Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen 5 2400G

CPU

GPU

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 2400G

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2018

Ryzen family

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Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen 5 2400G Performance Spectrum

Core i7-9700K

8 / 8

14,397

+64.8%

8,734

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX

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 Ryzen 5 2400G 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 Ryzen 5 2400G: 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: +63.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 51.7 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 2400G.

Ryzen 5 2400G

2018

Why buy it

✅Costs $216 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Delivers 38.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($169 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike Core i7-9700K.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,734 vs 14,397).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 12 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9700K better than Ryzen 5 2400G?

Yes. Core i7-9700K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 63.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 64.8% better PassMark, 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 63.3% 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 64.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-9700K is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i7-9700K comes in 127.8% more expensive on MSRP at $385 MSRP versus $169 MSRP, and it still gives you a 63.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 2400G only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. Giving up that much average FPS in the shared benchmark data is simply too much for that budget trade-off.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 5 2400G is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen 5 2400G 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.

Ryzen 5 2400G

The Ryzen 5 2400G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Raven Ridge (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 8,734 points. Launch price was $169.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 2400G offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2400G — a 22.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 2400G uses Raven Ridge (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Ryzen 5 2400G's 8,734 — a 49% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2400G.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Ryzen 5 2400G
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+26%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+200%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Raven Ridge (2017−2019)
PassMark	14,397+65%	8,734
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	4,800
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,040
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,250

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 2400G uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus DDR4-2933 on the Ryzen 5 2400G — the Ryzen 5 2400G supports 10% 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 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 12 (Ryzen 5 2400G) — the Core i7-9700K offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470 (Ryzen 5 2400G).

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Ryzen 5 2400G
Socket	LGA1151	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2933+10%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 2400G). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) and Radeon RX Vega 11 (Ryzen 5 2400G) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop, Ryzen 5 2400G targets Entry Gaming Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Ryzen 5 2400G
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	Radeon RX Vega 11
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Desktop	Entry Gaming Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the Ryzen 5 2400G came in at $169. On launch pricing ($385 vs $169), Ryzen 5 2400G was $216 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 51.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 2400G — making the Ryzen 5 2400G the 32.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Ryzen 5 2400G
MSRP	$385	$169-56%
Performance per Dollar	37.4	51.7+38%
Release Date	2018	2018

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