Intel Core i7-9700K vs Intel Core Ultra 7 268V Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 7 268V and Intel Core i7-9700K are both 8-core, 8-thread processors, but they come from different generations and market segments. The Ultra 7 268V is a mobile Lunar Lake part built on a 3 nm process, while the i7-9700K is a desktop Coffee Lake chip on 14 nm. Benchmark results show the Ultra 7 winning 15 of 19 head-to-head tests, with a higher average score of 20897 versus 20271. Both sit at the 74th percentile of all CPUs in the database, but the performance split is far from even.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ultra 7 268V dominates the single-core tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 293 against 174, a 68.4% lead. Geekbench single-core shows 2270 versus 1639, a 38.5% advantage. Passmark single-thread is 4051 versus 2865, a 41.4% gap. These are not marginal differences; the Lunar Lake architecture delivers a substantial per-thread uplift over the older Coffee Lake design.

Multi-core results are more mixed. The Ultra 7 wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 31.1% (1616 vs 1233) and R20 multi-core by 34% (6887 vs 5139). Geekbench multi-core goes to the Ultra 7 by 27.7% (9963 vs 7799). Passmark multithread also favors the Ultra 7, 19297 versus 14414, a 33.9% lead. However, the i7-9700K takes Cinebench R23 multi-core by 13% (12238 vs 10653). That is a notable reversal, and it suggests the i7-9700K can still hold its own in certain sustained multi-threaded workloads.

The i7-9700K also wins three Passmark subtests. Data compression goes to the i7-9700K by 12.8% (208062 vs 181443). Extended instructions favor the i7-9700K by 15.3% (18088 vs 15323). Random string sorting is won by the i7-9700K by 13% (25756 vs 22416). These are specific, compute-heavy tasks where the older chip's higher base clock and desktop power envelope help.

The Ultra 7's biggest wins are in encryption and prime number finding. Passmark data encryption shows a 200.2% lead (13779 vs 4590). Passmark find prime numbers is even more lopsided: 192 versus 52, a 269.2% advantage. Physics simulation also goes strongly to the Ultra 7, 1617 versus 880, an 83.8% lead. Floating point math is 62.3% higher (57628 vs 35498). Integer math is closer, with the Ultra 7 ahead by just 3% (42669 vs 41411).

Overall, the Ultra 7 wins 15 of 19 tests, and its average benchmark score is 20897 versus 20271 for the i7-9700K. The i7-9700K's four wins are all in specific workloads, not in general-purpose compute.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher single-thread performance?

A: The Ultra 7 268V wins every single-thread test. It leads by 68.4% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 38.5% in Geekbench single-core, and 41.4% in Passmark single-thread.

Q: Which is better for multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Ultra 7 wins most multi-thread tests, including Cinebench R15 (31.1%), R20 (34%), Geekbench multi (27.7%), and Passmark multithread (33.9%). The i7-9700K wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 13%.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The Ultra 7 268V has a TDP of 17 W, while the i7-9700K is rated at 95 W. That is a massive efficiency gap.

Q: Which has more cache?

A: The Ultra 7 has 192 KB L1 and 2.5 MB L2 per core, while the i7-9700K has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. Both share 12 MB of L3.

Q: Which is newer?

A: The Ultra 7 was released on 2024-09-23, while the i7-9700K was released on 2018-10-18.

Q: Which has better integrated graphics?

A: The Ultra 7 has Arc 140V, while the i7-9700K has UHD Graphics 630.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same core and thread count, but almost everything else differs. The Ultra 7 268V is built on a 3 nm process at TSMC, while the i7-9700K uses Intel's 14 nm node. The Ultra 7 has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz; the i7-9700K runs at 3.60 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost. The Ultra 7's TDP is 17 W, versus 95 W for the i7-9700K.

Cache organization is different. The Ultra 7 has 192 KB of L1 and 2.5 MB of L2 per core, while the i7-9700K has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. Both have 12 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 7 uses a dual-channel memory bus with support that depends on the motherboard, while the i7-9700K uses DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s.

PCIe support also differs. The Ultra 7 provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-9700K offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The integrated graphics are Arc 140V on the Ultra 7 and UHD Graphics 630 on the i7-9700K. The Ultra 7 is a mobile part on Intel BGA 2833, while the i7-9700K is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1151. The i7-9700K has an unlocked multiplier, while the Ultra 7 is locked. The i7-9700K has a die size of 180.3 mm²; the Ultra 7's die size is not recorded. The i7-9700K is end-of-life, while the Ultra 7 is active.

The Verdict

The data points clearly to the Ultra 7 268V as the stronger processor for most tasks. It wins 15 of 19 head-to-head benchmarks, has a higher average score, and does so at a fraction of the power draw. The single-core advantage is decisive, and even in multi-core tests it leads in most cases. The i7-9700K retains wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core, data compression, extended instructions, and random string sorting, and it has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. For a modern mobile system, the Ultra 7 is the obvious choice. For a legacy desktop build where those specific workloads matter and overclocking is desired, the i7-9700K still has a place, but it is not the general-purpose winner.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 7 268V | Intel Core i7-9700K |

|----------------|-------------------------|----------------------|

| Process node | 3 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Base clock | 2.20 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 17 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2833 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Lunar Lake | Coffee Lake |

| L1 cache (per core) | 192 KB | 64 KB |

| L2 cache (per core) | 2.5 MB | 256 KB |

| Memory support | Depends on motherboard | DDR4 |

| Memory bandwidth | Not specified | 42.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 4 lanes | Gen 3, 16 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Arc 140V | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release date | 2024-09-23 | 2018-10-18 |

| Launch MSRP | None | $385 |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part number | SRPMLSRPMX | SRG15SRELT |

| Die size | Not specified | 180.3 mm² |

Where Each One Wins

The Ultra 7 268V wins in encryption, prime number finding, physics simulation, floating point math, integer math, multithread, single-thread, Geekbench, and all Cinebench tests except R23 multi-core. It is the better choice for general compute, security-related workloads, and any task that benefits from high per-core performance.

The i7-9700K wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core, data compression, extended instructions, and random string sorting. These are specific, often memory-latency-sensitive or instruction-heavy workloads. If your primary use case involves those tasks, the i7-9700K can still be competitive, especially with its unlocked multiplier for overclocking. For everything else, the Ultra 7 268V is the faster and far more efficient processor.