Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen 7 5825C

CPU

GPU

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018

Similar parts

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Ryzen 7 5825C

8 Cores16 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2022

Ryzen family

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Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen 7 5825C Performance Spectrum

Core i7-9700K

8 / 8

14,397

0.0%

14,561

+1.1%

Ryzen Embedded V1756B

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 7 5825C 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 7 5825C: 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: +15.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $15 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 14,561).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌533.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 15W.

Ryzen 7 5825C

2022

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 95W, a 80W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌
3.9% HIGHER MSRP
$400 MSRPvs$385 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5825C better than Core i7-9700K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9700K is ahead with a 15.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 5825C pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Ryzen 7 5825C also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 5825C is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Ryzen 7 5825C is still the much better call for a fresh build. Ryzen 7 5825C comes in 3.9% more expensive on MSRP at $400 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. Core i7-9700K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 2.7% better value on paper (37.4 vs 36.4 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Ryzen 7 5825C makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2018), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 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 Ryzen 7 5825C 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 7 5825C

The Ryzen 7 5825C is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 May 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Barcelo (Zen 3) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 14,561 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, matching the Ryzen 7 5825C's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 4.5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5825C — a 8.5% 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 Ryzen 7 5825C uses Barcelo (Zen 3) (2022−2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Ryzen 7 5825C's 14,561 — a 1.1% lead for the Ryzen 7 5825C. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 5825C.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Ryzen 7 5825C
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+9%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+80%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Barcelo (Zen 3) (2022−2023)
PassMark	14,397	14,561+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,551
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,961
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	7,145

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 5825C uses FP6 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 5825C — the Ryzen 7 5825C supports 20% 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 8 (Ryzen 7 5825C) — the Core i7-9700K offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and SoC (Ryzen 7 5825C).

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Ryzen 7 5825C
Socket	LGA1151	FP6
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+100%	8

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) vs Yes (Ryzen 7 5825C). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) and Radeon Vega 8 (Ryzen 7 5825C) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Ryzen 7 5825C
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	Radeon Vega 8
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the Ryzen 7 5825C came in at $400. On launch pricing ($385 vs $400), Core i7-9700K was $15 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 36.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 5825C — making the Core i7-9700K the 2.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Ryzen 7 5825C
MSRP	$385-4%	$400
Performance per Dollar	37.4+3%	36.4
Release Date	2018	2022

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