Core i7-7700K vs Core i7-7740X

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 i7-7700K vs Core i7-7740X 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 i7-7700K vs Core i7-7740X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-7700K

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $34 less on MSRP ($305 MSRP vs $339 MSRP).
✅Delivers 10.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 31.6 vs 28.5 PassMark/$ ($305 MSRP vs $339 MSRP).
✅Draws 100W instead of 112W, a 12W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,625 vs 9,678).

Core i7-7740X

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-7700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 28.5 vs 31.6 PassMark/$ ($339 MSRP vs $305 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7700K better than Core i7-7740X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-7700K is ahead with a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-7740X pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-7740X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-7700K is the better buy right now. Core i7-7700K comes in $34 cheaper on MSRP at $305 MSRP versus $339 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-7740X is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. It is also 10.5% better value on MSRP (31.6 vs 28.5 PassMark/$), 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 i7-7740X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-7700K vs Core i7-7740X Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-7700K

The Core i7-7700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 91 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,625 points. Launch price was $339.

Core i7-7740X

The Core i7-7740X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-X (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 112 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,678 points. Launch price was $339.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-7700K and Core i7-7740X share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-7700K versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-7740X — identical boost frequencies (base: 4.2 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The Core i7-7700K uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-7740X uses Kaby Lake-X (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-7700K scores 9,625 against the Core i7-7740X's 9,678 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-7740X. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-7700K	Core i7-7740X
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	4.2 GHz	4.3 GHz+2%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Kaby Lake-X (2017)
PassMark	9,625	9,678

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-7700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-7740X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-7700K	Core i7-7740X
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-7700K) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-7740X). Primary use case: Core i7-7740X targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-7700K	Core i7-7740X
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-7700K was priced at $305, while the Core i7-7740X came in at $339. On launch pricing ($305 vs $339), Core i7-7700K was $34 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-7700K delivers 31.6 pts/$ vs 28.5 pts/$ for the Core i7-7740X — making the Core i7-7700K the 10% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-7700K	Core i7-7740X
MSRP	$305-10%	$339
Performance per Dollar	31.6+11%	28.5
Release Date	2017	2017

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