Core i3-4150
VS
Core i7-9700K

Core i3-4150 vs Core i7-9700K

Intel

Core i3-4150

2 Cores4 Thrd54 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2014
VS
Intel

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018

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 i3-4150 is positioned at rank #960 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4150

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
25719%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
24302%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
17645%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
5316%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
4211%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
3683%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
2110%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
2082%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
1896%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
1896%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
1875%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
1824%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
1798%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
1791%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
1775%
#960
Core i3-4150
MSRP: $281|Avg: $70
100%
#961
Core i5-750
MSRP: $210|Avg: $30
100%
#962
Core i3-2100T
MSRP: $127|Avg: $127
100%
#963
Pentium E2210
MSRP: $84|Avg: $15
99%
#964
Core i3-560
MSRP: $138|Avg: $10
98%
#965
Core i3-550
MSRP: $138|Avg: $5
98%
#966
Core i7-980
MSRP: $583|Avg: $50
98%
#967
Pentium G3250
MSRP: $171|Avg: $25
97%
#968
Pentium E2200
MSRP: $84|Avg: $5
97%
#969
Core 2 Duo E7300
MSRP: $133|Avg: $133
96%
#970
Core i3-540
MSRP: $133|Avg: $5
96%
#972
Phenom II X3 700e
MSRP: $125|Avg: $40
96%
#973
Core i5-760
MSRP: $230|Avg: $61
96%
#974
Core i3-7102E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $80
95%
#975
Core 2 Quad Q8400
MSRP: $183|Avg: $128
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-9700K

#259
Core i3-9100TE
MSRP: $122|Avg: $60
106%
#260
Core i5-12500T
MSRP: $302|Avg: $214
106%
#261
Core i9-13900
MSRP: $549|Avg: $599
105%
#262
Core i7-11700
MSRP: $323|Avg: $274
105%
#262
Core i7-8700K
MSRP: $359|Avg: $160
53%
#263
Core i9-13900T
MSRP: $549|Avg: $570
104%
#264
Processor 300T
MSRP: $82|Avg: $82
103%
#265
Athlon 3000G
MSRP: $49|Avg: $60
103%
#266
Athlon 220GE
MSRP: $65|Avg: $60
103%
#267
Ryzen 9 3900X
MSRP: $499|Avg: $441
102%
#268
Core i5-10500
MSRP: $200|Avg: $178
102%
#269
Celeron G6900T
MSRP: $42|Avg: $50
102%
#270
Core i9-10850K
MSRP: $453|Avg: $300
102%
#271
Core i9-13900E
MSRP: $554|Avg: $554
101%
#272
Core i9-9820X
MSRP: $889|Avg: $280
101%
#273
Core i9-9900X
MSRP: $989|Avg: $300
100%
#274
Ryzen 7 1800X
MSRP: $499|Avg: $120
45%
#274
Core i7-9700K
MSRP: $385|Avg: $200
100%
#275
Core i3-10320
MSRP: $154|Avg: $140
99%
#276
Core i5-9600KF
MSRP: $262|Avg: $150
99%
#277
Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE
MSRP: $180|Avg: $180
98%
#278
Ryzen Threadripper 1900X
MSRP: $549|Avg: $116
43%
#278
Core i7-14701TE
MSRP: $392|Avg: $390
98%
#279
Ryzen Threadripper 1920X
MSRP: $799|Avg: $265
40%
#279
Core i9-11900KF
MSRP: $513|Avg: $349
98%
#280
Athlon Silver 3050GE
MSRP: $75|Avg: $65
97%
#280
Core i7-7820X
MSRP: $599|Avg: $198
40%
#281
Core i7-9700E
MSRP: $259|Avg: $180
97%
#282
Core i7-11700K
MSRP: $399|Avg: $350
97%
#283
Ryzen Threadripper 1920
MSRP: $799|Avg: $200
38%
#283
Ryzen 7 PRO 3700
MSRP: $329|Avg: $330
96%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i7-9700K (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCore i3-4150Core i7-9700K
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
More affordable ($70)
⚠️ Higher cost ($200)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)
✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i3-4150 (2014) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore i3-4150Core i7-9700K
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+48%)
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($70)
⚠️ Higher cost ($200)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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 i3-4150 and Core i7-9700K

Intel

Core i3-4150

The Core i3-4150 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,406 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

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 i3-4150 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 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-4150 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 33.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-4150 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4150 scores 3,406 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 123.5% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4150 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.

FeatureCore i3-4150Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
8 / 8+300%
Boost Clock
3.5 GHz
4.9 GHz+40%
Base Clock
3.5 GHz
3.6 GHz+3%
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
12 MB (total)+300%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
22 nm
14 nm-36%
Architecture
Haswell (2013−2015)
Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark
3,406
14,397+323%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,071
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4150 uses the LGA1150 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 DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4150 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K — the Core i7-9700K supports 28.6% 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 32 GB 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H81,B85,Q85,H87,Q87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i3-4150) and Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K).

FeatureCore i3-4150Core i7-9700K
Socket
LGA1150
LGA1151
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
DDR4-2666+33%
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
128 GB+300%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
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, EPT (Core i3-4150) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). Both include integrated graphics HD Graphics 4400 (Core i3-4150) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4150 targets Budget Desktop, Core i7-9700K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-4150 rivals FX-6300.

FeatureCore i3-4150Core i7-9700K
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 4400
UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, EPT
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Budget Desktop
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-4150 launched at $281 MSRP, while the Core i7-9700K debuted at $385. At current prices ($70 vs $200), the Core i3-4150 is $130 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-4150 delivers 48.7 pts/$ vs 72.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Core i7-9700K the 38.7% better value option.

FeatureCore i3-4150Core i7-9700K
MSRP
$281-27%
$385
Avg Price (30d)
$70-65%
$200
Performance per Dollar
48.7
72.0+48%
Release Date
2014
2018