Celeron M P4600 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.

Celeron M P4600 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.

Celeron M P4600 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.

Celeron M P4600

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $299 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,886 vs 14,397).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.9 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
❌438.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 95W.

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +417.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+500% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Delivers 70.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.4 vs 21.9 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
✅Draws 95W instead of 512W, a 417W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
347.7% HIGHER MSRP
$385 MSRPvs$86 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than Celeron M P4600?

Yes. Core i7-9700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 417.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 663.4% 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 417.2% 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 663.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 500% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 2 MB).

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 347.7% more expensive on MSRP at $385 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 417.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 70.5% better value on MSRP (37.4 vs 21.9 PassMark/$), 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 2010), 500% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron M P4600 vs Core i7-9700K Technical Specifications

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

Celeron M P4600

The Celeron M P4600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB + 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,886 points. Launch price was $86.

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 Celeron M P4600 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 GHz on the Celeron M P4600 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 84.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K. The Celeron M P4600 uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron M P4600 scores 1,886 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 153.7% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron M P4600 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.

Feature	Celeron M P4600	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	8 / 8+300%
Boost Clock	2 GHz	4.9 GHz+145%
Base Clock	—	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB	12 MB (total)+500%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	1,886	14,397+663%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron M P4600 uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron M P4600	Core i7-9700K
Socket	PGA988	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Celeron M P4600) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Celeron M P4600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Celeron M P4600	Core i7-9700K
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	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 Celeron M P4600 was priced at $86, while the Core i7-9700K came in at $385. On launch pricing ($86 vs $385), Celeron M P4600 was $299 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron M P4600 delivers 21.9 pts/$ vs 37.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Core i7-9700K the 52.1% better value option.

Feature	Celeron M P4600	Core i7-9700K
MSRP	$86-78%	$385
Performance per Dollar	21.9	37.4+71%
Release Date	2010	2018

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