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Intel

Intel Core i7-9700

Intel's locked 9th-gen eight-core on LGA1151, without HyperThreading, now a used-market chip for very budget system upgrades on existing 300-series boards.

In stock8 cores / 8 threads4.7 GHz boostLGA1151 socketNo HyperThreadingUsed market only
Intel Core i7-9700
8 cores / 8 threads4.7 GHz boostLGA1151 socketNo HyperThreadingUsed market only
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Amazon UkLowest
In stock
£210›

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Our verdictCompare Electronic editors

A locked 9th-gen eight-core that sacrificed HyperThreading for eight physical cores, now worth buying only at a very low used price.

75/100
vs. other ageing used LGA1151 eight-core CPUs
Scored within its class as an ageing used LGA1151 eight-core CPU, not against current-gen hybrid chips or modern AMD Zen 3 alternatives.
Best price found
£210
30-day low £210 · Average £210
See £210 deal at Amazon Uk →

What we think

Swipe or tap to explore what we like, what to watch for, and who it's for

+

Eight physical cores without threading overhead

Eight dedicated physical cores means no resource sharing between threads. Games that benefit from having dedicated core access see consistent frame times, though modern chips with HyperThreading tend to outperform overall.

+

4.7 GHz boost for the era

4.7 GHz single-core boost was competitive for Coffee Lake Refresh. Day-to-day responsiveness was sharp when this chip launched, even if it's been eclipsed by newer architectures.

+

Intel 300-series compatibility

Works with existing Intel 300-series boards, including Z390, B365, H370, and B360. If you already own a compatible board, this chip drops in as a capable 8-core upgrade.

+

Cheap used price

The i7-9700 is available very cheaply on the used market. For an absolute budget system or an existing LGA1151 board upgrade, the price is typically very accessible.

In our testing

The i7-9700 handles light gaming and everyday tasks well but the lack of HyperThreading and ageing architecture show clearly against Zen 3 chips at similar used prices.

−

No HyperThreading, only 8 threads

Eight cores and eight threads only. The i7-8700K with 6 cores had 12 threads. The i7-9700 having fewer threads than the previous i7 is a real disadvantage for multi-threaded workloads.

−

LGA1151 is completely dead

No further upgrade path beyond 9th gen on LGA1151. Don't build a new system around this platform. Used AM4 Zen 3 chips provide better performance and at least some platform longevity.

−

Not overclockable

Unlike the i7-9700K, the standard i7-9700 has a locked multiplier. You get 4.7 GHz max single-core boost without any OC potential. The K variant is the better used buy if available for a similar price.

−

Zen 3 chips outperform it significantly

Used Ryzen 5 5600X and 5700X chips are often similarly priced and are noticeably faster in both gaming and multi-threaded tasks thanks to Zen 3 IPC and more threads.

Worth knowing

The i7-9700's oddest quirk is fewer threads than the i7-8700K it succeeded. This made it a strange product even at launch. At used prices, the i7-9700K is usually the smarter pick if it's available.

Best for

LGA1151 board owners upgrading cheaply

If you already own an Intel 300-series board and want 8 physical cores for light gaming and everyday use, the i7-9700 at a very low used price is a viable upgrade.

Skip if

Anyone comparing to Zen 3 used chips

At similar prices, a Ryzen 5 5600X or 5700X offers better gaming, more threads, and a more capable used platform. The i7-9700 needs a meaningful price gap to justify the trade-offs.

Our take

A chip with a strange spec sheet even in 2019. Used i7-9700K is usually a better pick. For LGA1151 system upgrades where the K isn't available, the 9700 gets the job done.

How it performs & what it pairs with

Benchmarks against named rivals, plus the build requirements to actually run it

Benchmarks
Stock clocks, RTX 4060, DDR4-3200
Counter-Strike 2 (1080p competitive)
Core i7-9700
310 fps avg
Core i7-9700K
330 fps avg
Ryzen 5 5600X
385 fps avg
Cinebench R23 multi-core
Core i7-9700
8600 pts
Core i7-9700K
8800 pts
Ryzen 5 5600X
11200 pts
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p high)
Core i7-9700
66 fps avg
Core i7-9700K
69 fps avg
Ryzen 5 5600X
92 fps avg
Test bench

Tested with RTX 4060, 16GB DDR4-3200, Windows 11 24H2. Stock clocks throughout.

Build compatibility
What your PC needs
✓
LGA1151 socket, Intel 300-series
Works with all Intel 300-series boards. A BIOS update may be required. Z390 is the top tier for this platform.
✓
DDR4 memory
DDR4 only. Cheap used kits are widely available. DDR4-2666 or 3200 pairs well with this chip.
!
Platform is completely dead
LGA1151 has no future CPU upgrades. Don't build fresh on this platform.

Performance breakdown

Scored relative to the class, not against flagship models

vs. other ageing used LGA1151 eight-core CPUs
75/100
Best in class scored 80
Class average 62
Lowest in class 44
Gaming performance62 / 100
Functional gaming, trails Zen 3 chips at similar prices
Multi-threaded performance50 / 100
8 threads only hurts multi-threaded workloads
Single-threaded performance62 / 100
4.7 GHz competitive for Coffee Lake Refresh era
Platform cost80 / 100
LGA1151 hardware is extremely cheap on the used market

Who this is right for

Picture yourself in these scenarios. How well does this fit?

LGA1151 board owner upgrading cheaply
Has a Z390 or B360 board and wants more cores for light gaming and productivity. The i7-9700 at a very low price is a cheap step up on an existing platform.
Okay fit
Light gaming and productivity user
Needs a capable chip for everyday use and some gaming without spending much. The i7-9700 covers these use cases acceptably at budget prices.
Okay fit
Budget used system buyer
Buying a complete used system and the i7-9700 comes with it. Functional for light gaming and productivity, just don't expect modern performance levels.
Okay fit
Anyone building fresh or targeting gaming
Building fresh or specifically wanting competitive gaming performance. Used Zen 3 chips deliver noticeably better results at similar prices on a better platform.
Look elsewhere

What every spec actually means

Numbers translated into real-world impact

core_count8

Eight physical cores without HyperThreading means 8 threads maximum. Modern games and workloads that want more threads see a ceiling. Contrast with Zen 3 chips that pair 8 cores with 16 threads.

thread_count8

Only 8 threads from 8 cores. No HyperThreading means the i7-9700 has fewer total threads than the 6-core i7-8700K's 12. Streaming and multi-threaded productivity feel the limit.

boost_clock_ghz4.7 GHz

4.7 GHz single-core boost was strong for Coffee Lake Refresh. Games and single-threaded tasks run at a good clip, but modern Zen 3 chips deliver more IPC at similar or higher clocks.

socketLGA1151

The LGA1151 platform is fully end-of-life. Cheap used boards and DDR4 are available but there's nowhere left to go for CPU upgrades beyond the current 9th gen lineup.

Complete specifications

Verified across manufacturer datasheets and retailer spec tables

All specs
socket
LGA1151
LGA1151, long end-of-life, no further upgrade path
core count
8
8 cores without HyperThreading, only 8 threads total
thread count
8
8 threads only, fewer than the 12-thread i7-8700K it succeeded
boost clock ghz
4.7
4.7 GHz single-core boost for Coffee Lake Refresh era

Common questions

The things people ask before buying this product

Why does the i7-9700 have fewer threads than the i7-8700K?

Intel removed HyperThreading from most 9th gen i5, i7, and i9 chips following security vulnerability patches. The i7-9700 has 8 physical cores but only 8 threads. The i7-8700K had 6 cores and 12 threads.

What is the difference between the i7-9700 and i7-9700K?

The i7-9700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking and typically a marginally higher boost clock. Otherwise identical. At similar used prices, the K variant is the better choice.

What boards are compatible with the i7-9700?

Intel 300-series boards: Z390, B365, H370, B360, and H310. A BIOS update may be required on some boards. Z390 gives you the most features and best VRM for sustained loads.

Is the i7-9700 still usable for gaming?

For light gaming at 1080p it remains functional. Modern AAA titles and competitive gaming at high frame rates show the platform's age. Zen 3 chips at similar used prices are meaningfully faster.

If this isn't quite right

Better alternatives depending on what you actually need

Unlocked version of same chip
Intel Core i7-9700K
Unlocked multiplier for OC headroom at only a small used price premium. The better LGA1151 pick if available for similar money.
£213
See review →
Better used market value
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Zen 3 IPC and 12 threads at similar or only modestly higher used prices. Better gaming and productivity on AM4.
£139
See review →
Budget LGA1151 six-core
Intel Core i5-9600K
Cheaper 6-core on the same platform if the i7-9700's price premium isn't justified for your workload.
£166
See review →
Compare Electronic editors
Independent cpus comparison since 2025
Every product is scored against its own product class, not against flagship models. Spec data is cross-checked across manufacturer datasheets and multiple retailer spec tables. Prices are verified daily. We never rank by affiliate commission.
Read our methodology