Intel processor
Core i7-9700K
8 cores and 8 threads, released in 2018, at index 55 on our scale - 30 of 39 processors tracked here. Paired with the fastest card we track and 32 GB of memory, it is still the part that runs out first in 18 of 19 games.
Performance index
55 of 100
Cores / threads
8/8
Limits the rig in
18 of 19 games
With the ceiling removed
Every row below pairs the Core i7-9700K with the GeForce RTX 5090 and 32 GB of memory. Where the verdict still stops short, this processor is the reason.
| Game | Verdict | Held back by | Game page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto VI | Runs at minimum (of recommended) | processor | open ↗ |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Runs at minimum (of recommended) | processor | open ↗ |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | Runs well (of high) | processor | open ↗ |
| Elden Ring | Runs well (of high) | processor | open ↗ |
| Counter-Strike 2 | Runs well (of high) | processor | open ↗ |
| Alan Wake 2 | Runs well (of high) | processor | open ↗ |
| Starfield | Runs well (of high) | processor | open ↗ |
| Black Myth: Wukong | Runs well (of high) | processor | open ↗ |
| Hogwarts Legacy | Runs well (of high) | processor | open ↗ |
| Fortnite | Runs well (of high) | processor | open ↗ |
| Helldivers 2 | Runs well | nothing | open ↗ |
| Grand Theft Auto V | Runs at high (of ultra) | processor | open ↗ |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | Runs at high (of ultra) | processor | open ↗ |
| Monster Hunter Wilds | Runs well (of high) | processor | open ↗ |
| Marvel Rivals | Runs well (of high) | processor | open ↗ |
| Apex Legends | Runs well (of high) | processor | open ↗ |
| Forza Horizon 5 | Runs at high (of ultra) | processor | open ↗ |
| Palworld | Runs at minimum (of recommended) | processor | open ↗ |
| Destiny 2 | Runs at high (of ultra) | processor | open ↗ |
What to pair it with
The Radeon RX 9070 XT at index 50 is the closest match in our catalogue. Anything much faster spends its time waiting for this processor in the games above.
Questions
- Is the Core i7-9700K fast enough for modern games?
- At index 55 it ranks 30 of the 39 processors we track. Paired with the fastest card in our catalogue it still becomes the limiting part in 18 of 19 games, and clears every tier defined in 1.
- What graphics card should go with a Core i7-9700K?
- Roughly index 50: the Radeon RX 9070 XT is the closest match we track. A much faster card would spend most of its time waiting for this processor.