The Intel Core i9-14900 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory in ten out of fourteen measured specifications. While the Intel Core i7-8700K maintains a notable lead in base clock speed, which is 85% better than its counterpart, the Intel Core i9-14900 offers a significantly more robust architecture. The most impactful advantage for the newer processor is its L2 cache, which is 2033% better than the cache capacity found in the older model.

Users prioritizing raw base clock frequency for specific legacy workloads should select the Intel Core i7-8700K. Conversely, the Intel Core i9-14900 is the superior choice for those who require the massive L2 cache advantage and the overall technical superiority provided by its ten winning specifications. Choosing the latter ensures access to the more modern architecture, whereas the former remains a viable option only if the specific base clock advantage is required for your computing needs.