CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i7-9700 and Intel Core 5 320 occupy the same performance percentile (72nd) but achieve it through opposing strategies. The i7-9700 is a desktop processor from the Coffee Lake Refresh generation, while the Core 5 320 is a mobile chip built on the newer Wildcat Lake architecture. The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split: the older desktop part dominates in some multi-threaded workloads, while the newer mobile chip wins decisively in single-threaded performance and several specialized tasks. This head-to-head analysis explores what these numbers mean for real-world use cases.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel Core i7-9700 wins by a massive 80.7% (11200 vs 6197). This is the single largest delta in the entire comparison. The i7-9700’s advantage here is overwhelming, suggesting that its 8 cores and 8 threads, combined with a 12 MB shared L3 cache, provide a substantial edge in sustained all-core rendering workloads. The Core 5 320, despite its newer 3 nm process node, simply cannot match this output, likely due to its lower 15 W TDP and 6-core/6-thread configuration.

However, the Core 5 320 strikes back in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where it wins by 13.9% (5462 vs 4704). This is a curious reversal. The data shows the i7-9700 leads in R15 multi-core by 7% (1128 vs 1054) and R23 multi-core by 80.7%, yet loses in R20. This inconsistency suggests that the R20 test may be more sensitive to the Core 5 320’s higher boost clock behavior or memory bandwidth (59.7 GB/s vs 42.7 GB/s), allowing it to outperform its older rival in that specific version of the benchmark.

Single-core performance is a clear win for the Core 5 320 across all Cinebench versions. In R15 single-core, it leads by 42.4% (276 vs 159). In R20, the margin is 13.9% (771 vs 664), and in R23 it wins by 17.9% (1926 vs 1581). The PassMark single-thread test confirms this trend with a 31.9% advantage (4045 vs 2756). This consistent pattern indicates that the Core 5 320’s architecture provides significantly better instructions-per-clock, which is a hallmark of the generational leap from 14 nm Coffee Lake to 3 nm Wildcat Lake.

In PassMark workloads, the results are split. The i7-9700 wins data compression by 21.9% (181411 vs 148779), integer math by 24.2% (40138 vs 32323), and random string sorting by 30.2% (23482 vs 18038). The Core 5 320 counters with wins in data encryption by 60.7% (10984 vs 4322), find prime numbers by 56.4% (110 vs 48), floating point math by 19.4% (42440 vs 34187), physics by 32.8% (1221 vs 820), and multithread by 14.4% (15450 vs 13223). The encryption and prime number results are particularly striking, showing the Core 5 320 is over 2x faster in these areas, which likely reflects support for newer instruction sets and a more efficient memory subsystem.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks overall?

A: The Intel Core 5 320 wins 11 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core i7-9700 wins 6. The mobile chip takes the majority, but the desktop part secures some of the most significant victories.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-9700 better for multi-core workloads?

A: It depends on the benchmark. The i7-9700 wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 80.7% and R15 multi-core by 7%, but loses Cinebench R20 multi-core by 13.9% and PassMark multithread by 14.4%. The data is mixed, with the i7-9700 showing a massive win in one specific test but losing in others.

Q: How much faster is the Core 5 320 in single-core performance?

A: The Core 5 320 leads by 42.4% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 13.9% in R20 single-core, 17.9% in R23 single-core, and 31.9% in PassMark single-thread. This is a consistent and substantial advantage.

Q: What explains the Core 5 320’s huge win in data encryption?

A: The Core 5 320 scores 10984 versus the i7-9700’s 4322, a 60.7% advantage. This likely stems from the newer architecture’s support for modern encryption instructions, which the older Coffee Lake design lacks or implements less efficiently.

Q: Does the i7-9700 have any advantages in memory-sensitive tasks?

A: Yes, the i7-9700 wins data compression by 21.9% and random string sorting by 30.2%. These tasks often benefit from larger caches, and the i7-9700’s 12 MB shared L3 cache is double the Core 5 320’s 6 MB.

Q: Are these processors in the same performance class?

A: Both have a 72nd percentile ranking among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are close (18180 for the i7-9700 vs 18023 for the Core 5 320). However, their performance profiles are very different, with the i7-9700 excelling in some multi-core tasks and the Core 5 320 dominating single-core and specialized workloads.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-9700 is built on Intel’s 14 nm process node with a die size of 180.3 mm², while the Intel Core 5 320 uses a 3 nm node. This process shrink is fundamental to the performance differences, enabling the Core 5 320 to achieve higher single-core scores despite a much lower 15 W TDP. The i7-9700 runs on the Coffee Lake architecture, part of the Core i7 (Coffee Lake Refresh) generation, while the Core 5 320 uses the Wildcat Lake codename from the Core 5 generation.

The i7-9700 features 8 cores and 8 threads, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core. Its L3 cache is 12 MB shared. The Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads, but its cache layout is different: 192 KB of L1 (total), 2.5 MB of L2 (total), and 6 MB of shared L3. The i7-9700’s larger L3 cache likely contributes to its wins in data compression and string sorting, where larger working sets can be cached.

Memory support is another major divide. The i7-9700 supports DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 5 320 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, but only over a single-channel bus, yet achieves 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. This higher bandwidth, despite the single-channel limitation, helps explain the Core 5 320’s strong performance in floating-point math and encryption. The Core 5 320 also features Gen 4 PCIe with 6 lanes, while the i7-9700 has Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

The integrated graphics differ significantly. The i7-9700 uses UHD Graphics 630, while the Core 5 320 has Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe). The Core 5 320’s newer graphics architecture is a clear generational upgrade, though no specific benchmark scores are provided for either. The i7-9700’s socket is Intel Socket 1151, whereas the Core 5 320 uses Intel BGA 1516, reflecting the desktop versus mobile design philosophy.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most obvious difference: the i7-9700 has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The base clock speeds are dramatically different, with the i7-9700 at 3.00 GHz and the Core 5 320 at just 1.50 GHz. However, boost clocks are closer, with the i7-9700 reaching 4.70 GHz and the Core 5 320 hitting 4.60 GHz.

The TDP is a stark contrast: 65 W for the i7-9700 versus 15 W for the Core 5 320. This 50 W difference explains why the i7-9700 can sustain higher multi-core performance in some tests, while the Core 5 320 relies on efficiency to deliver its wins. The process node also differs, with the i7-9700 at 14 nm and the Core 5 320 at 3 nm.

Memory support diverges completely. The i7-9700 uses DDR4 with dual-channel memory, while the Core 5 320 uses DDR5 and LPDDR5X with single-channel memory. The memory bandwidth tells a different story: the i7-9700 has 42.7 GB/s, but the Core 5 320 has 59.7 GB/s. The PCIe versions also differ: Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the i7-9700 versus Gen 4 with 6 lanes for the Core 5 320.

The i7-9700 has a launch MSRP of $333, while the Core 5 320 has a launch MSRP of $340. Both processors have locked multipliers, meaning they are not unlocked for overclocking. The i7-9700 is end-of-life, while the Core 5 320 is active. Their release dates are far apart, with the i7-9700 launching in 2019-04-22 and the Core 5 320 in 2026-04-15.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-9700 wins in workloads that leverage its 8 cores and large 12 MB L3 cache. Data compression is a clear win (21.9% ahead), as is integer math (24.2% ahead) and random string sorting (30.2% ahead). The massive 80.7% win in Cinebench R23 multi-core suggests that long-running, all-core rendering tasks favor the i7-9700. This makes it suitable for desktop users who prioritize multi-threaded content creation or data processing that fits within its larger cache.

The Intel Core 5 320 wins in single-core performance across every benchmark, with margins ranging from 13.9% to 42.4%. It also excels in encryption (60.7% ahead), prime number finding (56.4% ahead), floating-point math (19.4% ahead), and physics (32.8% ahead). The PassMark multithread score also favors it by 14.4%. These wins suggest the Core 5 320 is better for tasks that rely on high per-core performance, modern instruction sets, or efficient power use, such as scientific calculations, cryptography, or mobile productivity.

The split is not clean. The i7-9700 wins some multi-core tests (R15 and R23), while the Core 5 320 wins others (R20 and PassMark multithread). The i7-9700’s wins are often larger in magnitude (80.7% and 30.2%), while the Core 5 320’s wins are more numerous but sometimes smaller (13.9% to 19.4%). The Core 5 320’s single-core dominance is consistent and significant, which is crucial for everyday responsiveness and lightly-threaded applications.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for different users. The Intel Core i7-9700 is the choice for desktop users who need maximum multi-core performance in specific rendering and data-processing tasks. Its 80.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is a decisive indicator for workloads like 3D rendering or video encoding that scale with core count and cache size. If your primary applications resemble that benchmark, the i7-9700’s 8-core design and 12 MB L3 cache provide a substantial advantage.

The Intel Core 5 320 is the winner for mobile users or those prioritizing single-core speed and efficiency. With a 15 W TDP versus 65 W, it delivers comparable or better average performance (18023 vs 18180) while using far less power. Its 42.4% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and 31.9% lead in PassMark single-thread make it superior for general productivity, web browsing, and applications that rely on fast single-thread execution. The 60.7% advantage in data encryption also makes it a compelling choice for security-focused workloads.

Neither processor is universally superior. The i7-9700 wins 6 benchmarks, the Core 5 320 wins 11. The i7-9700’s wins are often in large, cache-heavy tasks, while the Core 5 320’s wins span single-core, specialized math, and encryption. A desktop user with heavy multi-threaded workloads should look at the i7-9700’s R23 result. A mobile user or anyone needing fast single-core response and modern features should favor the Core 5 320. The data does not support a single recommendation; it supports a use-case-based choice.