Apple S8 vs Intel Core i7-8700

Apple S8

The Apple S8 is a 64-Bit dual core processor for the Apple Watch Series 8. It integrates a GPU, 32 GB flash memory, Bluetooth 5.0, 1 GB RAM, 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 and 5 GHz WiFi and satellite positioning (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS). According to Apple the SiP has two CPU cores based on the Apple A13 and offers 20% more performance than the old Apple S5 in the Watch Series 5. It looks like the S8 is technically identical with the Apple S6 and S7 (same model number of t8301).

Intel Core i7-8700

The Intel Core i7-8700 is a high-end desktop processor with six cores based on the Coffee Lake architecture and was announced in September 2017. The processor clocks at between 3.2 and 4.6 GHz and can execute up to twelve threads simultaneously thanks to Hyper-Threading. According to Intel, the CPU is manufactured in an improved 14nm (14nm++) process. Compared to the slightly higher clocked Core i7-8700K, the i7-8700 offers a lower TDP and no unlocked multiplier (no easy overclocking).

Performance

Due to the two additional cores, performance has increased by almost 50% compared to the previous quad-core Kaby Lake models. Single-core performance has not improved much. As a high-end model, the i7-8700 is suitable for the most demanding applications and games.

Graphics

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 iGPU is supposed to offer higher performance as its clock rate has been increased by 50 MHz. The build is identical to that of the Intel HD Graphics 630. We do expect a performance improvement, but as a low-end solution it will probably only display current games smoothly at reduced details - if at all.

Power Consumption

Intel specifies the TDP with 65 watts. Therefore, well-dimensioned cooling systems should easily manage to deal with the created heat. We expect increased efficiency due to the higher performance.