Core i7-1355U 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 i7-1355U 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 i7-1355U 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 i7-1355U

2023

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 95W, a 80W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,116 vs 14,397).
❌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: +5.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-1355U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $385 MSRP, while Core i7-1355U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌533.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i7-1355U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than Core i7-1355U?

Yes. Core i7-9700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-9700K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.5% 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 i7-9700K is the stronger fit. You are getting 2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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 at an unclear MSRP at $385 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (37.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-1355U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2018) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-1355U vs Core i7-9700K Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-1355U

The Core i7-1355U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 14,116 points. Launch price was $469.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-1355U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-9700K offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-1355U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i7-1355U versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i7-1355U (base: 1.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-1355U uses the Raptor Lake-U (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-1355U scores 14,116 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 2% lead for the Core i7-9700K. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-1355U	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+25%	8 / 8
Boost Clock	5 GHz+2%	4.9 GHz
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	3.6 GHz+112%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-U (2023)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	14,116	14,397+2%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-1355U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-1355U	Core i7-9700K
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-1355U) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-1355U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.