Core i7-9700K vs Core i9-11980HK

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 i7-9700K vs Core i9-11980HK 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 i7-9700K vs Core i9-11980HK: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 22,244).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $385 MSRP, while Core i9-11980HK mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌111.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 45W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-11980HK.

Core i9-11980HK

2021

Why buy it

✅+54.5% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 95W, a 50W reduction.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Core i7-9700K.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-11980HK better than Core i7-9700K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9700K is ahead with a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-11980HK pulls ahead with 54.5% better PassMark. Core i9-11980HK also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-11980HK is the stronger fit. You are getting 54.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i9-11980HK is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i9-11980HK comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you 54.5% better PassMark. Core i7-9700K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (37.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i9-11980HK makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2018), 100% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-9700K vs Core i9-11980HK Technical Specifications

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

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 i9-11980HK

The Core i9-11980HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-HK (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,244 points. Launch price was $583.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i9-11980HK's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-11980HK — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i9-11980HK (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-11980HK uses Tiger Lake-HK (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Core i9-11980HK's 22,244 — a 42.8% lead for the Core i9-11980HK. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11980HK.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-11980HK
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	5 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+38%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	10 nm SuperFin-29%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Tiger Lake-HK (2021)
PassMark	14,397	22,244+55%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	14,029
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,129
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	9,766

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-11980HK uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-11980HK — the Core i9-11980HK 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 i7-9700K) vs 20 (Core i9-11980HK) — the Core i9-11980HK offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and HM570,WM590 (Core i9-11980HK).

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-11980HK
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA1787
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	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-11980HK supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-11980HK). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) and UHD Graphics 32EUs (Core i9-11980HK) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop, Core i9-11980HK targets Enthusiast Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i9-11980HK rivals Ryzen 9 5900HX.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-11980HK
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	UHD Graphics 32EUs
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Desktop	Enthusiast Gaming Laptop