Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375

Intel

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375

12 Cores24 Thrd28 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2025
Similar parts
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Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 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 375 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 375: 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: +9.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 33,619).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $385 MSRP, while Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 239.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 28W.
  • Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 moves to FP8 and DDR5.

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375

2025

Why buy it

  • +133.5% higher PassMark.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Draws 28W instead of 95W, a 67W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FP8 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Core i7-9700K.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 better than Core i7-9700K?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9700K is ahead with a 9.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 pulls ahead with 133.5% better PassMark. Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 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 375 is the stronger fit. You are getting 133.5% 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 375 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you 133.5% better PassMark. Core i7-9700K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (37.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 AI 9 HX PRO 375 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 375 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 375

The Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Strix Point (2024−2025) 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: 33,619 points. Launch price was $499.

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 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 375 — a 4% clock advantage for the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 (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 375 uses Strix Point (2024−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375's 33,619 — a 80.1% lead for the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 16 MB on the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375.

FeatureCore i7-9700KRyzen AI 9 HX PRO 375
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 (2024−2025)
PassMark
14,397
33,619+134%
Cinebench R23 Multi
22,246
Geekbench 6 Single
2,864
Geekbench 6 Multi
15,012
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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 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 375 — the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 supports 200.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and FP8,FP7 (Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375).

FeatureCore i7-9700KRyzen AI 9 HX PRO 375
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
256 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
16
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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) vs AMD-V, IOMMU (Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700K) and Radeon 890M (Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375) — 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 375 targets Mobile Workstation / High-end Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 rivals Core i9-14900HX.

FeatureCore i7-9700KRyzen AI 9 HX PRO 375
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
Radeon 890M
Unlocked
Yes
Yes
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V, IOMMU
Target Use
Desktop
Mobile Workstation / High-end Gaming
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 came in at $0. On launch pricing ($385 vs $0), Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 was $385 cheaper.

FeatureCore i7-9700KRyzen AI 9 HX PRO 375
MSRP
$385
$0-100%
Performance per Dollar
37.4
Release Date
2018
2025

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