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

✅Costs $1,002 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $1,387 MSRP).
✅Delivers 84.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.4 vs 20.3 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $1,387 MSRP).
✅Draws 95W instead of 165W, a 70W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i9-9940X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9940X across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 28,088).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 19 MB).

Core i9-9940X

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +58.9% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+60.4% larger total L3 cache (19 MB vs 12 MB).
✅175% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 20.3 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($1,387 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
❌73.7% higher power demand at 165W vs 95W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-9700K

2018

Core i9-9940X

2018

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,002 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $1,387 MSRP).
✅Delivers 84.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.4 vs 20.3 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $1,387 MSRP).
✅Draws 95W instead of 165W, a 70W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i9-9940X needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +58.9% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+60.4% larger total L3 cache (19 MB vs 12 MB).
✅175% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9940X across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 28,088).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 19 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 20.3 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($1,387 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
❌73.7% higher power demand at 165W vs 95W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9940X better than Core i7-9700K?

Yes. Core i9-9940X is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 58.9% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data, 95.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-9940X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 58.9% more average FPS across 3 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-9940X is the better fit. You are getting 95.1% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 60.4% larger total L3 cache (19 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i9-9940X is the smarter buy by a wide margin for a fresh build. Core i9-9940X is 260.3% more expensive on MSRP at $1,387 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it gives you a 58.9% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-9700K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that is mostly used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 84.7% better value on paper (37.4 vs 20.3 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a very cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i9-9940X is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 60.4% larger total L3 cache (19 MB vs 12 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 28 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

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 i9-9940X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-9940X
1080p
low	308 FPS	169 FPS
medium	278 FPS	149 FPS
high	231 FPS	119 FPS
ultra	182 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	270 FPS	141 FPS
medium	221 FPS	121 FPS
high	178 FPS	97 FPS
ultra	143 FPS	81 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	77 FPS
medium	140 FPS	70 FPS
high	108 FPS	55 FPS
ultra	95 FPS	43 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i9-9940X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-9940X
1080p
low	360 FPS	499 FPS
medium	321 FPS	430 FPS
high	291 FPS	367 FPS
ultra	259 FPS	333 FPS
1440p
low	324 FPS	431 FPS
medium	282 FPS	378 FPS
high	258 FPS	326 FPS
ultra	225 FPS	284 FPS
4K
low	249 FPS	267 FPS
medium	221 FPS	233 FPS
high	208 FPS	219 FPS
ultra	179 FPS	190 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i9-9940X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-9940X
1080p
low	360 FPS	702 FPS
medium	360 FPS	702 FPS
high	360 FPS	702 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	645 FPS
1440p
low	360 FPS	702 FPS
medium	360 FPS	659 FPS
high	360 FPS	624 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	554 FPS
4K
low	360 FPS	492 FPS
medium	360 FPS	414 FPS
high	360 FPS	371 FPS
ultra	318 FPS	306 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i9-9940X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-9940X
1080p
low	360 FPS	702 FPS
medium	360 FPS	702 FPS
high	360 FPS	702 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	690 FPS
1440p
low	360 FPS	702 FPS
medium	360 FPS	702 FPS
high	360 FPS	649 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	567 FPS
4K
low	360 FPS	587 FPS
medium	360 FPS	532 FPS
high	360 FPS	476 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	416 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Core i9-9940X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-9700K and Core i9-9940X

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 i9-9940X

The Core i9-9940X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 28,088 points. Launch price was $1,387.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i9-9940X offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Core i9-9940X has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9940X — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-9940X uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Core i9-9940X's 28,088 — a 64.5% lead for the Core i9-9940X. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-9940X.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-9940X
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	14 / 28+75%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+9%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+9%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	19.25 MB (total)+60%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	1 MB (per core)+300%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	14,397	28,088+95%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-9940X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-9700K) vs 4 (Core i9-9940X). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 44 (Core i9-9940X) — the Core i9-9940X offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-9940X
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	44+175%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-9940X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i9-9940X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop, Core i9-9940X targets Workstation.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core i9-9940X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-9700K launched at $385 MSRP, while the Core i9-9940X debuted at $1387. On MSRP ($385 vs $1387), the Core i7-9700K is $1002 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 20.3 pts/$ for the Core i9-9940X — making the Core i7-9700K the 59.5% better value option.