PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core 5 220H

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.5% higher average FPS across 40 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 95W, a 50W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core 5 220H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 5 220H across 40 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 21,192).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $385 MSRP, while Core 5 220H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌111.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 45W.

Core 5 220H

2024

Core i7-9700K

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.5% higher average FPS across 40 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 95W, a 50W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core 5 220H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 5 220H across 40 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,397 vs 21,192).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $385 MSRP, while Core 5 220H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌111.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 5 220H better than Core i7-9700K?

Yes. Core 5 220H is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 5.5% average FPS lead across 40 shared CPU game tests in our data, 47.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core 5 220H is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 5.5% more average FPS across 40 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 5 220H is the better fit. You are getting 47.2% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 16 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core 5 220H is the smarter buy by a wide margin for a fresh build. Core 5 220H is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $385 MSRP, and it gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 40 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-9700K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that is mostly used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (37.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a very cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core 5 220H is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2018), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, 50% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/8. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core 5 220H Benchmark Check

Core i7-9700K Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core 5 220H	Core i7-9700K
1080p
low	277 FPS	308 FPS
medium	249 FPS	278 FPS
high	210 FPS	231 FPS
ultra	181 FPS	182 FPS
1440p
low	230 FPS	270 FPS
medium	186 FPS	221 FPS
high	152 FPS	178 FPS
ultra	134 FPS	143 FPS
4K
low	161 FPS	170 FPS
medium	131 FPS	140 FPS
high	101 FPS	108 FPS
ultra	88 FPS	95 FPS

Open Core 5 220H Open Core i7-9700K

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core 5 220H	Core i7-9700K
1080p
low	530 FPS	360 FPS
medium	521 FPS	321 FPS
high	427 FPS	291 FPS
ultra	385 FPS	259 FPS
1440p
low	530 FPS	324 FPS
medium	449 FPS	282 FPS
high	376 FPS	258 FPS
ultra	323 FPS	225 FPS
4K
low	330 FPS	249 FPS
medium	279 FPS	221 FPS
high	256 FPS	208 FPS
ultra	225 FPS	179 FPS

Open Core 5 220H Open Core i7-9700K

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core 5 220H	Core i7-9700K
1080p
low	530 FPS	360 FPS
medium	530 FPS	360 FPS
high	530 FPS	360 FPS
ultra	530 FPS	360 FPS
1440p
low	530 FPS	360 FPS
medium	530 FPS	360 FPS
high	530 FPS	360 FPS
ultra	496 FPS	360 FPS
4K
low	530 FPS	360 FPS
medium	492 FPS	360 FPS
high	439 FPS	360 FPS
ultra	370 FPS	318 FPS

Open Core 5 220H Open Core i7-9700K

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core 5 220H	Core i7-9700K
1080p
low	530 FPS	360 FPS
medium	530 FPS	360 FPS
high	530 FPS	360 FPS
ultra	530 FPS	360 FPS
1440p
low	530 FPS	360 FPS
medium	530 FPS	360 FPS
high	530 FPS	360 FPS
ultra	530 FPS	360 FPS
4K
low	530 FPS	360 FPS
medium	530 FPS	360 FPS
high	500 FPS	360 FPS
ultra	431 FPS	360 FPS

Open Core 5 220H Open Core i7-9700K

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 5 220H and Core i7-9700K

Core 5 220H

The Core 5 220H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 December 2024 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. It features 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4X-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 21,192 points. Launch price was $342.

Core i7-9700K

The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.

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Processing Power

The Core 5 220H packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i7-9700K offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core 5 220H has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core 5 220H versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core 5 220H uses the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 220H scores 21,192 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 38.2% lead for the Core 5 220H. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core 5 220H vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.

Feature	Core 5 220H	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	12 / 16+50%	8 / 8
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz	4.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.6 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+50%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+700%	256K (per core)
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	21,192+47%	14,397

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Memory & Platform

The Core 5 220H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 5 220H	Core i7-9700K
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 5 220H) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core 5 220H requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.