I7-9700k or i9-9900k?
I7-9700k or i9-9900k?
Hi everyone,
For gaming purposes only: if the CPU can only run at 95 Watts, which one should I pick between the I7-9700k and the I9-9900k? Clearly, with that power limit, overclocking isn't possible, so which will be faster—I9 or I7—or does it really matter? The limits are based on VRMs and cooling, and I don’t want to change my current setup. I have both CPUs, so price isn’t a factor.
Nice question, a different take.
TIA,
Larry
The power limit depends on VRMs, cooling systems, and I prefer to stick with the current CPU setup. Could you share your current processor details? What is the brand and model of your motherboard? Also, tell me about your cooler, case, and fan count inside it. I have both CPUs available, so budget isn't a concern. The i9 would need more cooling. You mentioned gaming—what titles are we focusing on? At which resolution?
How does the present hardware fit into this context? If both processors are restricted to the same power consumption, then why would the I9 need more cooling? How can the types of games or their resolution matter—wouldn’t they be identical for either processor? The real issue is whether keeping both CPUs at 95 Watts would result in better performance compared to other settings.
Sorry, I missed a part of your original message when adding my response.
Since you have both models, the i9-9900K is the choice. The key distinction lies in having 16 threads compared to 8 on the other. While 8 threads work for most games, the 9900K offers a boost to 5.0 versus 4.9. With the i9, you have the flexibility to lower the thread count if needed, whereas with the I7 this isn't possible.
With the power constraints, it's actually feasible for the 9700K to reach higher temperatures more quickly in certain situations (you could simply disable hyperthreading on the 9900K). This would mainly happen under heavy workloads, so few games are threaded enough to be a worry. I'd choose the 9900K in those cases instead.
While exploring undervolting/powerlimiting, I came across a Reddit discussion by someone named Willswill who conducted some quantitative tests on the I9-9900k. The findings he shared are truly remarkable! If these results hold up (and his methods seem reliable), I wouldn’t face any issues with cooling or performance. He’s not as breathless as I am, though he claims otherwise. Check out his thread here; it’s worth a read and your thoughts welcome!