Atom C3708 vs Core i7-9700K

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.

Atom C3708 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.

Atom C3708 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.

Atom C3708

2017

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 17W instead of 95W, a 78W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,750 vs 14,397).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +156.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Atom C3708 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $385 MSRP, while Atom C3708 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌458.8% higher power demand at 95W vs 17W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than Atom C3708?

Yes. Core i7-9700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 156.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 283.9% 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 156.3% 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 283.9% 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 $385 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 156.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (37.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom C3708 vs Core i7-9700K Technical Specifications

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

Atom C3708

The Atom C3708 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1310. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR4: 2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,750 points. Launch price was $209.

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

Both the Atom C3708 and Core i7-9700K share an identical 8-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.7 GHz on the Atom C3708 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 97% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 1.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Atom C3708 uses the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom C3708 scores 3,750 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 117.3% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 16 MB on the Atom C3708 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.

Feature	Atom C3708	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	8 / 8
Boost Clock	1.7 GHz	4.9 GHz+188%
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	3.6 GHz+112%
L3 Cache	16 MB+33%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	16 MB	256K (per core)+1500%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Goldmont (2016−2017)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	3,750	14,397+284%

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Memory & Platform

The Atom C3708 uses the FCBGA1310 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 Atom C3708 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 Atom C3708 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1310 (Atom C3708) and Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K).

Feature	Atom C3708	Core i7-9700K
Socket	FCBGA1310	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-2666+25%
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+100%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom C3708) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Atom C3708 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.