Comparing the I7 9700K and the i9 9900K highlights their differences in performance and features.
Comparing the I7 9700K and the i9 9900K highlights their differences in performance and features.
You're considering upgrading your motherboard to support newer CPUs while keeping your existing hardware. The 9700k typically retails around 250€, whereas the 9900k is about 300€. Since gaming performance isn't expected to improve significantly with these upgrades, the main benefit would be compatibility and future-proofing. If you're already investing in strong cooling, it might not add much extra value. Focus on ensuring your current setup can handle the new CPU's power requirements before deciding.
i7 9700k stands out as a very fast processor without hyperthreading, making it ideal for multitasking compared to the 9900k. Both use 8 cores and run at the same speed.
The 9900K offers improved performance, making it a more attractive option for its cost. Still, it's important to verify if your motherboard can support the necessary VRM setup.
The key distinction for me is that the i9 9900k features a 5GHz CPU, whereas the i7 9700k does not. This matters because when I used a GTX 1080 or lower, speed wasn’t the issue, but with the RTX 2080 Ti it became important. For running RTX 3070 or better now or later, an Intel CPU is necessary; otherwise, performance drops significantly. You might be able to push the i7 9700k further, but exceeding that limit depends on the chip design. I prefer not to sacrifice performance, so I avoid Intel CPUs without a 5GHz speed. The 5GHz benchmark is crucial because it hits a performance ceiling where gains slow down. The i9 9900ks are solid and haven’t been surpassed by newer models, especially compared to the i7 10700k or the upcoming i7 11700k. I own one and for most games, my i9 10900k isn’t seen as an upgrade. The main drawbacks are needing a quality motherboard and cooling system to get the best results. My setup uses a Z390 Aorus Ultra with a Noctua NH-D15, which handles it well with just one fan and a 5GHz all-core boost.
For a $50 discount, I’d pick the 9900K, though it still relies on your motherboard and VRM setup.
She would get the 9600k, I would get the 9900k, her i3 8300 would be sold. I'm using a Asus Strix Z390-E motherboard I believe, not the highest end motherboard but I don't think it'll be an issue. My CPU cooler is a noctua NH-D15 so I can't really improve it unless I go water, which I'm not willing to do. I'm using an old 980ti, and I'm still waiting on a 3080. The only thing in my pc that could do with improving at the moment is the CPU and maybe the RAM, I'm using 16GB of DDR4 @3000mhz The memory is at least 5-6 years old, from around the time DDR4 came out I believe(I recall it being +200€).
What's the price for the 9900k? Since you're selling her CPU, you might want to pair it with her motherboard, give her your CPU board, and just grab a 10700k plus Z490. The 9900k tends to be pricier than the 10700k, has poorer thermal performance, is less secure, and doesn't reach as high a clock speed.
Retail rates here show the 9700K at 300€ and the 9900K at 350€. However, since my main goal is gaming, I’m unlikely to risk the 9700K compared to the 9900K. I might hold off for a price drop. Selling her motherboard and buying a new one is an alternative, but it raises the cost again. Switching to a Ryzen could be worth considering, though the performance gap between Intel and AMD for gaming seems minimal.