C-30 vs Core i7-9700K

CPU

GPU

C-30

1 Cores1 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.2 GHz2011

Similar parts

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Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018

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C-30 vs Core i7-9700K Performance Spectrum

C-30

1 / 1

201

0.0%

Ryzen 7 4700GE

Ryzen 9 5900X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

Ryzen Threadripper 7980X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX

Core i7-9700K

8 / 8

14,397

+7062.7%

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.

C-30 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.

C-30 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.

C-30

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $335 less on MSRP ($50 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (201 vs 14,397).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.0 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
❌438.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 95W.

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4389.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 830.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.4 vs 4.0 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
✅Draws 95W instead of 512W, a 417W reduction.
✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
670% HIGHER MSRP
$385 MSRPvs$50 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than C-30?

Yes. Core i7-9700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4389.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 7062.7% 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 4389.2% 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 7062.7% 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 670.0% more expensive on MSRP at $385 MSRP versus $50 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4389.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 830.2% better value on MSRP (37.4 vs 4.0 PassMark/$), 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 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

C-30 vs Core i7-9700K Technical Specifications

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

C-30

The C-30 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Ontario (2011−2012) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 40 nm process technology. Socket: FT1. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB. Memory support: DDR3 Single-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 201 points. Launch price was $69.

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 C-30 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Core i7-9700K offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 7 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the C-30 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 121.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K. The C-30 uses the Ontario (2011−2012) architecture (40 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the C-30 scores 201 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 194.5% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 0 kB on the C-30 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.

Feature	C-30	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	8 / 8+700%
Boost Clock	1.2 GHz	4.9 GHz+308%
Base Clock	—	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	40 nm	14 nm-65%
Architecture	Ontario (2011−2012)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	201	14,397+7063%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The C-30 uses the FT1 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 C-30 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 (C-30) vs 2 (Core i7-9700K). PCIe lanes: 4 (C-30) vs 16 (Core i7-9700K) — the Core i7-9700K offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD BGA413 (C-30) and Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K).

Feature	C-30	Core i7-9700K
Socket	FT1	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%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (C-30) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 6250 (C-30) 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	C-30	Core i7-9700K
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Radeon HD 6250	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the C-30 was priced at $50, while the Core i7-9700K came in at $385. On launch pricing ($50 vs $385), C-30 was $335 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the C-30 delivers 4.0 pts/$ vs 37.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Core i7-9700K the 161.2% better value option.

Feature	C-30	Core i7-9700K
MSRP	$50-87%	$385
Performance per Dollar	4.0	37.4+835%
Release Date	2011	2018

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