How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i7-9700K scores 37.6/100 overall; Intel Core i9-9900K scores 42.5/100. Intel Core i7-9700K wins 0 individual spec rows, Intel Core i9-9900K wins 8.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i7-9700K and the Intel Core i9-9900K?

Intel Core i7-9700K advantages: Lower launch price: $374 vs $488. Intel Core i9-9900K advantages: Stronger multi-core score: 41 vs 36; 100% higher threads: 16 vs 8; 33% higher L3 cache: 16 MB vs 12 MB; 30% higher PassMark: 18,600 vs 14,300; 28% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 12,400 vs 9,700.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i7-9700K or Intel Core i9-9900K?

Intel Core i7-9700K launched cheaper at $374, versus $488 for the Intel Core i9-9900K.

Intel Core i7-9700K vs Intel Core i9-9900K

Intel

Intel Core i7-9700K

$374

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i9-9900K

$488

39Single-core40.4

35.5Multi-core41.2

39.8Gamingspec-based47.4

0 spec wins — Intel Core i7-9700K8 spec wins — Intel Core i9-9900K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i9-9900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 42.5 to 37.6, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+6) and single-core (+1). Intel Core i7-9700K still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-9700K

Lower launch price: $374 vs $488

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-9900K

Stronger multi-core score: 41 vs 36
100% higher threads: 16 vs 8
33% higher L3 cache: 16 MB vs 12 MB
30% higher PassMark: 18,600 vs 14,300
28% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 12,400 vs 9,700

General

General comparison: Intel Core i7-9700K versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	Intel Core i7-9700K	Intel Core i9-9900K
Announced	2018	2018
Socket	LGA1151-v2	LGA1151-v2
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Base TDP	95 W	95 W
Max turbo power	119 W	119 W
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes
Cooler included	No	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i7-9700K versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	Intel Core i7-9700K	Intel Core i9-9900K
Cores	8	8
Performance cores	8	8
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	8	16+100%
Base clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
Boost clock	4.9 GHz	5 GHz+2%
L2 cache	2 MB	2 MB
L3 cache	12 MB	16 MB+33%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i7-9700K versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	Intel Core i7-9700K	Intel Core i9-9900K
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 630	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	1,200 MHz	1,200 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i7-9700K versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	Intel Core i7-9700K	Intel Core i9-9900K
Memory support	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max memory	128 GB	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i7-9700K versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	Intel Core i7-9700K	Intel Core i9-9900K
PCIe version	3	3
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i7-9700K versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	Intel Core i7-9700K	Intel Core i9-9900K
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,680Bottom 39%	1,720+2%Bottom 41%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	7,000Bottom 37%	8,800+26%Bottom 44%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,250Bottom 27%	1,280+2%Bottom 31%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	9,700Bottom 34%	12,400+28%Bottom 47%
PassMark	14,300Bottom 25%	18,600+30%Bottom 32%

Related comparisons

Intel Core i7-9700Kvs Intel Core i5-11400VS Intel Core i7-9700Kvs Intel Core i5-11400FVS Intel Core i7-9700Kvs Intel Core i7-8700KVS Intel Core i7-9700Kvs Intel Core i5-10600KVS Intel Core i9-9900Kvs AMD Ryzen 5 3600XVS Intel Core i9-9900Kvs AMD Ryzen 5 5600GVS Intel Core i9-9900Kvs Intel Core i7-10700KVS Intel Core i9-9900Kvs Intel Core i5-11600KVS

Try another matchup

Device oneDevice two