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 7 255HX 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 7 255HX: 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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 255HX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 49,765).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $385 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 255HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌72.7% higher power demand at 95W vs 55W.

Core Ultra 7 255HX

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 95W, a 40W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2114 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 255HX better than Core i7-9700K?

Yes. Core Ultra 7 255HX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 245.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 7 255HX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.2% 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 Ultra 7 255HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 245.7% better PassMark, backed by 20 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core Ultra 7 255HX is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core Ultra 7 255HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-9700K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (37.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Ultra 7 255HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2018), a healthier platform with FCBGA2114 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 20 cores / 20 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 7 255HX 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 7 255HX

The Core Ultra 7 255HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2025-01-01. It is based on the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture. It features 20 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2114. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 49,765 points. Launch price was $450.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 255HX offers 20 cores / 20 threads — the Core Ultra 7 255HX has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 5.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 255HX — a 5.9% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 255HX (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 255HX uses Arrow Lake-HX (2025) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Core Ultra 7 255HX's 49,765 — a 110.2% lead for the Core Ultra 7 255HX. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 30 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 255HX.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core Ultra 7 255HX
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	20 / 20+150%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	5.2 GHz+6%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+50%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+8433%	3 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	3 nm-79%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Arrow Lake-HX (2025)
PassMark	14,397	49,765+246%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,923
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	16,885

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 7 255HX uses FCBGA2114 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 7 255HX — the Core Ultra 7 255HX supports 140.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 7 255HX supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 24 (Core Ultra 7 255HX) — the Core Ultra 7 255HX offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and Intel HM870,Intel WM880 (Core Ultra 7 255HX).

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Core Ultra 7 255HX
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA2114
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-6400+140%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	192 GB+50%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) vs true (Core Ultra 7 255HX). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) and Intel Arc Xe-LPG (Core Ultra 7 255HX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 255HX rivals Ryzen 9 9850HX.