Core i7-9700K
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX 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 9985WX 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX: 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
2018Why buy it
- ✅Costs $7,614 less on MSRP ($385 MSRP vs $7,999 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 93.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.4 vs 19.3 PassMark/$ ($385 MSRP vs $7,999 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 95W instead of 350W, a 255W reduction.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX needs a discrete GPU.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 154,361).
- ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX, which brings 64 cores / 128 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
- ❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX moves to sTR5 and DDR5.
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX
2025Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +23.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 64 cores / 128 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 16.
- ✅Newer platform on sTR5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.
- ✅700% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.3 vs 37.4 PassMark/$ ($7,999 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 9985WX better than Core i7-9700K?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
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 9985WX
The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX 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 64 cores and 128 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 256 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: 154,361 points. Launch price was $7,999.
Processing Power
The Core i7-9700K packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX offers 64 cores / 128 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX has 56 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX — a 9.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-9700K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX uses Shimada Peak (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700K scores 14,397 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX's 154,361 — a 165.9% lead for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K vs 256 MB (total) on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX.
| Feature | Core i7-9700K | Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8 | 64 / 128+700% |
| Boost Clock | 4.9 GHz | 5.4 GHz+10% |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+12% | 3.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 256 MB (total)+2033% |
| 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 | 154,361+972% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 120,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 3,644 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 37,967 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-9700K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX 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 9985WX — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX supports 140.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX 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 9985WX). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700K) vs 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX offers 112 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K) and WRX90,TRX50 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX).
| Feature | Core i7-9700K | Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX |
|---|---|---|
| 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 9985WX 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 9985WX). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop, Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX targets High-end Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX rivals Xeon w9-3475X.
| Feature | Core i7-9700K | Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX |
|---|---|---|
| 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 9985WX came in at $7999. On launch pricing ($385 vs $7999), Core i7-9700K was $7614 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700K delivers 37.4 pts/$ vs 19.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX — making the Core i7-9700K the 63.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-9700K | Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $385-95% | $7999 |
| Performance per Dollar | 37.4+94% | 19.3 |
| Release Date | 2018 | 2025 |
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