Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

Intel

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

12 Cores24 Thrd28 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2025
Similar parts
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Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 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 AI 9 HX PRO 370 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 AI 9 HX PRO 370: 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: +5.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $115 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $500 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 32,841).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.4 vs 65.7 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $500 MSRP).
  • 239.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 28W.
  • Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 moves to FP8 and DDR5.

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

2025

Why buy it

  • +128.1% higher PassMark.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Delivers 75.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 65.7 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($500 MSRP vs $385 MSRP).
  • Draws 28W instead of 95W, a 67W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FP8 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 29.9% HIGHER MSRP
    $500 MSRPvs$385 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 better than Core i7-9700K?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9700K is ahead with a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 pulls ahead with 128.1% better PassMark. Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 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 AI 9 HX PRO 370 is the stronger fit. You are getting 128.1% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 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 AI 9 HX PRO 370 is the better buy right now. Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 comes in 29.9% more expensive on MSRP at $500 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you 128.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-9700K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 75.6% better value on MSRP (65.7 vs 37.4 PassMark/$), 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 AI 9 HX PRO 370 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2018), a healthier platform with FP8 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 8/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 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 AI 9 HX PRO 370

The Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Strix Point-HX PRO (Zen 5/5c) (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 32,841 points. Launch price was $499.

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 — a 4% clock advantage for the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 uses Strix Point-HX PRO (Zen 5/5c) (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370's 32,841 — a 78.1% lead for the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 16 MB on the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370.

FeatureCore i7-9700KRyzen AI 9 HX PRO 370
Cores / Threads
8 / 8
12 / 24+50%
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz
5.1 GHz+4%
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+80%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
16 MB+33%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+25500%
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
4 nm-71%
Architecture
Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
Strix Point-HX PRO (Zen 5/5c) (2025)
PassMark
14,397
32,841+128%
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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus LPDDR5X-8000 on the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 — the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 supports 200.1% 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 20 (Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370) — the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore i7-9700KRyzen AI 9 HX PRO 370
Socket
LGA1151
FP8
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
LPDDR5X-8000+200%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+100%
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
20+25%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-9700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) vs AMD-V (Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) and Radeon 890M (Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop, Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 targets Mobile Workstation / AI.

FeatureCore i7-9700KRyzen AI 9 HX PRO 370
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
Radeon 890M
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Desktop
Mobile Workstation / AI
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 came in at $500. On launch pricing ($385 vs $500), Core i7-9700K was $115 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 65.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 — making the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 the 54.9% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-9700KRyzen AI 9 HX PRO 370
MSRP
$385-23%
$500
Performance per Dollar
37.4
65.7+76%
Release Date
2018
2025

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