Core i5-2450M vs Core i7-9700K

Core i5-2450M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-2450M

2 / 4

2,076

0.0%

14,397

+593.5%

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 i5-2450M is positioned at rank #1100 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 i5-2450M

#1088

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3179%

#1089

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3132%

#1090

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2875%

#1091

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2862%

#1092

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2836%

#1094

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2739%

#1095

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2626%

#1096

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2622%

#1097

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2551%

#1100

Core i5-2450M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

100%

#1101

Core i5-7Y57

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

100%

#1102

Core i5-7Y54

MSRP: $281|Avg: $100

100%

#1104

Pentium 997

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

98%

#1105

Pentium A1018

MSRP: $132|Avg: $15

98%

#1106

Core i5-2430M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

97%

#1108

Pentium Dual Core T4500

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

97%

#1109

Celeron B820

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

96%

#1110

Pentium B980

MSRP: $125|Avg: $35

95%

#1111

Celeron 867

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

95%

#1112

Pentium B970

MSRP: $125|Avg: $39

95%

#1113

Core i5-2410M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

94%

#1114

Pentium T2370

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

94%

#1115

Pentium N3710

MSRP: $161|Avg: $50

93%

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.

Insight	Core i5-2450M	Core i7-9700K
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)	✅ More affordable ($200)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-2450M (2012) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-2450M	Core i7-9700K
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+680%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)	✅ More affordable ($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.

Core i5-2450M Benchmark Check

Core i7-9700K Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-2450M and Core i7-9700K

Core i5-2450M

The Core i5-2450M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,076 points. Launch price was $823.

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 i5-2450M 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 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-2450M versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 45% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-2450M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2450M scores 2,076 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 149.6% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2450M vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.

Feature	Core i5-2450M	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	8 / 8+300%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	4.9 GHz+58%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+44%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+300%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	2,076	14,397+593%
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,352	—
Geekbench 6 Single	453	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	871	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2450M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i5-2450M versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K — the Core i5-2450M supports 198.8% 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 16 — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i5-2450M) and Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K).

Feature	Core i5-2450M	Core i7-9700K
Socket	PGA988	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1333+33225%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	16	128 GB+838860700%
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: true (Core i5-2450M) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2450M) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2450M rivals AMD A8-3500M.