How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i5-9500 scores 30.3/100 overall; Intel Core i7-7700K scores 29.8/100. Intel Core i5-9500 wins 6 individual spec rows, Intel Core i7-7700K wins 5.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i5-9500 and the Intel Core i7-7700K?

Intel Core i5-9500 advantages: 100% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 64 GB; 50% higher cores: 6 vs 4; 29% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 91 W; 13% higher L3 cache: 9 MB vs 8 MB; Lower launch price: $192 vs $339. Intel Core i7-7700K advantages: 40% higher Base clock: 4.2 GHz vs 3 GHz; 33% higher threads: 8 vs 6; Has Unlocked multiplier — the other doesn't.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i5-9500 or Intel Core i7-7700K?

Intel Core i5-9500 launched cheaper at $192, versus $339 for the Intel Core i7-7700K.

Intel Core i5-9500 vs Intel Core i7-7700K

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i5-9500

$192

Intel

Intel Core i7-7700K

$339

34.2Single-core34.5

28.1Multi-core27.9

29.7Gamingspec-based27.5

6 spec wins — Intel Core i5-95005 spec wins — Intel Core i7-7700K

InnoReviews verdict

This one is close to a dead heat: Intel Core i5-9500 scores 30.3 against 29.8 for Intel Core i7-7700K. Pick by the categories that matter to you — Intel Core i5-9500 edges ahead in multi-core, or by price.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-9500

100% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 64 GB
50% higher cores: 6 vs 4
29% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 91 W
13% higher L3 cache: 9 MB vs 8 MB
Lower launch price: $192 vs $339

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-7700K

40% higher Base clock: 4.2 GHz vs 3 GHz
33% higher threads: 8 vs 6
Has Unlocked multiplier — the other doesn't

General

General comparison: Intel Core i5-9500 versus Intel Core i7-7700K
Spec	Intel Core i5-9500	Intel Core i7-7700K
Announced	2019	2017
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Base TDP	65 W+29%	91 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes
Cooler included	—	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i5-9500 versus Intel Core i7-7700K
Spec	Intel Core i5-9500	Intel Core i7-7700K
Cores	6+50%	4
Performance cores	—	4
Efficiency cores	—	0
Threads	6	8+33%
Base clock	3 GHz	4.2 GHz+40%
Boost clock	4.4 GHz	4.5 GHz+2%
L2 cache	—	1 MB
L3 cache	9 MB+13%	8 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i5-9500 versus Intel Core i7-7700K
Spec	Intel Core i5-9500	Intel Core i7-7700K
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 630	Intel HD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	1,100 MHz	1,150 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i5-9500 versus Intel Core i7-7700K
Spec	Intel Core i5-9500	Intel Core i7-7700K
Memory support	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2400 / DDR3L-1600
Max memory	128 GB+100%	64 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i5-9500 versus Intel Core i7-7700K
Spec	Intel Core i5-9500	Intel Core i7-7700K
PCIe version	3	3
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i5-9500 versus Intel Core i7-7700K
Spec	Intel Core i5-9500	Intel Core i7-7700K
Geekbench 6 (single)	—	1,520Bottom 32%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	—	4,950Bottom 20%
Cinebench R23 (single)	—	1,180Bottom 22%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	—	5,400Bottom 14%
PassMark	9,842+2%Bottom 17%	9,634Bottom 16%
PassMark (single thread)	2,565Bottom 22%	2,699+5%Bottom 28%

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