Intel Core i7-9700K Processor: Overview / is it good for gaming / Benchmark/ Overclocking/ Specification (Specs) – The top 8-core processor Core i7-9700K came out about a year ago, and it is still relevant. Why did we decide to test it now? But because worthy competitors appeared on the market relatively recently. The cost of the devices has been adjusted, and now take a look at complete picture possible at the right angle.
In this article we will talk about the confrontation of modern stones from Intel for Socket LGA 1151 with the Ryzen 3000 series CPU line. The reasons for this situation are known to everyone, one way or another.
The Core i7-9700K has two worthy contenders right now: the Ryzen 5 3600X and the Ryzen 7 3800X.
The rivalry between these devices is one of the most popular discussion topics on the worldwide web. Many users probably do not remember those times when it (rivalry) was equal (the era of single-core and dual-core Athlon 64).
Intel Core i7-9700K Processor 9th generation – Unboxing and Review – Best Gaming processor
Now everything is back to normal again, and we see quite a healthy competition in the market of central processors (between Intel and AMD), where there is no clear winner. In a particular price segment, you can find an extremely balanced stonebut it is too early to talk about an uncompromising victory.
Intel Core i7-9700K is the second oldest CPU for Socket LGA 1151 after the top Core i9-9900K (variations stone other letters in the name are not taken into account). Both processors have 8 physical cores, but a different number of computational threads (8 versus 16).
It’s nice that the Core i7-9700K is not banal alteration flagship of the eighth generation (Core i7-8700K), and a fundamentally new product (albeit on old technological process) with a different technical functionality, designed for a different range of tasks. Let’s talk about this in more detail.
Intel Core i7-9700K Processor: Specification (Specs)
The Intel Core i7-9700K is one of the few top-end processors that does not use Hyper-Threading technology (this is because Intel has portfolio mainstream solutions for the LGA 1151 appeared the aforementioned Core i9). The monitored 14 nm stone under the hood are 8 physical cores and exactly the same number of computational threads.
Its nominal clock speed is 3600 MHz, Turbo mode automatically increases this value to 4900 MHz (but only for one core). The cache size is 12 MB. Intel Core i7-9700K is compatible with DDR4-2666 RAM, the maximum supported amount is 128 GB (enough for a small server).
| AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | Intel Core i7-9700K | AMD Ryzen 7 3800X | Intel Core i9-9900K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technical process | 7 nm | 14 nm | 7 nm | 14 nm |
| Socket | AM4 | LGA 1151 | AM4 | LGA 1151 |
| Kernels / threads | 6/12 | 8/8 | 8/16 | 8/16 |
| Clock frequency | 3800/4400 MHz | 3600/4900 MHz | 3900/4500 MHz | 3600/5000 MHz |
| L3 cache | 32 MB | 12 MB | 32 MB | 16 MB |
| TDP | 95 W | 95 W | 105 W | 95 W |
| Memory support | DDR4-3200, 2 channels | DDR4-2666, 2 channels | DDR4-3200, 2 channels | DDR4-2666, 2 channels |
| Integrated graphics | Not | Intel UHD Graphics 630 | Not | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| PCI-E version | 4.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price |
The name Core i7-9700K has speaking the letter “K”. This means that the processor is unlocked (it can be overclocked by increasing the multiplier). Under hood there was also a place for the Intel UHD Graphics 630, which is capable of displaying an image on one or more displays (no games, only 2D and work needs).
The nominal TDP of the Intel Core i7-9700K is 95 watts, although monitoring programs during stress tests told about 127 watts. It looks like the truth. This is indeed a fairly hot CPU (after all, eight physical cores and a high clock speed).
Intel Core i7 9700K: Performance, Benchmark FPS Test
To cool this stone it is worth forking out for a powerful air cooler or CBO. Believe me, in a silent format, it will not be possible to remove heat from the Core i7-9700K in other ways.
We have chosen Scythe Fuma 2 for this purpose. This twin-fan giant enough not only default cooling the Core i7-9700K (no annoying sonic vibrations), but also for overclocking, which we’ll talk about later.
Intel Core i7-9700K Processor: Test stand
Motherboard – ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming
RAM – Kingston HyperX Fury DDR4-2666 8 GB
Video Card – ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2080
Drive – GoodRam CL100 Gen.2 480 GB
Power Supply – Fractal Design Ion+ Platinum 760W
Intel Core i7-9700K: Performance and test results
Obviously, the Core i7-9700K is a powerful processor that can handle both professional tasks and games well. The stone more powerful than its predecessor called the Core i7-8700K (in our case it’s the Core i7-8086K, take a look at the graphs), although in some applications the sense of 12 computing threads is more than 8 physical cores.
The Core i7-9700K retails too expensive.
But we are primarily interested in the confrontation between the Core i7-9700K and competitors from AMD, which finally appeared this year (a couple of years ago, new products from Intel competed exclusively with old stones from Intel).
The Core i7-9700K has two worthy rivals right now: the Ryzen 5 3600X (6 physical cores and 12 compute threads) and the Ryzen 7 3800X (8 physical cores and 16 compute threads). Pay attention to the fact that both devices from AMD retail for less than the 8-core flagship from Intel.
Well, what about the tests? They all (or all) put in their places. The AMD rivals are more powerful than the Core i7-9700K when it comes to nominal performance (that is, without overclocking) and professional tasks (rendering, archiving, etc.).
Moreover, the Ryzen 7 3800X successfully deals not only with today’s guest, but also with the Core i9-9900K (that is, with the top-end CPU for Socket LGA 1151). Wherein stone from AMD is at least 30% cheaper than a competitor.
And only in games did the Core i7-9700K win back the leadership (albeit not so impressive). Optimization does its job, as a result, the reviewed processor better reveals the potential of a top-end video card (GeForce RTX 2080 level).
On a system with a Core i7-9700K, you can count on slightly higher frame / s in modern games (by 5-10 percent) than on a PC with a Ryzen 7 3800X and Ryzen 5 3600X (or any other ryzen).
Intel Core i7-9700K Processor: Overclocking
The Ryzen 5 3600X is faster than the Core i7-9700K. Sounds wild, doesn’t it? AMD processor with 6 physical cores outperforms stone from Intel with 8 cores. When was this?
From defeat The Core i7-9700K can only save the unlocked multiplier. In fact, he was the one who helped. The reviewed modification easily operates at 5000 MHz (all 8 cores), this does not even require an increase in voltage (everything happens automatically) and fine-tuning of UEFI parameters.
At 5 GHz, the Core i7-9700K bypasses the Ryzen 5 3600X in professional tasks (and, of course, in games), but there is still no need to talk about equal competition with the Ryzen 7 3800X. Stone from AMD with 16 computational threads is objectively better.
By the way, the Core i7-9700K is capable of swing and at 5200 MHz, but here you can not do without CBO. In some tests stone overheats and BSOD occurs (on air).
Conclusion
The excitement around the Ryzen 3000 series processors was not born from scratch. Regular users (as well as professionals) found out through simple tests that cheaper CPUs from AMD are preferable for multimedia tasks than stones from Intel. So why pay more?
Core i7-9700K capable «swing” and at 5200 MHz, but here you can not do without CBO.
Increasingly, we are seeing news and statistics that AMD Ryzen CPUs are growing in popularity among gamers. And so it will continue until Intel adjusts its current pricing policy or releases fundamentally new products with unique features that a competitor does not have.
Now the most balanced mainstream processor for Socket LGA 1151 is the Core i5-9400F (in principle, this is the best CPU in the “under 10,000 rubles” category), but this is not enough. Some users need more power at an affordable price. And here the leaders are just the same devices from AMD.
The Intel Core i7-9700K is a good and fairly powerful 8-core processor with an unlocked multiplier and impressive overclocking potential (5000 MHz at air – no problem). Stone ideal for a professional machine and for a gaming PC (although for toys he’s too good).
But there is one problem that we talk about endlessly – the Core i7-9700K retails too expensive (about $400). The Ryzen 5 3600X, which is practically in no way inferior to it in terms of value, is estimated at almost half the price.
Well, let’s not even talk about the Ryzen 7 3800X. It is better than the Core i7-9700K in all tasks without exception, but, again, it costs less. Keywords: intel
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