The Intel Core i3-14100 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing more total spec victories than its counterpart. Its most significant technical advantage is the L2 cache, which is 233% larger than that of the Intel Core i7-8700K. This substantial improvement in cache capacity provides the primary performance edge for the newer processor, allowing it to outperform the older model across the majority of the measured technical specifications.

Users prioritizing modern architecture and the superior L2 cache capacity should select the Intel Core i3-14100 for their builds. Conversely, those who require a higher total core count should choose the Intel Core i7-8700K, as it maintains a 50% advantage in that specific category. Your final decision should depend on whether your workload benefits more from the increased cache efficiency of the newer chip or the higher core count offered by the older model.