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 Ultra 5 238V 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 Ultra 5 238V: 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: +19.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Costs $69 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $454 MSRP).
✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 18,219).
❌458.8% higher power demand at 95W vs 17W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 238V moves to FCBGA2833 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 5 238V

2024

Why buy it

✅+26.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 17W instead of 95W, a 78W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2833 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌
17.9% HIGHER MSRP
$454 MSRPvs$385 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 238V better than Core i7-9700K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9700K is ahead with a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 238V pulls ahead with 26.5% better PassMark. Core i7-9700K also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 238V is the stronger fit. You are getting 26.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core Ultra 5 238V is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 5 238V comes in 17.9% more expensive on MSRP at $454 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you 26.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-9700K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 7.3% better value on MSRP (40.1 vs 37.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core Ultra 5 238V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2018), a healthier platform with FCBGA2833 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 8/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-9700K vs Core Ultra 5 238V 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 Ultra 5 238V

The Core Ultra 5 238V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,219 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-9700K and Core Ultra 5 238V share an identical 8-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 4.7 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 238V — a 4.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 238V uses Lunar Lake (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Core Ultra 5 238V's 18,219 — a 23.4% lead for the Core Ultra 5 238V. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 8 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 238V.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core Ultra 5 238V
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	8 / 8
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+4%	4.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+71%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+10140%	2.5 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	3 nm-79%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Lunar Lake (2024)
PassMark	14,397	18,219+27%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	10,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,683
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	10,130

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 5 238V uses FCBGA2833 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus LPDDR5x-8533 on the Core Ultra 5 238V — the Core Ultra 5 238V supports 220.1% 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 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 8 (Core Ultra 5 238V) — the Core i7-9700K offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and SoC (Core Ultra 5 238V).

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core Ultra 5 238V
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA2833
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	LPDDR5x-8533+220%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+300%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+100%	8

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-9700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) and Arc Graphics 130V (Core Ultra 5 238V) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop, Core Ultra 5 238V targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 238V rivals Ryzen 5 8640U.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core Ultra 5 238V
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	Arc Graphics 130V
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	Productivity

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the Core Ultra 5 238V came in at $454. On launch pricing ($385 vs $454), Core i7-9700K was $69 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 40.1 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 5 238V — making the Core Ultra 5 238V the 7.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core Ultra 5 238V
MSRP	$385-15%	$454
Performance per Dollar	37.4	40.1+7%
Release Date	2018	2024

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