Core i7-9700K vs FX-8320E

Core i7-9700K vs FX-8320E Performance Spectrum

Core i7-9700K

8 / 8

14,397

+190.3%

4,960

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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-8320E 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-8320E: 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: +108.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 10.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.4 vs 33.7 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $147 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while FX-8320E needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌
161.9% HIGHER MSRP
$385 MSRPvs$147 MSRP
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike FX-8320E.

FX-8320E

2014

Why buy it

✅Costs $238 less on MSRP ($147 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-9700K.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,960 vs 14,397).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 33.7 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($147 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than FX-8320E?

Yes. Core i7-9700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 108.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 190.3% 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 108.4% 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 190.3% 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 161.9% more expensive on MSRP at $385 MSRP versus $147 MSRP, and it still gives you a 108.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 10.8% better value on MSRP (37.4 vs 33.7 PassMark/$), 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 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-9700K vs FX-8320E 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-8320E

The FX-8320E is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 September 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,960 points. Launch price was $147.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-9700K and FX-8320E share an identical 8-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 4 GHz on the FX-8320E — a 20.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-8320E uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the FX-8320E's 4,960 — a 97.5% lead for the Core i7-9700K.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	FX-8320E
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	8 / 8
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+23%	4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+12%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	8192 kB+3100%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	14,397+190%	4,960
Geekbench 6 Single	—	439
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,734

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8320E uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus DDR3-1866 on the FX-8320E — the Core i7-9700K supports 42.9% 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 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 0 (FX-8320E) — the Core i7-9700K offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and AMD 990FX,AMD 970 (FX-8320E).

Feature	Core i7-9700K	FX-8320E
Socket	LGA1151	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666+43%	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+300%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) vs AMD-V (FX-8320E). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the FX-8320E requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	FX-8320E
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the FX-8320E came in at $147. On launch pricing ($385 vs $147), FX-8320E was $238 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 33.7 pts/$ for the FX-8320E — making the Core i7-9700K the 10.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	FX-8320E
MSRP	$385	$147-62%
Performance per Dollar	37.4+11%	33.7
Release Date	2018	2014

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