Core i7-9700K vs Pentium III 1400

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 Pentium III 1400 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 Pentium III 1400: 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: +3641.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 4000.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.4 vs 0.9 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Pentium III 1400 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌
54% HIGHER MSRP
$385 MSRPvs$250 MSRP
❌206.5% higher power demand at 95W vs 31W.

Pentium III 1400

2001

Why buy it

✅Costs $135 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 31W instead of 95W, a 64W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (228 vs 14,397).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 0.9 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($250 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 Pentium III 1400?

Yes. Core i7-9700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3641.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 6214.5% 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 3641.0% 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 6214.5% 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 54.0% more expensive on MSRP at $385 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3641.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 4000.3% better value on MSRP (37.4 vs 0.9 PassMark/$), 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 2001) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-9700K vs Pentium III 1400 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.

Pentium III 1400

The Pentium III 1400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Tualatin (2000−2002) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 256 kB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: PGA370. Thermal design power (TDP): 31 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 228 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Pentium III 1400 offers 1 cores / 1 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 7 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 1.4 GHz on the Pentium III 1400 — a 111.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K. The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium III 1400 uses Tualatin (2000−2002) (130 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Pentium III 1400's 228 — a 193.8% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 0 kB on the Pentium III 1400.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Pentium III 1400
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+700%	1 / 1
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+250%	1.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	—
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB
Process	14 nm-89%	130 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Tualatin (2000−2002)
PassMark	14,397+6214%	228

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium III 1400 uses PGA370 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Pentium III 1400
Socket	LGA1151	PGA370
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) / not specified (Pentium III 1400). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Pentium III 1400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Pentium III 1400
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the Pentium III 1400 came in at $250. On launch pricing ($385 vs $250), Pentium III 1400 was $135 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 0.9 pts/$ for the Pentium III 1400 — making the Core i7-9700K the 190.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Pentium III 1400
MSRP	$385	$250-35%
Performance per Dollar	37.4+4056%	0.9
Release Date	2018	2001

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