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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +44.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $385 MSRP, while Core i7-9850HE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌111.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 45W.

Core i7-9850HE

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 95W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,972 vs 14,397).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 12 MB).

Core i7-9700K

2018

Core i7-9850HE

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +44.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 95W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $385 MSRP, while Core i7-9850HE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌111.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 45W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,972 vs 14,397).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 12 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than Core i7-9850HE?

Yes. Core i7-9700K is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 44.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data and 44.4% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-9700K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 44.9% more average FPS across 4 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 better fit. You are getting 44.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 9 MB).

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

Core i7-9700K is the smarter buy today. Core i7-9700K is at an unclear MSRP at $385 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 44.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (37.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core i7-9850HE is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i7-9700K Benchmark Check

Core i7-9850HE Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i7-9850HE
1080p
low	308 FPS	176 FPS
medium	278 FPS	144 FPS
high	231 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	182 FPS	96 FPS
1440p
low	270 FPS	149 FPS
medium	221 FPS	121 FPS
high	178 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	143 FPS	80 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	81 FPS
medium	140 FPS	71 FPS
high	108 FPS	56 FPS
ultra	95 FPS	44 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i7-9850HE

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i7-9850HE
1080p
low	360 FPS	249 FPS
medium	321 FPS	249 FPS
high	291 FPS	241 FPS
ultra	259 FPS	207 FPS
1440p
low	324 FPS	249 FPS
medium	282 FPS	239 FPS
high	258 FPS	219 FPS
ultra	225 FPS	189 FPS
4K
low	249 FPS	244 FPS
medium	221 FPS	211 FPS
high	208 FPS	192 FPS
ultra	179 FPS	160 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i7-9850HE

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i7-9850HE
1080p
low	360 FPS	249 FPS
medium	360 FPS	249 FPS
high	360 FPS	249 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	249 FPS
1440p
low	360 FPS	249 FPS
medium	360 FPS	249 FPS
high	360 FPS	249 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	249 FPS
4K
low	360 FPS	249 FPS
medium	360 FPS	249 FPS
high	360 FPS	249 FPS
ultra	318 FPS	249 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i7-9850HE

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i7-9850HE
1080p
low	360 FPS	249 FPS
medium	360 FPS	249 FPS
high	360 FPS	249 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	249 FPS
1440p
low	360 FPS	249 FPS
medium	360 FPS	249 FPS
high	360 FPS	249 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	249 FPS
4K
low	360 FPS	249 FPS
medium	360 FPS	249 FPS
high	360 FPS	249 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	249 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i7-9850HE

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-9700K and Core i7-9850HE

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.

Core i7-9850HE

The Core i7-9850HE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,972 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-9850HE offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-9850HE — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-9850HE uses Coffee Lake-HR (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Core i7-9850HE's 9,972 — a 36.3% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i7-9850HE.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i7-9850HE
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+11%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+33%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+33%	9 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Coffee Lake-HR (2019)
PassMark	14,397+44%	9,972
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,329
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,990

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-9850HE uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus DDR4 2666 MHz on the Core i7-9850HE — the Core i7-9850HE supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-9700K supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and Intel QM370,Intel HM370 (Core i7-9850HE).

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i7-9850HE
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4 2666 MHz
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-9700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) vs true (Core i7-9850HE). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) and Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9850HE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop, Core i7-9850HE targets Embedded.