Core i7-9700 vs Core i7-9700F

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 i7-9700 vs Core i7-9700F 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 i7-9700 vs Core i7-9700F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-9700

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.9% 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 i7-9700F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌
3.1% HIGHER MSRP
$333 MSRPvs$323 MSRP

Core i7-9700F

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $10 less on MSRP ($323 MSRP vs $333 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,165 vs 13,206).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700 better than Core i7-9700F?

Yes. Core i7-9700 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.9% 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, Core i7-9700 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.9% 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, Core i7-9700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-9700 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-9700F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-9700 comes in 3.1% more expensive on MSRP at $333 MSRP versus $323 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-9700F is also 2.8% better value on MSRP (40.8 vs 39.7 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i7-9700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-9700 vs Core i7-9700F Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-9700

The Core i7-9700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,206 points. Launch price was $323.

Core i7-9700F

The Core i7-9700F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,165 points. Launch price was $323.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-9700 and Core i7-9700F share an identical 8-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-9700 versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-9700F — identical boost frequencies (base: 3 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-9700 uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-9700F uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700 scores 13,206 against the Core i7-9700F's 13,165 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-9700. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-9700	Core i7-9700F
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	8 / 8
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz	4.7 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	13,206	13,165
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,540	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,570	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,202	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.

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

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700) / not specified (Core i7-9700F). The Core i7-9700 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-9700F requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i7-9700	Core i7-9700F
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700 was priced at $333, while the Core i7-9700F came in at $323. On launch pricing ($333 vs $323), Core i7-9700F was $10 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700 delivers 39.7 pts/$ vs 40.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700F — making the Core i7-9700F the 2.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700	Core i7-9700F
MSRP	$333	$323-3%
Performance per Dollar	39.7	40.8+3%
Release Date	2019	2019

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