Core i7-9700K vs FX-4170

Core i7-9700K vs FX-4170 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-9700K

8 / 8

14,397

+361.3%

3,121

0.0%

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 FX-4170 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 FX-4170: 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: +222.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Delivers 88.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.4 vs 19.9 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $157 MSRP).
✅Draws 95W instead of 125W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
145.2% HIGHER MSRP
$385 MSRPvs$157 MSRP

FX-4170

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $228 less on MSRP ($157 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,121 vs 14,397).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.9 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($157 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
❌31.6% higher power demand at 125W vs 95W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than FX-4170?

Yes. Core i7-9700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 222.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 361.3% 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 222.9% 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 361.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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 145.2% more expensive on MSRP at $385 MSRP versus $157 MSRP, and it still gives you a 222.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 88.1% better value on MSRP (37.4 vs 19.9 PassMark/$), 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 2012), 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), 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 FX-4170 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.

FX-4170

The FX-4170 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 February 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,121 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-4170 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 4.3 GHz on the FX-4170 — a 13% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-4170 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the FX-4170's 3,121 — a 128.7% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 8192 kB on the FX-4170.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	FX-4170
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+14%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	4.2 GHz+17%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8192 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	4096 kB+1500%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	14,397+361%	3,121

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-4170 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	FX-4170
Socket	LGA1151	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) / not specified (FX-4170). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the FX-4170 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	FX-4170
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the FX-4170 came in at $157. On launch pricing ($385 vs $157), FX-4170 was $228 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 19.9 pts/$ for the FX-4170 — making the Core i7-9700K the 61.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	FX-4170
MSRP	$385	$157-59%
Performance per Dollar	37.4+88%	19.9
Release Date	2018	2012

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