Intel Core i7-9700K vs Intel Core i7-8700K
The Intel Core i7-9700K is the faster chip for gaming by roughly 3%. Here is the full spec-by-spec breakdown.
| Specification | Intel Core i7-9700K | Intel Core i7-8700K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score | 63/100 | 61/100 |
| Tier | B | C |
| Manufacturer | Intel | Intel |
| Cores | 8 | 6 |
| Threads | 8 | 12 |
| Base clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.9 GHz | 4.7 GHz |
| Power draw (TDP) | 95 W | 95 W |
| Release year | 2018 | 2017 |
Which should you buy?
For gaming specifically, the Intel Core i7-9700K is the better buy — it holds a 3% lead in our index, which shows up most at 1080p and in CPU-bound titles like strategy and simulation games. The Intel Core i7-9700K has more cores (8 vs 6), which helps if you stream, compile or render alongside playing. Either way, pair it with a graphics card of similar standing — check the bottleneck calculator before you buy.