Athlon II X2 220
Core i7-9700K
Athlon II X2 220 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.
Athlon II X2 220 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Athlon II X2 220 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.
Athlon II X2 220
2010Why buy it
- ✅Costs $353 less on MSRP ($32 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.
- ✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Core i7-9700K.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (1,046 vs 14,397).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.7 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($32 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
- ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Core i7-9700K
2018Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +776.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Delivers 14.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.4 vs 32.7 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $32 MSRP).
- ✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Athlon II X2 220 needs a discrete GPU.
Trade-offs
- ❌1103.1% HIGHER MSRP$385 MSRPvs$32 MSRP
- ❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.
- ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 220.
Quick Answers
So, is Core i7-9700K better than Athlon II X2 220?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Athlon II X2 220 vs Core i7-9700K Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
Athlon II X2 220
The Athlon II X2 220 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,046 points. Launch price was $32.
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 Athlon II X2 220 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 2.8 GHz on the Athlon II X2 220 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 54.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Athlon II X2 220 uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 220 scores 1,046 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 172.9% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X2 220 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 220 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 8 / 8+300% |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz | 4.9 GHz+75% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3.6 GHz+29% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB+100% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 14 nm-69% |
| Architecture | Regor (2009−2013) | Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) |
| PassMark | 1,046 | 14,397+1276% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 285 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 500 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X2 220 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Athlon II X2 220 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K — the Core i7-9700K supports 100% 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 16 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X2 220) vs 16 (Core i7-9700K) — the Core i7-9700K offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X2 220) and Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K).
| Feature | Athlon II X2 220 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333 | DDR4-2666+100% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 128 GB+700% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | No | No |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i7-9700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: true (Athlon II X2 220) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Athlon II X2 220 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 220 rivals Pentium E5500.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 220 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Athlon II X2 220 was priced at $32, while the Core i7-9700K came in at $385. On launch pricing ($32 vs $385), Athlon II X2 220 was $353 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 220 delivers 32.7 pts/$ vs 37.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Core i7-9700K the 13.4% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 220 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $32-92% | $385 |
| Performance per Dollar | 32.7 | 37.4+14% |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2018 |
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