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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,014 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $1,399 MSRP).
✅Draws 95W instead of 350W, a 255W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 49,756).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX moves to sTR5 and DDR5.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +58.1% higher average FPS across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅Newer platform on sTR5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.
✅700% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
263.4% HIGHER MSRP
$1,399 MSRPvs$385 MSRP
❌268.4% higher power demand at 350W vs 95W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-9700K

2018

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,014 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $1,399 MSRP).
✅Draws 95W instead of 350W, a 255W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +58.1% higher average FPS across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅Newer platform on sTR5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.
✅700% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 49,756).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX moves to sTR5 and DDR5.

Trade-offs

❌
263.4% HIGHER MSRP
$1,399 MSRPvs$385 MSRP
❌268.4% higher power demand at 350W vs 95W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX better than Core i7-9700K?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-9700K is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 58.1% more average FPS across 5 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX is the better fit. You are getting 245.6% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX is the smarter buy by a wide margin for a fresh build. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX is 263.4% more expensive on MSRP at $1,399 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it gives you a 58.1% average FPS lead across 5 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-9700K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that is mostly used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 5.1% better value on paper (37.4 vs 35.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a very cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2018), a healthier platform with sTR5 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 433.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 12 MB), more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 8/8, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i7-9700K Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX
1080p
low	308 FPS	278 FPS
medium	278 FPS	253 FPS
high	231 FPS	216 FPS
ultra	182 FPS	188 FPS
1440p
low	270 FPS	262 FPS
medium	221 FPS	214 FPS
high	178 FPS	169 FPS
ultra	143 FPS	152 FPS
4K
low	170 FPS	180 FPS
medium	140 FPS	147 FPS
high	108 FPS	111 FPS
ultra	95 FPS	98 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX
1080p
low	360 FPS	782 FPS
medium	321 FPS	642 FPS
high	291 FPS	479 FPS
ultra	259 FPS	405 FPS
1440p
low	324 FPS	643 FPS
medium	282 FPS	549 FPS
high	258 FPS	423 FPS
ultra	225 FPS	330 FPS
4K
low	249 FPS	361 FPS
medium	221 FPS	312 FPS
high	208 FPS	274 FPS
ultra	179 FPS	231 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX
1080p
low	360 FPS	886 FPS
medium	360 FPS	704 FPS
high	360 FPS	622 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	534 FPS
1440p
low	360 FPS	712 FPS
medium	360 FPS	566 FPS
high	360 FPS	488 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	414 FPS
4K
low	360 FPS	507 FPS
medium	360 FPS	418 FPS
high	360 FPS	375 FPS
ultra	318 FPS	315 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-9700K	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX
1080p
low	360 FPS	1106 FPS
medium	360 FPS	991 FPS
high	360 FPS	867 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	781 FPS
1440p
low	360 FPS	860 FPS
medium	360 FPS	759 FPS
high	360 FPS	664 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	576 FPS
4K
low	360 FPS	632 FPS
medium	360 FPS	562 FPS
high	360 FPS	496 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	429 FPS

Open Core i7-9700K Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-9700K and Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

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 Threadripper PRO 7945WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 19 October 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Storm Peak (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 4.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: sTR5. Thermal design power (TDP): 350 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 49,756 points. Launch price was $1,399.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 5.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX — a 7.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX (base: 3.6 GHz vs 4.7 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX uses Storm Peak (2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX's 49,756 — a 110.2% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	12 / 24+50%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	5.3 GHz+8%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	4.7 GHz+31%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	64 MB (total)+433%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	1 MB (per core)+300%
Process	14 nm	5 nm-64%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Storm Peak (2023)
PassMark	14,397	49,756+246%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX uses sTR5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus 5200 on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX supports 199.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX supports up to 2048 of RAM compared to 128 GB — 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-9700K) vs 8 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX offers 112 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and WRX90,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX).

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX
Socket	LGA1151	sTR5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	5200+129900%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+6553500%	2048
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	128+700%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX rivals Xeon w5-3435X.

Feature	Core i7-9700K	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	None
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-9700K launched at $385 MSRP, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX debuted at $1399. On MSRP ($385 vs $1399), the Core i7-9700K is $1014 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 35.6 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX — making the Core i7-9700K the 5% better value option.