
Core 2 Solo SU3300 vs Core i7-9700K

Core 2 Solo SU3300

Core i7-9700K
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Core 2 Solo SU3300 is positioned at rank #1211 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Solo SU3300
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-9700K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Solo SU3300 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($50) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Solo SU3300 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+189%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($50) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Solo SU3300 and Core i7-9700K

Core 2 Solo SU3300
The Core 2 Solo SU3300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 August 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.2 GHz. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 3 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,247 points. Launch price was $262.

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 Core 2 Solo SU3300 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 Core 2 Solo SU3300 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 121.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K. The Core 2 Solo SU3300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Solo SU3300 scores 1,247 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 168.1% lead for the Core i7-9700K.
| Feature | Core 2 Solo SU3300 | 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 | — | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+1100% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 14 nm-69% |
| Architecture | Penryn (2008−2011) | Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) |
| PassMark | 1,247 | 14,397+1055% |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Solo SU3300 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Core 2 Solo SU3300 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K — the Core i7-9700K supports 66.7% 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 — 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Core 2 Solo SU3300) vs 2 (Core i7-9700K). PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Solo SU3300) vs 16 (Core i7-9700K) — the Core i7-9700K offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core 2 Solo SU3300 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA956 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 3.0+173% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-800 | DDR4-2666+100% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4 GB | 128 GB+3100% |
| RAM Channels | 1 | 2+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i7-9700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Solo SU3300) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core 2 Solo SU3300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Solo SU3300 targets Mobile, Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core 2 Solo SU3300 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Mobile | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Solo SU3300 launched at $262 MSRP, while the Core i7-9700K debuted at $385. At current prices ($50 vs $200), the Core 2 Solo SU3300 is $150 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Solo SU3300 delivers 24.9 pts/$ vs 72.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Core i7-9700K the 97.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Solo SU3300 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $262-32% | $385 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50-75% | $200 |
| Performance per Dollar | 24.9 | 72.0+189% |
| Release Date | 2008 | 2018 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.















