A6-9500E vs Core i7-9700K

AMD

A6-9500E

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2017
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018
Similar parts
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A6-9500E vs Core i7-9700K Performance Spectrum

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.

A6-9500E 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.

A6-9500E 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.

A6-9500E

2017

Why buy it

  • Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (1,741 vs 14,397).

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +433.4% 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 A6-9500E mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than A6-9500E?
Yes. Core i7-9700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 433.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 726.9% 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 433.4% 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 726.9% 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 $385 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 433.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (37.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, A6-9500E can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.
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.

A6-9500E vs Core i7-9700K Technical Specifications

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

AMD

A6-9500E

The A6-9500E is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1024 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 1,741 points. Launch price was $70.

Intel

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.

Processing Power

The A6-9500E 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 3.4 GHz on the A6-9500E versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 36.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The A6-9500E uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A6-9500E scores 1,741 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 156.8% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A6-9500E vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.

FeatureA6-9500ECore i7-9700K
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
8 / 8+300%
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz
4.9 GHz+44%
Base Clock
3 GHz
3.6 GHz+20%
L3 Cache
0 kB
12 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1024 kB+300%
256K (per core)
Process
28 nm
14 nm-50%
Architecture
Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)
Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark
1,741
14,397+727%
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Memory & Platform

The A6-9500E uses the AM4 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 DDR4-2400 on the A6-9500E versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K — the Core i7-9700K supports 11.1% 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 32 GB 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A6-9500E) vs 16 (Core i7-9700K) — the Core i7-9700K offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM4 (A6-9500E) and Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K).

FeatureA6-9500ECore i7-9700K
Socket
AM4
LGA1151
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2400
DDR4-2666+11%
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
128 GB+300%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
8
16+100%
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (A6-9500E) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). Both include integrated graphics AMD Radeon R5 (A6-9500E) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

FeatureA6-9500ECore i7-9700K
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
AMD Radeon R5
UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Desktop