50 GHz
Intel Turbo Boost Technology
?
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.
2.0
Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
?
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.
Yes
L3 Cache
8 MB
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
FCLGA1151
Technology
?
Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.
14 nm
TDP
91 W
Max. Operating Temperature
?
Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.
100°C
PCI Express Version
?
PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.
3.0
Number of PCI Express Lanes
?
A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.
16
Intel 64
?
Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.
Yes
Instruction Set
?
The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.
64-bit
PCI Express Configurations
?
PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.
Up to 1x16 | 2x8 | 1x8+2x4

Memory Specifications

Memory Type
?
Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.
DDR4-2133/2400 | DDR3L-1333/1600 @ 1.35V
Max Memory Size
?
Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.
64 GB
Memory Channels
?
The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.
2
Bus Speed
8 GT/s
ECC Memory Supported
?
ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.
No

GPU Specifications

GPU Name
Intel® HD Graphics 630
Graphics Base Frequency
?
Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.
350 MHz
Graphics Frequency
?
Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.
1.15 GHz
Graphics Video Max Memory
64 GB
4K Support
Yes | at 60Hz
DirectX Support
?
DirectX* Support indicates support for a specific version of Microsoft’s collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling multimedia compute tasks.
12
Max Resolution (HDMI)
?
Max Resolution (HDMI) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the HDMI interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.
4096x2304@24Hz
Max Resolution (DP)
?
Max Resolution (DP) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the DP interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.
4096x2304@60Hz
Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)
?
Max Resolution (Integrated Flat Panel) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor for a device with an integrated flat panel (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your device.
4096x2304@60Hz
Number of Displays Supported
3

Miscellaneous

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
?
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.
Yes
Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
?
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.
Yes
Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)
?
Intel® Standard Manageability is the manageability solution for Intel vPro® Essentials platforms and is a subset of Intel® AMT with out-of-band management over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, but no KVM or new life cycle management features.
Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2 | Intel® AVX2
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology
?
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.
Yes
Execute Disable Bit
?
Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.
Yes
Cache
?
CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.
8 MB Intel® Smart Cache
Intel AES New Instructions
?
Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.
Yes
Intel Boot Guard
?
Intel® Device Protection Technology with Boot Guard helps protect the system’s pre-OS environment from viruses and malicious software attacks.
Yes
Intel Clear Video HD Technology
?
Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor, Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology adds video quality enhancements for richer color and more realistic skin tones.
Yes
Intel Clear Video Technology
Yes
Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)
?
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.
Yes
Intel InTru 3D Technology
Yes
Intel OS Guard
Yes
OpenGL Support
?
OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-language, multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.
4.5
Intel Quick Sync Video
?
Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.
Yes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6
Single Core Score
1563
Geekbench 6
Multi Core Score
5093
Geekbench 5
Single Core Score
1204
Geekbench 5
Multi Core Score
4592
Passmark CPU
Single Core Score
2725
Passmark CPU
Multi Core Score
9655

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core
Core i7-8086K
1677 +7.3%
Xeon W-3323
1633 +4.5%
Core i7-7700K
1563
Core i5-1130G7
1510 -3.4%
Xeon W-3225
1453 -7%
Geekbench 6 Multi Core
Core i7-1265UE
5732 +12.5%
Xeon E5-2640 v3
5428 +6.6%
Core i7-7700K
5093
Core i5-9400F
4803 -5.7%
Xeon D-2141I
4524 -11.2%
Geekbench 5 Single Core
Core i5-1145G7
1287 +6.9%
Ryzen 5 5600H
1243 +3.2%
Core i7-7700K
1204
Core i9-9920X
1171 -2.7%
Ryzen Embedded V2718
1142 -5.1%
Geekbench 5 Multi Core
Core i7-9700TE
5031 +9.6%
Xeon W-1250TE
4792 +4.4%
Core i7-7700K
4592
Core i7-1185G7
4353 -5.2%
Xeon W-2123
4110 -10.5%
Passmark CPU Single Core
Xeon E-2226G
2821 +3.5%
Core i7-9700F
2762 +1.4%
Core i7-7700K
2725
Core i9-10900X
2685 -1.5%
Xeon W-2295
2651 -2.7%
Passmark CPU Multi Core
Core i9-8950HK
10567 +9.4%
Xeon Silver 4110
10146 +5.1%
Core i7-7700K
9655
Xeon E3-1275 v6
9254 -4.2%
Xeon E5-2630L v3
8811 -8.7%