Intel Core i7-9700K

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Intel Core i7-9700K
Intel Core i9-9900K and Core i7-9700K Review: The Core i7-9700K is an even worse proposition in my opinion, although we haven’t had time to test thermal performance properly, it does seem to run hotter than the 8700K, despite being soldered. It also consumes quite a bit more power and offers a minor performance bump. I would liken this comparison to the RTX 2070 and GTX 1080, in the sense that the newer product is faster by a small margin while costing a little more. Unfortunately whereas the RTX 2070 uses a little less power than the GTX 1080, the 9700K isn’t more fuel efficient than the 8700K.
– As reviewed by TechSpot on Oct 2018
8
Cores
8
Threads
3.6 GHz
Base Clock
4.9 GHz
Boost Clock
Socket LGA 1151
Socket
95 W
TDP
Intel UHD Graphics 630
Integrated Graphics
$242
Price
CPU Snapshot
Release date:Oct 19, 2018Price at Launch:$374
Type:DesktopSocket:Socket LGA 1151
Cores:8Threads:8
Multithreading:No
Clocks & Cache
Base Clock:3.6 GHzBoost Clock:4.9 GHz
L2 Cache:2 MBL3 Cache:12 MB
Platform
Codename:Coffee Lake-RProcess Size:14 nm
Memory Support:DDR4‑2666TDP:95 W
PCIe Support:PCIe 3.0, 16 LanesBox Cooler:No
Integrated Features
Integrated Graphics:YesiGPU Model:Intel UHD Graphics 630
NPU:No
Intel Core i7-12700KF
A newer model is available:
Intel Core i7-12700KF

CPU Benchmarks

All benchmark data reflects aggregated results from dozens of tests conducted in TechSpot’s labs and compiled from our full library of CPU reviews. Single-core productivity scores are based primarily on Cinebench and Adobe Photoshop workloads. Multi-core results draw from Cinebench, Blender, Corona Benchmark, 7-Zip, Adobe Premiere Pro, and shader compilation tests. CPU gaming benchmarks are all 1080p runs (explainer) as published on TechSpot.

[CPU] Single-Core Productivity

[CPU] Multi-Core Productivity

[CPU] Gaming Performance

Price History

Intel Core i7-9700K pricing

Last 6 months
Price Date
Current $242 Feb 2, 2026
Highest* $310 May 1, 2025
Lowest* $189 Oct 30, 2025
Average $241
* Prices are based on listings from Newegg and other major retailers over the past 12+ months.
TechSpot is supported by its audience. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Learn more here.

Reviews and Ratings

86

Average Score

Based on 12 reviews

9.6

User Score

Based on 10,366 reviews

Reviewers Liked

  • 8-cores / 16-threads
  • Soldered IHS
  • Great gaming performance

Reviewers Didn't Like

  • No heatsink included
  • No bundled cooler means enthusiasts face additional expense
  • Expensive
70

Intel Core i9-9900K and Core i7-9700K Review: The Core i7-9700K is an even worse proposition in my opinion, although we haven’t had time to test thermal performance properly, it does seem to run hotter than the 8700K, despite being soldered. It also consumes quite a bit more power and offers a minor performance bump. I would liken this comparison to the RTX 2070 and GTX 1080, in the sense that the newer product is faster by a small margin while costing a little more. Unfortunately whereas the RTX 2070 uses a little less power than the GTX 1080, the 9700K isn’t more fuel efficient than the 8700K.

By TechSpot on
80

Despite being just another iteration of Intel's 14-nanometer process, the Core i7-9700K is still kind of a behemoth of a processor. In gaming, the single-threaded performance is going to be more than enough for years to come, and the processor will last...

By TechRadar on
70

With the inclusion of a brand new, upper-tier of Core i9 processor, the i7 9700K is left in a rather unforgiving position. It's not the best powerhouse chip: that's the i9 9900K. And it's not the best value high-end gaming chip: that idiosyncratic...

By pcgamesn.com on
80

For the enthusiasts among us who have some breathing room in their budgets, Core i7-9700K is a much smarter choice for gaming than the pricey Core i9-9900K. It serves up similar performance at a significantly lower price. It's no slouch in heavier...

By Tom's Hardware on
88

The Core i7-9700K ends up as an alternative rather than something that's clearly better or worse than the i9-9900K. It delivers great gaming performance and uses less power, striking an interesting balance between competing...

By PC Gamer on
88

Intel's new Core i9-9900K takes the performance crown in the mainstream segment but for a premium. Its brother the Core i7-9700K, is a cheaper option but something about an i7 without HyperThreading just doesn't seem right. But pricewise, the i7-9700K manages to beat the Core i7-8700K making it a considerable upgrade for a bit more. From a purely gaming perspective, you're not losing much coming from an i7-8700K.

By B2G on
100

The Core i7 9700K is a really nice processor, a little less for heavily threaded applications, but for gaming it rocks. It is, however, a little more difficult to recommend when it's just about gaming as the Core i5 9600K makes more sense, value wise....

By Guru of 3D on
90

Que merezca la pena o no su adquisición va a depender en enorme medida de su precio, que se estima en torno a 440 euros (al que añadir el disipador). De hacerse realidad dicha calidad, no podría luchar contra el Ryzen 7 2700X en términos de rendimiento/precio, siendo incluso el i7-8700K un gran rival por unos 70 euros menos. Intel tendrá que bajar por tanto su precio si quiere ofrecer una mayor competencia, pues AMD le ha plantado cara firmemente y parece que va para largo.

By El Chapuzas Informatico on

One of the most popular processors of the last decade has been the Intel Core i7-2600K. The design was revolutionary, as it offered a significant jump in single core performance, efficiency, and the top line processor was very overclockable. With the...

By AnandTech on

We hope that this article has helped you find the right CPU for your gaming PC. As you can see, it doesn't really matter what your budget is because great gaming CPUs are available within any budget. If you consider yourself to be a casual gamer, a...

By Benchmark Reviews on

The perfect gaming CPU! The Intel Core i7-9700K now must prove itself in our tests, with the Core i9-9900K having shown its worth last month. The Core i7-9700K lacks Hyper-Threading support, which makes it directly comparable to its predecessor, the...

By NotebookCheck on

Regardless of what your budget is, there's a CPU that can meet your needs without emptying your bank account. Faster and more efficient CPUs are released every year, so there's no reason to pay for more than what you really need. But if you're an avid...

By Benchmark Reviews on
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