i7-870S vs i9-9900K

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-9900K and Core i7-870S processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	675	2025
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	7.63	no data
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Core i9 (Desktop)	no data
Power efficiency	11.45	2.00
Architecture codename	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Lynnfield (2009−2010)
Release date	8 October 2018 (6 years ago)	19 July 2010 (14 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$488	no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-9900K and Core i7-870S basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores	8 (Octa-Core)	4 (Quad-Core)
Threads	16	8
Base clock speed	3.6 GHz	2.66 GHz
Boost clock speed	5 GHz	3.6 GHz
Bus type	DMI 3.0	no data
Bus rate	4 × 8 GT/s	2.5 GT/s
L1 cache	512 KB	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	2 MB	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	16 MB (shared)	8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	14 nm	45 nm
Die size	178 mm2	296 mm2
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	no data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	72 °C	no data
Number of transistors	no data	774 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	-
Unlocked multiplier	+	-

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-9900K and Core i7-870S compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration	1 (Uniprocessor)	1
Socket	LGA-1151	FCLGA1156,LGA1156
Power consumption (TDP)	95 Watt	82 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-9900K and Core i7-870S. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2	Intel® SSE4.2
AES-NI	+	-
AVX	+	-
vPro	+	no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	1.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
TSX	+	-
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	-
SIPP	+	-
Demand Based Switching	no data	-
PAE	no data	36 Bit

Security technologies

Core i9-9900K and Core i7-870S technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	+	+
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	+	no data
MPX	+	-
Identity Protection	+	-
SGX	Yes with Intel® ME	no data
OS Guard	+	no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-9900K and Core i7-870S are enumerated here.

AMD-V	+	-
VT-d	+	+
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-9900K and Core i7-870S. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4	DDR3
Maximum memory size	128 GB	16 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	44.668 GB/s	21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	Intel UHD Graphics 630	no data
Max video memory	64 GB	no data
Quick Sync Video	+	-
Clear Video	+	no data
Clear Video HD	+	no data
Graphics max frequency	1.2 GHz	no data
InTru 3D	+	no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i9-9900K and Core i7-870S integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

3

no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i9-9900K and Core i7-870S integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support	+	no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	4096 x 2304@24Hz	no data
Max resolution over eDP	4096 x 2304@60Hz	no data
Max resolution over DisplayPort	4096 x 2304@60Hz	no data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i9-9900K and Core i7-870S integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX	12	no data
OpenGL	4.5	no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-9900K and Core i7-870S.

PCIe version	3.0	2.0
PCI Express lanes	16	16

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.

---

Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

---

Pros & cons summary

---

Performance score	11.71	1.77
Recency	8 October 2018	19 July 2010
Physical cores	8	4
Threads	16	8
Chip lithography	14 nm	45 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	95 Watt	82 Watt

---

Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-9900K and Core i7-870S, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.

---