Core i3-9300 vs Core i7-4770K

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 i3-9300 vs Core i7-4770K 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 i3-9300 vs Core i7-4770K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-9300

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $196 less on MSRP ($143 MSRP vs $339 MSRP).
✅Delivers 135.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 49.7 vs 21.1 PassMark/$ ($143 MSRP vs $339 MSRP).
✅Draws 62W instead of 84W, a 22W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-4770K needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4770K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,105 vs 7,141).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-4770K

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.1 vs 49.7 PassMark/$ ($339 MSRP vs $143 MSRP).
❌35.5% higher power demand at 84W vs 62W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-9300 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-9300.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4770K better than Core i3-9300?

Yes. Core i7-4770K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4770K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.5% 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 i7-4770K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-4770K is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i7-4770K comes in 137.1% more expensive on MSRP at $339 MSRP versus $143 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-9300 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 7,105 PassMark with 4 cores and 4 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-9300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-9300 vs Core i7-4770K Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-9300

The Core i3-9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 62 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,105 points. Launch price was $143.

Core i7-4770K

The Core i7-4770K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,141 points. Launch price was $399.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-9300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4770K's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i3-9300 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4770K — a 9.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-9300 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i3-9300 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4770K uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9300 scores 7,105 against the Core i7-4770K's 7,141 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-4770K. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9300 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4770K.

Feature	Core i3-9300	Core i7-4770K
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+10%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+6%	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	7,105	7,141
Geekbench 6 Single	1,498	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,025	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9300 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4770K uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-9300	Core i7-4770K
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-9300) / not specified (Core i7-4770K). The Core i3-9300 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-4770K requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-9300	Core i7-4770K
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-9300 was priced at $143, while the Core i7-4770K came in at $339. On launch pricing ($143 vs $339), Core i3-9300 was $196 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9300 delivers 49.7 pts/$ vs 21.1 pts/$ for the Core i7-4770K — making the Core i3-9300 the 80.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-9300	Core i7-4770K
MSRP	$143-58%	$339
Performance per Dollar	49.7+136%	21.1
Release Date	2019	2013

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