Core i7-9700K vs E2-3800

Core i7-9700K vs E2-3800 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-9700K

8 / 8

14,397

+1167.3%

1,136

0.0%

Mobile Athlon 64 3700+

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

About PassMark

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 E2-3800 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 E2-3800: 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: +715.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 229.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.4 vs 11.4 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
285% HIGHER MSRP
$385 MSRPvs$100 MSRP
❌533.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 15W.

E2-3800

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $285 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 15W instead of 95W, a 80W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,136 vs 14,397).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.4 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than E2-3800?

Yes. Core i7-9700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 715.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1167.3% 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 i7-9700K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 715.6% 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 i7-9700K is the stronger fit. You are getting 1167.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-9700K is the better buy right now. Core i7-9700K comes in 285.0% more expensive on MSRP at $385 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 715.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 229.2% better value on MSRP (37.4 vs 11.4 PassMark/$), 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 i7-9700K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-9700K vs E2-3800 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.

E2-3800

The E2-3800 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT3. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,136 points. Launch price was $50.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the E2-3800 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 1.3 GHz on the E2-3800 — a 116.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K. The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the E2-3800 uses Kabini (2013−2014) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the E2-3800's 1,136 — a 170.7% lead for the Core i7-9700K.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	E2-3800
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+277%	1.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	—
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2048 kB+700%
Process	14 nm-50%	28 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Kabini (2013−2014)
PassMark	14,397+1167%	1,136
Geekbench 6 Single	—	136
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	389

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the E2-3800 uses FT3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus DDR3-1600 on the E2-3800 — the Core i7-9700K supports 66.6% 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 16 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-9700K) vs 1 (E2-3800). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 4 (E2-3800) — the Core i7-9700K offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and SoC (E2-3800).

Feature	Core i7-9700K	E2-3800
Socket	LGA1151	FT3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666+67%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+700%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16+300%	4

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) vs Yes (E2-3800). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) and Radeon HD 8280 (E2-3800) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	E2-3800
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	Radeon HD 8280
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the E2-3800 came in at $100. On launch pricing ($385 vs $100), E2-3800 was $285 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 11.4 pts/$ for the E2-3800 — making the Core i7-9700K the 106.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	E2-3800
MSRP	$385	$100-74%
Performance per Dollar	37.4+228%	11.4
Release Date	2018	2013

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