Core i7-9700 vs Ryzen 5 3500X

CPU

GPU

Core i7-9700

8 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2019

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 3500X

6 Cores6 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2019

Ryzen family

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Core i7-9700 vs Ryzen 5 3500X Performance Spectrum

Core i7-9700

8 / 8

13,206

+0.3%

13,165

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 i7-9700 vs Ryzen 5 3500X 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 Ryzen 5 3500X: 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: +27.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 5 3500X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 39.7 vs 84.9 PassMark/$ ($333 MSRP vs $155 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 3500X

2019

Why buy it

✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $178 less on MSRP ($155 MSRP vs $333 MSRP).
✅Delivers 114.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.9 vs 39.7 PassMark/$ ($155 MSRP vs $333 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

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 Ryzen 5 3500X?

Yes. Core i7-9700 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 27.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, 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 27.0% 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 Ryzen 5 3500X is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-9700 comes in 114.8% more expensive on MSRP at $333 MSRP versus $155 MSRP, and it still gives you a 27.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3500X is also 114.2% better value on MSRP (84.9 vs 39.7 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 3500X can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Ryzen 5 3500X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-9700 vs Ryzen 5 3500X 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.

Ryzen 5 3500X

The Ryzen 5 3500X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 24 September 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 13,165 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-9700 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3500X offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Core i7-9700 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-9700 versus 4.1 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3500X — a 13.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-9700 uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3500X uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700 scores 13,206 against the Ryzen 5 3500X's 13,165 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-9700. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3500X.

Feature	Core i7-9700	Ryzen 5 3500X
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 6
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+15%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.6 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	13,206	13,165
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,540	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,570	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,202	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3500X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3500X — the Ryzen 5 3500X supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3500X) — the Ryzen 5 3500X offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA1151 (Core i7-9700) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series (Ryzen 5 3500X).

Feature	Core i7-9700	Ryzen 5 3500X
Socket	LGA1151	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700) / not specified (Ryzen 5 3500X). The Core i7-9700 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 3500X requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i7-9700	Ryzen 5 3500X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
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 Ryzen 5 3500X came in at $155. On launch pricing ($333 vs $155), Ryzen 5 3500X was $178 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700 delivers 39.7 pts/$ vs 84.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3500X — making the Ryzen 5 3500X the 72.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700	Ryzen 5 3500X
MSRP	$333	$155-53%
Performance per Dollar	39.7	84.9+114%
Release Date	2019	2019

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