Core i3-330E 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.

Core i3-330E 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.

Core i3-330E 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.

Core i3-330E

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $208 less on MSRP ($177 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,260 vs 14,397).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.1 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($177 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: +632.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Delivers 425.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.4 vs 7.1 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $177 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i3-330E needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌
117.5% HIGHER MSRP
$385 MSRPvs$177 MSRP
❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than Core i3-330E?

Yes. Core i7-9700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 632.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1042.6% 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 632.6% 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 1042.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 3 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 117.5% more expensive on MSRP at $385 MSRP versus $177 MSRP, and it still gives you a 632.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 425.3% better value on MSRP (37.4 vs 7.1 PassMark/$), 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), 300% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-330E vs Core i7-9700K Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-330E

The Core i3-330E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 0.03 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,260 points. Launch price was $177.

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 i3-330E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-9700K offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.03 GHz on the Core i3-330E versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 197.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 2.13 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-330E uses the Westmere (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-330E scores 1,260 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 167.8% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-330E vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.

Feature	Core i3-330E	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	8 / 8+300%
Boost Clock	0.03 GHz	4.9 GHz+16233%
Base Clock	2.13 GHz	3.6 GHz+69%
L3 Cache	3 MB	12 MB (total)+300%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Westmere (2010−2011)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	1,260	14,397+1043%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-330E 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	Core i3-330E	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

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-330E) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i3-330E requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-330E	Core i7-9700K
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-330E was priced at $177, while the Core i7-9700K came in at $385. On launch pricing ($177 vs $385), Core i3-330E was $208 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-330E delivers 7.1 pts/$ vs 37.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Core i7-9700K the 136% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-330E	Core i7-9700K
MSRP	$177-54%	$385
Performance per Dollar	7.1	37.4+427%
Release Date	2010	2018

Search Core i3-330E 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.