Core i7-8700K 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 i7-8700K 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 i7-8700K 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 i7-8700K

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $26 less on MSRP ($359 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,572 vs 14,397).

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌
7.2% HIGHER MSRP
$385 MSRPvs$359 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than Core i7-8700K?

Yes. Core i7-9700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 6.1% 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, Core i7-9700K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.6% 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 6.1% 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 still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-9700K comes in 7.2% more expensive on MSRP at $385 MSRP versus $359 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-8700K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 1.1% better value on paper (37.8 vs 37.4 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i7-9700K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-8700K vs Core i7-9700K Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-8700K

The Core i7-8700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB. L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,572 points. Launch price was $359.

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 i7-8700K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-9700K offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-8700K versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 4.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-8700K uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8700K scores 13,572 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 5.9% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700K vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.

Feature	Core i7-8700K	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 8+33%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz	4.9 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+3%	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	12288 kB	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	13,572	14,397+6%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-8700K) and Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K).

Feature	Core i7-8700K	Core i7-9700K
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-8700K) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-8700K) 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.

Feature	Core i7-8700K	Core i7-9700K
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 630	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-8700K was priced at $359, while the Core i7-9700K came in at $385. On launch pricing ($359 vs $385), Core i7-8700K was $26 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-8700K delivers 37.8 pts/$ vs 37.4 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Core i7-8700K the 1.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-8700K	Core i7-9700K
MSRP	$359-7%	$385
Performance per Dollar	37.8+1%	37.4
Release Date	2017	2018

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