Core i7-8700T vs FX-9590

Intel

Core i7-8700T

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 4 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

FX-9590

8 Cores8 Thrd220 WWMax: 5 GHz2013
Similar parts
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Core i7-8700T vs FX-9590 Performance Spectrum

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 i7-8700T vs FX-9590 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 i7-8700T vs FX-9590: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-8700T

2018

Why buy it

  • +0.2% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $47 less on MSRP ($303 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
  • Delivers 15.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 33.7 vs 29.1 PassMark/$ ($303 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 220W, a 185W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-9590 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

FX-9590

2013

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +17.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (10,194 vs 10,213).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 29.1 vs 33.7 PassMark/$ ($350 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
  • 528.6% higher power demand at 220W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8700T better than FX-9590?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-9590 is ahead with a 17.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8700T pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8700T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-8700T is the better buy right now. Core i7-8700T comes in $47 cheaper on MSRP at $303 MSRP versus $350 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that FX-9590 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 17.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 15.7% better value on MSRP (33.7 vs 29.1 PassMark/$), 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 i7-8700T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-8700T vs FX-9590 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-8700T

The Core i7-8700T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,213 points. Launch price was $303.

AMD

FX-9590

The FX-9590 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 July 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.7 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 220 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,194 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i7-8700T packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the FX-9590 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-9590 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-8700T versus 5 GHz on the FX-9590 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the FX-9590 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 4.7 GHz). The Core i7-8700T uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-9590 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8700T scores 10,213 against the FX-9590's 10,194 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-8700T.

FeatureCore i7-8700TFX-9590
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
8 / 8+33%
Boost Clock
4 GHz
5 GHz+25%
Base Clock
2.4 GHz
4.7 GHz+96%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
8192 kB+3100%
Process
14 nm-56%
32 nm
Architecture
Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark
10,213
10,194
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8700T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-9590 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-8700TFX-9590
Socket
LGA1151
AM3+
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-8700T was priced at $303, while the FX-9590 came in at $350. On launch pricing ($303 vs $350), Core i7-8700T was $47 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-8700T delivers 33.7 pts/$ vs 29.1 pts/$ for the FX-9590 — making the Core i7-8700T the 14.6% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-8700TFX-9590
MSRP
$303-13%
$350
Performance per Dollar
33.7+16%
29.1
Release Date
2018
2013

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