Intel · Core

Core i7-9700K

Released October 2018

An unlocked eight-core Coffee Lake desktop processor for gaming and Intel 300-series PCs.

Model history · 4 models, 2015–2018
  1. 2015Core i7-6700KCompare
  2. 2017Core i7-7700KCompare
  3. 2017Core i7-8700KCompare
  4. 2018Core i7-9700K
Cores
8/8
Boost
4.9 GHz
L3
12 MB
Power
95 W
Socket
LGA1151

What reviewers say

Reviews find fast gaming performance, but generally modest gaming gains over the Core i7-8700K. Eight cores help some workloads, while the lack of Hyper-Threading leaves it behind Ryzen alternatives in several demanding creator tasks. Its launch price and the cost of cooling weaken its value.

From techradar.com and techspot.com

Cores and clocks

Cores
8
Threads
8
Base clock
3.6 GHz
Boost clock
4.9 GHz
L3 cache
12 MB
Cores
Eight cores without Hyper-Threading; Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 supported.
Clocks
Maximum turbo is a single-core frequency; sustained clocks depend on cooling and motherboard power settings. Intel's current specification page publishes TDP without a separate maximum turbo-power figure.

Graphics and AI

Built-in graphics
Yes
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 630; 350 MHz base, up to 1.2 GHz; three displays; Quick Sync Video. HDMI up to 4096×2304 at 24 Hz; DisplayPort and eDP up to 4096×2304 at 60 Hz.

Platform

Socket
LGA1151
Base power
95 W
Unlocked
Yes
Cooler in the box
No
Memory support
Up to 128 GB; two channels; DDR4-2666; 41.6 GB/s maximum bandwidth; ECC not supported.
PCIe
PCIe 3.0; 16 CPU lanes, configured as 1×16, 2×8 or 1×8+2×4. Intel's launch figure of 40 platform lanes includes chipset lanes.
Process
14 nm; Coffee Lake; 37.5 × 37.5 mm package; 100°C maximum junction temperature. Intel confirms a soldered thermal interface for the unlocked ninth-generation launch models.
Cooler
Boxed processor includes no fan or heatsink. Intel 300-series motherboard compatibility requires the appropriate BIOS and vendor support.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Unlocked CPU multiplier
  • Eight physical cores
  • Integrated UHD Graphics 630

Cons

  • No Hyper-Threading
  • No cooler included
  • PCIe limited to version 3.0

Closest rivals

Model
CoresBoostL3PowerSocketReleased
8/164.3 GHz16 MB105 WAM4Apr 2018
8/163.8 GHz16 MB95 WAM4Mar 2017
8/164 GHz16 MB95 WAM4Mar 2017

Previous model: Core i7-8700K. Newer model: Core i7-10700K.

Sources

  1. intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/186604/intel-core-i79700k-processor-12…
  2. download.intel.com/newsroom/2021/archive/2018-10-08-news-releases-intel-announc…
  3. download.intel.com/newsroom/2021/archive/2018-10-19-news-9th-gen-intel-core-i9-…

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