Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen 7 PRO 3700

Intel

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 PRO 3700

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Similar parts
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Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 Performance Spectrum

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 PRO 3700 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 PRO 3700: 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: +8.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 22,777).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 69.2 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • 46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Ryzen 7 PRO 3700

2019

Why buy it

  • +58.2% higher PassMark.
  • +166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Costs $56 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
  • Delivers 85.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 69.2 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 better than Core i7-9700K?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9700K is ahead with a 8.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 pulls ahead with 58.2% better PassMark. Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 also has the bigger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 58.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 comes in $56 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you 58.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-9700K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 85.1% better value on MSRP (69.2 vs 37.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018), 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 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 PRO 3700 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 7 PRO 3700

The Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 30 September 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 22,777 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, matching the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 — a 10.8% 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 7 PRO 3700 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700's 22,777 — a 45.1% lead for the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700.

FeatureCore i7-9700KRyzen 7 PRO 3700
Cores / Threads
8 / 8
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz+11%
4.4 GHz
Base Clock
3.6 GHz
3.6 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
32 MB+167%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm-50%
Architecture
Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark
14,397
22,777+58%
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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-9700KRyzen 7 PRO 3700
Socket
LGA1151
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
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 (Ryzen 7 PRO 3700). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

FeatureCore i7-9700KRyzen 7 PRO 3700
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 Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 came in at $329. On launch pricing ($385 vs $329), Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 was $56 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 69.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 — making the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700 the 59.7% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-9700KRyzen 7 PRO 3700
MSRP
$385
$329-15%
Performance per Dollar
37.4
69.2+85%
Release Date
2018
2019

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