A4-9120 vs Core i7-9700K

A4-9120 vs Core i7-9700K Performance Spectrum

A4-9120

2 / 2

1,222

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-9700K

8 / 8

14,397

+1078.2%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

A4-9120 vs Core i7-9700K FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

A4-9120 vs Core i7-9700K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A4-9120

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 1W instead of 95W, a 94W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,222 vs 14,397).

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +639.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $385 MSRP, while A4-9120 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌9400% higher power demand at 95W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than A4-9120?

Yes. Core i7-9700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 639.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1078.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-9700K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 639.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-9700K is the stronger fit. You are getting 1078.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-9700K is the better buy right now. Core i7-9700K comes in at an unclear MSRP at $385 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 639.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (37.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-9700K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A4-9120 vs Core i7-9700K Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

A4-9120

The A4-9120 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: BGA. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,222 points. Launch price was $50.

Core i7-9700K

The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.

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Processing Power

The A4-9120 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i7-9700K offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the A4-9120 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 64.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The A4-9120 uses the Stoney Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A4-9120 scores 1,222 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 168.7% lead for the Core i7-9700K.

Feature	A4-9120	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	8 / 8+300%
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	4.9 GHz+96%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3.6 GHz+64%
L3 Cache	—	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	28 nm	14 nm-50%
Architecture	Stoney Ridge (2016−2019)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	1,222	14,397+1078%
Geekbench 6 Single	350	—

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Memory & Platform

The A4-9120 uses the BGA socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the A4-9120 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K — the Core i7-9700K supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-9700K supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (A4-9120) vs 2 (Core i7-9700K). PCIe lanes: 8 (A4-9120) vs 16 (Core i7-9700K) — the Core i7-9700K offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A4-9120	Core i7-9700K
Socket	BGA	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-2666+25%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	128 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	16+100%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-9700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A4-9120) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R3 (A4-9120) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-9120 targets Entry Laptop, Core i7-9700K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: A4-9120 rivals Celeron N3350.