
9th Gen Intel Core i7-9700K
- iGPU:
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
- Boost/Base Clock:
- 4.9 GHz / 3.6 GHz
- Core/Thread Count:
- 8 Core / 8 Thread
- Cache:
- 12MB L3 + 2MB L2 + 512KB L1
- TDP:
- 95 Watts
- CPU Process Node:
- 14 Nanometers
- CPU Socket:
- LGA 1151
- CPU Series:
- Coffee Lake Refresh
- Memory Support:
- DDR4-2666
- Form Factor:
- Desktop
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Manufacturer: Intel Last updated: September 9, 2026
9th Gen Intel Core i7-9700K Review
The 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9700K is an unlocked 8-core, 8-thread desktop processor built on Coffee Lake Refresh, running a 3.6 GHz base clock that boosts to 4.9 GHz within a 95 Watt TDP on the LGA 1151 socket.
This chip's 8 physical cores without hyperthreading was a deliberate Intel design choice, prioritizing per-core gaming performance over the 16-thread capability of the pricier i9-9900K at a more accessible price point.
Intel UHD Graphics 630
A basic integrated GPU intended for display output; enthusiast desktop builds around this chip typically pair it with a discrete GPU.
How Is the Core i7-9700K in Terms of Performance
The 8 physical cores without hyperthreading give this chip genuinely strong gaming performance, since most games of its era didn't benefit meaningfully from more than 8 threads, while the unlocked multiplier lets enthusiasts push clocks further.
Benchmarks
Cinebench R20 single-core scores of 481 reflect genuinely strong per-core performance for Coffee Lake Refresh, a key driver of this chip's reputation as a strong gaming CPU relative to its price at launch.
Specifications
Identity
| Brand | Intel |
|---|---|
| Product Line | Core i7 |
| Product Line | Core i |
| Model Number | 9700K |
| Codename | Coffee Lake Refresh |
| Release Year | 2018 |
Segment and platform
| Market Segment | Desktop |
|---|---|
| Microarchitecture | Coffee Lake Refresh, 9th Gen Intel Core |
| Socket | LGA1151 |
| Socket Status | End of Life |
| Process Node | 14 nm |
| Process Node | 14 nm |
Core configuration
| Total Cores | 8 |
|---|---|
| Performance Cores | 8 |
| Efficiency Cores | 0 |
| Total Threads | 8 |
| SMT Enabled | No |
Clock speeds
| P-Core Base Clock | 3.6 GHz |
|---|---|
| P-Core Boost Clock | 4.9 GHz |
| Unlocked Multiplier | Yes |
Cache
| L2 Cache | 2 MB |
|---|---|
| L3 Cache | 12 MB |
Power and thermal
| Base Power | 95 W |
|---|---|
| Max Turbo Power | 95 W |
| Bundled Cooler | None |
Memory
| Memory Type | DDR4-2666 |
|---|---|
| Memory Type | DDR4 |
| Max Memory Speed | 2666 MT/s |
| Memory Channels | 2 |
| Max Memory Capacity | 128 GB |
| ECC Support | No |
Graphics and AI
| Integrated Graphics | Yes |
|---|---|
| iGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| iGPU Compute Units | 24 |
| Copilot Plus Certified | No |
Expansion
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 |
|---|---|
| PCIe Lanes | 16 |
Commercial
| Launch MSRP | 374 USD |
|---|---|
| Retail Availability | Discontinued |
| Form Factor | Desktop |
|---|---|
| Core/Thread Count | 8 Core / 8 Thread |
| TDP | 95 W |
| iGPU | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Cache | 12MB L3 + 2MB L2 + 512KB L1 |
| Boost/Base Clock | 4.9 GHz / 3.6 GHz |
Measured results
SPEC CPU 2017
Best published result on spec.org as of 23 Sept 2026.
| SPECrate® 2017 Integer (base) | 44.8 |
Cores 8 · Tested in SuperWorkstation 5039C-T (X11SCA , Intel Core i7-9700K) · Published by Supermicro, Jan-2019
Full disclosure on spec.org| SPECrate® 2017 Floating Point (base) | 42.6 |
Cores 8 · Tested in SuperWorkstation 5039C-T (X11SCA , Intel Core i7-9700K) · Published by Supermicro, Jan-2019
Full disclosure on spec.orgSPEC®, SPECrate® and SPECspeed® are registered trademarks of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation. Copied by permission of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC). Results retrieved from www.spec.org on 23 Sept 2026.
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Best for
- Gaming-focused desktop builds wanting strong 8-core per-core performance without paying for the i9-9900K's hyperthreading
Not for
- Buyers needing maximum multi-threaded throughput for content creation — the 16-thread i9-9900K handles that better
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9700K?
The 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9700K is a processor from Intel. Key specs: iGPU Intel UHD Graphics 630, Boost/Base Clock 4.9 GHz / 3.6 GHz, Core/Thread Count 8 Core / 8 Thread, Cache 12MB L3 + 2MB L2 + 512KB L1, TDP 95 Watts.
Will the 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9700K work with my current setup?
The 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9700K lists CPU Socket is LGA 1151. Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.
Who is the 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9700K best suited to?
It suits gaming-focused desktop builds wanting strong 8-core per-core performance without paying for the i9-9900k's hyperthreading.
What are the drawbacks of the 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9700K?
It is a poor fit for buyers needing maximum multi-threaded throughput for content creation — the 16-thread i9-9900k handles that better.
