The Intel Core i7-14700 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victories in eleven out of fourteen measured specifications. Its most significant technical advantage over the Intel Core i9-9900K is its L2 cache, which is 1300% larger. This substantial increase in cache capacity provides the primary performance edge for the newer processor, making it the superior choice for handling complex data tasks and modern computing workloads that rely on efficient memory access.

Users prioritizing modern architecture and high-capacity cache should select the Intel Core i7-14700 for their builds. Conversely, the Intel Core i9-9900K remains a viable option for specific use cases that benefit from its 71% higher base clock speed. If your primary requirement is a higher base frequency rather than the expanded cache and overall spec dominance offered by the newer model, the older processor remains the only choice that excels in that specific metric.