Core i7-9700K vs EPYC 7713P

Intel

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

EPYC 7713P

64 Cores128 Thrd225 WWMax: 3.68 GHz2021

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

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

  • Better for gaming: +9.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $4,625 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $5,010 MSRP).
  • Delivers 129.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.4 vs 16.3 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $5,010 MSRP).
  • Draws 95W instead of 225W, a 130W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while EPYC 7713P needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 81,582).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 256 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7713P, which brings 64 cores / 128 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 7713P

2021

Why buy it

  • +466.7% 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 16.3 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($5,010 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 7713P better than Core i7-9700K?
Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 7713P makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-9700K is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7713P is the better fit. You are getting 466.7% better PassMark, backed by 64 cores and 128 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 2033.3% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 7713P is the smarter buy by a wide margin for a fresh build. EPYC 7713P is 1201.3% more expensive on MSRP at $5,010 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it gives you 466.7% better PassMark. Core i7-9700K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that is mostly used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 129.6% better value on paper (37.4 vs 16.3 PassMark/$), 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?
EPYC 7713P is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2018), 2033.3% larger total L3 cache (256 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 64 cores / 128 threads instead of 8/8. That extra cache should hold up really well in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetCore i7-9700KEPYC 7713P
1080p
low308 FPS195 FPS
medium278 FPS159 FPS
high231 FPS129 FPS
ultra182 FPS100 FPS
1440p
low270 FPS160 FPS
medium221 FPS125 FPS
high178 FPS97 FPS
ultra143 FPS77 FPS
4K
low170 FPS72 FPS
medium140 FPS60 FPS
high108 FPS47 FPS
ultra95 FPS39 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i7-9700KEPYC 7713P
1080p
low360 FPS267 FPS
medium321 FPS235 FPS
high291 FPS193 FPS
ultra259 FPS158 FPS
1440p
low324 FPS219 FPS
medium282 FPS198 FPS
high258 FPS167 FPS
ultra225 FPS133 FPS
4K
low249 FPS135 FPS
medium221 FPS124 FPS
high208 FPS112 FPS
ultra179 FPS94 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i7-9700KEPYC 7713P
1080p
low360 FPS837 FPS
medium360 FPS698 FPS
high360 FPS650 FPS
ultra360 FPS574 FPS
1440p
low360 FPS602 FPS
medium360 FPS500 FPS
high360 FPS459 FPS
ultra360 FPS401 FPS
4K
low360 FPS430 FPS
medium360 FPS336 FPS
high360 FPS300 FPS
ultra318 FPS243 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i7-9700KEPYC 7713P
1080p
low360 FPS975 FPS
medium360 FPS883 FPS
high360 FPS758 FPS
ultra360 FPS656 FPS
1440p
low360 FPS752 FPS
medium360 FPS654 FPS
high360 FPS558 FPS
ultra360 FPS479 FPS
4K
low360 FPS540 FPS
medium360 FPS479 FPS
high360 FPS420 FPS
ultra360 FPS363 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-9700K and EPYC 7713P

Intel

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.

AMD

EPYC 7713P

The EPYC 7713P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 15 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Milan (2021−2023) architecture. It features 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.68 GHz. L3 cache: 256 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm+ process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 225 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 81,582 points. Launch price was $5,010.

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the EPYC 7713P offers 64 cores / 128 threads — the EPYC 7713P has 56 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 3.68 GHz on the EPYC 7713P — a 28.4% 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 7713P uses Milan (2021−2023) (7 nm+). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the EPYC 7713P's 81,582 — a 140% lead for the EPYC 7713P. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 256 MB (total) on the EPYC 7713P.

FeatureCore i7-9700KEPYC 7713P
Cores / Threads
8 / 8
64 / 128+700%
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz+33%
3.68 GHz
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+80%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
256 MB (total)+2033%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm+-50%
Architecture
Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
Milan (2021−2023)
PassMark
14,397
81,582+467%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the EPYC 7713P 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 7713P — the EPYC 7713P supports 199.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7713P supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 128 GB 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-9700K) vs 8 (EPYC 7713P). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 128 (EPYC 7713P) — the EPYC 7713P offers 112 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and SP3 (EPYC 7713P).

FeatureCore i7-9700KEPYC 7713P
Socket
LGA1151
SP3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
3200+79900%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+3276700%
4096
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. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) vs VT-x, VT-d, SEV (EPYC 7713P). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the EPYC 7713P requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: EPYC 7713P rivals Xeon Platinum 8380.

FeatureCore i7-9700KEPYC 7713P
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, SEV
Target Use
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-9700K launched at $385 MSRP, while the EPYC 7713P debuted at $5010. On MSRP ($385 vs $5010), the Core i7-9700K is $4625 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 16.3 pts/$ for the EPYC 7713P — making the Core i7-9700K the 78.7% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-9700KEPYC 7713P
MSRP
$385-92%
$5010
Performance per Dollar
37.4+129%
16.3
Release Date
2018
2021