Core i7-9700K
EPYC 7662
Core i7-9700K vs EPYC 7662 Performance Spectrum
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 EPYC 7662 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core i7-9700K vs EPYC 7662: 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
2018Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +13.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Costs $5,765 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $6,150 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 218.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.4 vs 11.8 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $6,150 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 95W instead of 225W, a 130W reduction.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while EPYC 7662 needs a discrete GPU.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 72,298).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 256 MB).
- ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7662, which brings 64 cores / 128 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
EPYC 7662
2020Why buy it
- ✅+402.2% higher PassMark.
- ✅+2033.3% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 12 MB).
- ✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 64 cores / 128 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 16.
- ✅700% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.8 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($6,150 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
- ❌136.8% higher power demand at 225W vs 95W.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Quick Answers
So, is EPYC 7662 better than Core i7-9700K?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i7-9700K vs EPYC 7662 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.
EPYC 7662
The EPYC 7662 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2020-02-19. It is based on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. It features 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB. L2 cache: 32 MB. Built on 7 nm, 14 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 225 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 72,298 points. Launch price was $6,700.
Processing Power
The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the EPYC 7662 offers 64 cores / 128 threads — the EPYC 7662 has 56 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 3.3 GHz on the EPYC 7662 — a 39% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the EPYC 7662 uses Zen 2 (2017−2020) (7 nm, 14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the EPYC 7662's 72,298 — a 133.6% lead for the EPYC 7662. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 256 MB on the EPYC 7662.
| Feature | Core i7-9700K | EPYC 7662 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8 | 64 / 128+700% |
| Boost Clock | 4.9 GHz+48% | 3.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+80% | 2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 256 MB+2033% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core)+700% | 32 MB |
| Process | 14 nm | 7 nm, 14 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) | Zen 2 (2017−2020) |
| PassMark | 14,397 | 72,298+402% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the EPYC 7662 uses SP3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus 3200 on the EPYC 7662 — the EPYC 7662 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7662 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 3100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-9700K) vs 8 (EPYC 7662). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 128 (EPYC 7662) — the EPYC 7662 offers 112 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and SP3 (EPYC 7662).
| Feature | Core i7-9700K | EPYC 7662 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | SP3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | 3200+20% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 4096 GB+3100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 8+300% |
| ECC Support | No | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 128+700% |
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. The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the EPYC 7662 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: EPYC 7662 rivals Xeon Platinum 8280.
| Feature | Core i7-9700K | EPYC 7662 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | None |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the EPYC 7662 came in at $6150. On launch pricing ($385 vs $6150), Core i7-9700K was $5765 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 11.8 pts/$ for the EPYC 7662 — making the Core i7-9700K the 104.3% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-9700K | EPYC 7662 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $385-94% | $6150 |
| Performance per Dollar | 37.4+217% | 11.8 |
| Release Date | 2018 | 2020 |
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