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 N3010 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 N3010 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 N3010

2016

Why buy it

✅Costs $278 less on MSRP ($107 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 4W instead of 95W, a 91W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (735 vs 14,397).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.9 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($107 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +1159.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 444.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.4 vs 6.9 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $107 MSRP).
✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
259.8% HIGHER MSRP
$385 MSRPvs$107 MSRP
❌2275% higher power demand at 95W vs 4W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than Celeron N3010?

Yes. Core i7-9700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1159.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1858.8% 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 1159.6% 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 1858.8% 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 259.8% more expensive on MSRP at $385 MSRP versus $107 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1159.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 444.4% better value on MSRP (37.4 vs 6.9 PassMark/$), 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 2016) 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 N3010 vs Core i7-9700K Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N3010

The Celeron N3010 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Airmont (2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.04 GHz, with boost up to 2.24 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 4 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 735 points. Launch price was $107.

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 Celeron N3010 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 2.24 GHz on the Celeron N3010 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 74.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 1.04 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Celeron N3010 uses the Airmont (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N3010 scores 735 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 180.6% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron N3010 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.

Feature	Celeron N3010	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	8 / 8+300%
Boost Clock	2.24 GHz	4.9 GHz+119%
Base Clock	1.04 GHz	3.6 GHz+246%
L3 Cache	0 kB	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Airmont (2016)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	735	14,397+1859%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron N3010 uses the FCBGA1170 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 1600 on the Celeron N3010 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 (Celeron N3010) vs 16 (Core i7-9700K) — the Core i7-9700K offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Braswell (Celeron N3010) and Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K).

Feature	Celeron N3010	Core i7-9700K
Socket	FCBGA1170	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	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 support: true (Celeron N3010) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 400 (Celeron N3010) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron N3010 targets Budget Mobile, Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Celeron N3010	Core i7-9700K
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 400	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget Mobile	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron N3010 was priced at $107, while the Core i7-9700K came in at $385. On launch pricing ($107 vs $385), Celeron N3010 was $278 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron N3010 delivers 6.9 pts/$ vs 37.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Core i7-9700K the 137.9% better value option.

Feature	Celeron N3010	Core i7-9700K
MSRP	$107-72%	$385
Performance per Dollar	6.9	37.4+442%
Release Date	2016	2018

Search Celeron N3010 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.