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 N2800 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 N2800 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 N2800

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $338 less on MSRP ($47 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 7W instead of 95W, a 88W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,829 vs 14,397).

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +416.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
719.1% HIGHER MSRP
$385 MSRPvs$47 MSRP
❌1257.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 7W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than Atom N2800?

Yes. Core i7-9700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 416.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 687.2% 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 416.5% 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 687.2% 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 easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i7-9700K comes in 719.1% more expensive on MSRP at $385 MSRP versus $47 MSRP, and it still gives you a 416.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Atom N2800 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 416.5% in the shared gaming data.

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 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom N2800 vs Core i7-9700K Technical Specifications

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

Atom N2800

The Atom N2800 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Cedarview-M (2011−2012) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.87 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 6.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,829 points. Launch price was $47.

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 Atom N2800 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-9700K offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.87 GHz on the Atom N2800 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 89.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 1.86 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Atom N2800 uses the Cedarview-M (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom N2800 scores 1,829 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 154.9% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom N2800 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.

Feature	Atom N2800	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	8 / 8+300%
Boost Clock	1.87 GHz	4.9 GHz+162%
Base Clock	1.86 GHz	3.6 GHz+94%
L3 Cache	0 kB	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Cedarview-M (2011−2012)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	1,829	14,397+687%

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Memory & Platform

The Atom N2800 uses the FCBGA559 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 DDR3-1066 on the Atom N2800 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K — the Core i7-9700K supports 150.1% 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 4 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom N2800) vs 2 (Core i7-9700K). PCIe lanes: 4 (Atom N2800) vs 16 (Core i7-9700K) — the Core i7-9700K offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel NM10 (Atom N2800) and Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K).

Feature	Atom N2800	Core i7-9700K
Socket	FCBGA559	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR4-2666+150%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	128 GB+3100%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	16+300%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom N2800) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). Both include integrated graphics — Intel GMA 3650 (Atom N2800) 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.

Feature	Atom N2800	Core i7-9700K
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel GMA 3650	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Atom N2800 was priced at $47, while the Core i7-9700K came in at $385. On launch pricing ($47 vs $385), Atom N2800 was $338 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Atom N2800 delivers 38.9 pts/$ vs 37.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Atom N2800 the 4% better value option.

Feature	Atom N2800	Core i7-9700K
MSRP	$47-88%	$385
Performance per Dollar	38.9+4%	37.4
Release Date	2011	2018

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