Core i7-870 vs FX-770K

Core i7-870 vs FX-770K Performance Spectrum

Core i7-870

4 / 8

3,164

0.0%

Pentium Dual Core T2390

3,172

+0.3%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core i7-870 vs FX-770K 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 i7-870 vs FX-770K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-870

2009

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike FX-770K.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,164 vs 3,172).
❌Launch MSRP is still $300 MSRP, while FX-770K mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

FX-770K

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-870.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-770K better than Core i7-870?

Yes. FX-770K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-770K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.9% 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, FX-770K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

FX-770K is still the much better call for a fresh build. FX-770K comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-870 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (10.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1156.

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

FX-770K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-870 vs FX-770K Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-870

The Core i7-870 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,164 points. Launch price was $305.

FX-770K

The FX-770K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Dezembro 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,172 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-870 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the FX-770K's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-870 versus 3.9 GHz on the FX-770K — a 8% clock advantage for the FX-770K (base: 2.93 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-870 uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the FX-770K uses Kaveri (2014−2015) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-870 scores 3,164 against the FX-770K's 3,172 — a 0.3% lead for the FX-770K.

Feature	Core i7-870	FX-770K
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.9 GHz+8%
Base Clock	2.93 GHz	3.5 GHz+19%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	4 MB+1500%
Process	45 nm	28 nm-38%
Architecture	Lynnfield (2009−2010)	Kaveri (2014−2015)
PassMark	3,164	3,172
Geekbench 6 Single	476	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,541	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-870 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the FX-770K uses FM2+ (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-870	FX-770K
Socket	LGA1156	FM2+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-870) / not specified (FX-770K). Primary use case: Core i7-870 targets Legacy Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-870	FX-770K
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Legacy Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-870 was priced at $300, while the FX-770K came in at $0. On launch pricing ($300 vs $0), FX-770K was $300 cheaper.

Feature	Core i7-870	FX-770K
MSRP	$300	$0-100%
Performance per Dollar	10.5	—
Release Date	2009	2014

Search Core i7-870 on Amazon

Search FX-770K on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.