Core i3-1220P vs Core i9-10885H

Intel

Core i3-1220P

10 Cores12 Thrd28 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i9-10885H

8 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2020
Core family
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Core i3-1220P vs Core i9-10885H Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-1220P vs Core i9-10885H FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-1220P vs Core i9-10885H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-1220P

2022

Why buy it

  • +0.3% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 28W instead of 45W, a 17W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 64EU, while Core i9-10885H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Core i9-10885H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i9-10885H

2020

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (14,448 vs 14,496).
    • 60.7% higher power demand at 45W vs 28W.
    • Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Core i3-1220P moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
    • No integrated graphics, while Core i3-1220P can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Core i3-1220P better than Core i9-10885H?
    It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-10885H is ahead with a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1220P pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1220P is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 12 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Core i3-1220P is the better buy right now. Core i3-1220P comes in at an unclear MSRP at $250 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-10885H is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (58.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Core i3-1220P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of BGA1440, and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

    Core i3-1220P vs Core i9-10885H Technical Specifications

    Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

    Intel

    Core i3-1220P

    The Core i3-1220P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 14,496 points. Launch price was $149.

    Intel

    Core i9-10885H

    The Core i9-10885H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,448 points. Launch price was $556.

    Processing Power

    The Core i3-1220P packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-10885H offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i3-1220P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-1220P versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-10885H — a 14.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-10885H (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i3-1220P uses the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-10885H uses Comet Lake-H (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1220P scores 14,496 against the Core i9-10885H's 14,448 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-1220P. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

    FeatureCore i3-1220PCore i9-10885H
    Cores / Threads
    10 / 12+25%
    8 / 16
    Boost Clock
    4.4 GHz
    5.1 GHz+16%
    Base Clock
    1.5 GHz
    2.4 GHz+60%
    L3 Cache
    12 MB (total)
    12 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    1.25 MB (per core)
    256K (per core)+20380%
    Process
    Intel 7 nm-50%
    14 nm
    Architecture
    Alder Lake-P (2022)
    Comet Lake-H (2020)
    PassMark
    14,496
    14,448
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    10,921
    Geekbench 6 Single
    1,971
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    8,056
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i3-1220P uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-10885H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCore i3-1220PCore i9-10885H
    Socket
    FCBGA1744
    BGA1440
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 5.0+67%
    PCIe 3.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR5-4800
    Max RAM Capacity
    64 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    ECC Support
    No
    PCIe Lanes
    20
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-1220P) / not specified (Core i9-10885H). The Core i3-1220P includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 64EU), while the Core i9-10885H requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1220P targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i3-1220P rivals Ryzen 3 5425U.

    FeatureCore i3-1220PCore i9-10885H
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    UHD Graphics 64EU
    Unlocked
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    VT-x, VT-d
    Target Use
    Workstation