Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Intel

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

32 Cores64 Thrd350 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2025
Threadripper Pro family
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Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX 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 Threadripper PRO 9975WX 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 Threadripper PRO 9975WX: 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

  • Costs $3,714 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $4,099 MSRP).
  • Delivers 44.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.4 vs 25.9 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $4,099 MSRP).
  • Draws 95W instead of 350W, a 255W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 106,263).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX, which brings 32 cores / 64 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
  • Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX moves to sTR5 and DDR5.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

2025

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +25.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 32 cores / 64 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

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.9 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($4,099 MSRP vs $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 9975WX better than Core i7-9700K?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-9700K is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 25.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 128 MB versus 12 MB.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX is the stronger fit. You are getting 638.1% better PassMark, backed by 32 cores and 64 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 966.7% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX is still the much better call for a fresh build. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX comes in 964.7% more expensive on MSRP at $4,099 MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it still gives you a 25.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-9700K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 44.2% better value on paper (37.4 vs 25.9 PassMark/$), 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 Threadripper PRO 9975WX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2018), a healthier platform with sTR5 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 3D V-Cache and a much larger 128 MB L3 cache instead of 12 MB, more multi-core headroom with 32 cores / 64 threads instead of 8/8, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX 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 Threadripper PRO 9975WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 July 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Shimada Peak (2025) architecture. It features 32 cores and 64 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: sTR5. Thermal design power (TDP): 350 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 106,263 points. Launch price was $4,099.

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX offers 32 cores / 64 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX has 24 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX — a 9.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX (base: 3.6 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX uses Shimada Peak (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX's 106,263 — a 152.3% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX.

FeatureCore i7-9700KRyzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX
Cores / Threads
8 / 8
32 / 64+300%
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz
5.4 GHz+10%
Base Clock
3.6 GHz
4 GHz+11%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
128 MB (total)+967%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+25500%
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
4 nm-71%
Architecture
Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
Shimada Peak (2025)
PassMark
14,397
106,263+638%
Cinebench R23 Multi
83,982
Geekbench 6 Single
3,200
Geekbench 6 Multi
31,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX uses sTR5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K versus DDR5-6400 on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX supports 140.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-9700K) vs 8 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX offers 112 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and WRX90,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX).

FeatureCore i7-9700KRyzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX
Socket
LGA1151
sTR5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR5-6400+140%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
2048 GB+1500%
RAM Channels
2
8+300%
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
128+700%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K) vs true (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX targets High-end Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX rivals Xeon w7-3465X.

FeatureCore i7-9700KRyzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
true
Target Use
Desktop
High-end Workstation
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700K was priced at $385, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX came in at $4099. On launch pricing ($385 vs $4099), Core i7-9700K was $3714 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 25.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX — making the Core i7-9700K the 36.2% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-9700KRyzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX
MSRP
$385-91%
$4099
Performance per Dollar
37.4+44%
25.9
Release Date
2018
2025

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