FX-9590 vs Core i7-9700K
FX-9590
Core i7-9700K
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The FX-9590 is positioned at rank #608 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar FX-9590
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-9700K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | FX-9590 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($100) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Vishera (2012−2015) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | FX-9590 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+42%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($100) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of FX-9590 and Core i7-9700K
FX-9590
The FX-9590 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 July 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.7 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 220 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,194 points. Launch price was $149.
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.
Processing Power
Both the FX-9590 and Core i7-9700K share an identical 8-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the FX-9590 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 2% clock advantage for the FX-9590 (base: 4.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The FX-9590 uses the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the FX-9590 scores 10,194 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 34.2% lead for the Core i7-9700K.
| Feature | FX-9590 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8 | 8 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 5 GHz+2% | 4.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 4.7 GHz+31% | 3.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 8192 kB+3100% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Vishera (2012−2015) | Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) |
| PassMark | 10,194 | 14,397+41% |
Memory & Platform
The FX-9590 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | FX-9590 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3+ | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (FX-9590) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the FX-9590 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.
| Feature | FX-9590 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The FX-9590 launched at $350 MSRP, while the Core i7-9700K debuted at $385. At current prices ($100 vs $200), the FX-9590 is $100 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-9590 delivers 101.9 pts/$ vs 72.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the FX-9590 the 34.4% better value option.
| Feature | FX-9590 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $350-9% | $385 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $100-50% | $200 |
| Performance per Dollar | 101.9+42% | 72.0 |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2018 |
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