Celeron U3400 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 U3400 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 U3400 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 U3400

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $299 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 18W instead of 95W, a 77W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (575 vs 14,397).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.7 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +1538.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+500% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Delivers 459.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.4 vs 6.7 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Celeron U3400 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌
347.7% HIGHER MSRP
$385 MSRPvs$86 MSRP
❌427.8% higher power demand at 95W vs 18W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than Celeron U3400?

Yes. Core i7-9700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1538.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2403.8% 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 1538.4% 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 2403.8% 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 $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1538.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 459.3% better value on MSRP (37.4 vs 6.7 PassMark/$), 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 U3400 vs Core i7-9700K Technical Specifications

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

Celeron U3400

The Celeron U3400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.06 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 575 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 Celeron U3400 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 0.07 GHz on the Celeron U3400 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 194.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 1.06 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Celeron U3400 uses the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron U3400 scores 575 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 184.6% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron U3400 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.

Feature	Celeron U3400	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	8 / 8+300%
Boost Clock	0.07 GHz	4.9 GHz+6900%
Base Clock	1.06 GHz	3.6 GHz+240%
L3 Cache	2 MB	12 MB (total)+500%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Westmere (2010−2011)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	575	14,397+2404%

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron U3400 uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron U3400	Core i7-9700K
Socket	BGA1288	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 U3400) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Celeron U3400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Celeron U3400	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 U3400 was priced at $86, while the Core i7-9700K came in at $385. On launch pricing ($86 vs $385), Celeron U3400 was $299 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron U3400 delivers 6.7 pts/$ vs 37.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Core i7-9700K the 139.3% better value option.

Feature	Celeron U3400	Core i7-9700K
MSRP	$86-78%	$385
Performance per Dollar	6.7	37.4+458%
Release Date	2010	2018

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