Atom x5-E8000 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 x5-E8000 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 x5-E8000 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 x5-E8000

2016

Why buy it

✅Costs $367 less on MSRP ($18 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Delivers 378.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 178.8 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($18 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 5W instead of 95W, a 90W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,219 vs 14,397).

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +225.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 178.8 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $18 MSRP).
❌1800% higher power demand at 95W vs 5W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than Atom x5-E8000?

Yes. Core i7-9700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 225.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 347.3% 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 225.0% 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 347.3% 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 still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-9700K comes in 2038.9% more expensive on MSRP at $385 MSRP versus $18 MSRP, and it still gives you a 225.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Atom x5-E8000 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2016 platform. Even with 378.2% better value on paper (178.8 vs 37.4 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on that older platform.

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 2016) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom x5-E8000 vs Core i7-9700K Technical Specifications

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

Atom x5-E8000

The Atom x5-E8000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 February 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.04 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,219 points. Launch price was $39.

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 Atom x5-E8000 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-9700K offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.04 GHz on the Atom x5-E8000 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 130% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K. The Atom x5-E8000 uses the Cherry Trail (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-E8000 scores 3,219 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 126.9% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-E8000 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.

Feature	Atom x5-E8000	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	1.04 GHz	4.9 GHz+371%
Base Clock	—	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Cherry Trail (2015−2016)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	3,219	14,397+347%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Atom x5-E8000 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K — the Core i7-9700K supports 66.6% 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. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Atom x5-E8000) vs 16 (Core i7-9700K) — the Core i7-9700K offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1170 (Atom x5-E8000) and Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K).

Feature	Atom x5-E8000	Core i7-9700K
Socket	—	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR4-2666+67%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	128 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	16+300%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom x5-E8000) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Braswell) (Atom x5-E8000) 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 x5-E8000	Core i7-9700K
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Braswell)	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Atom x5-E8000 was priced at $18, while the Core i7-9700K came in at $385. On launch pricing ($18 vs $385), Atom x5-E8000 was $367 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Atom x5-E8000 delivers 178.8 pts/$ vs 37.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Atom x5-E8000 the 130.8% better value option.

Feature	Atom x5-E8000	Core i7-9700K
MSRP	$18-95%	$385
Performance per Dollar	178.8+378%	37.4
Release Date	2016	2018

Search Atom x5-E8000 on Amazon

Search Core i7-9700K on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.