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 i5-1240P vs Core i9-9900 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 i5-1240P vs Core i9-9900: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1240P

2022

Why buy it

✅+47.9% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Costs $114 less on MSRP ($309 MSRP vs $423 MSRP).
✅Delivers 36.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 52.5 vs 38.4 PassMark/$ ($309 MSRP vs $423 MSRP).
✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-9900.

Core i9-9900

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-1240P.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (7,619 vs 11,268).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 38.4 vs 52.5 PassMark/$ ($423 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).
❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core i5-1240P moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1240P better than Core i9-9900?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-9900 is ahead with a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1240P pulls ahead with 47.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i9-9900 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1240P is the stronger fit. You are getting 47.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 16 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-1240P is the better buy right now. Core i5-1240P comes in $114 cheaper on MSRP at $309 MSRP versus $423 MSRP, and it still gives you 47.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Core i9-9900 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 19.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 36.8% better value on MSRP (52.5 vs 38.4 PassMark/$), 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 i5-1240P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-1240P vs Core i9-9900 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-1240P

The Core i5-1240P 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 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 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: 16,224 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i9-9900

The Core i9-9900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 16,238 points. Launch price was $439.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-1240P packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-9900 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-1240P has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1240P versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900 — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900 (base: 1.7 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-1240P uses the Alder Lake-P (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-9900 uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1240P scores 16,224 against the Core i9-9900's 16,238 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i9-9900. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 11,268 vs 7,619 (38.6% advantage for the Core i5-1240P). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,102 vs 1,637, a 24.9% lead for the Core i5-1240P that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,577 vs 7,619 (0.6% advantage for the Core i9-9900). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-1240P vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900.

Feature	Core i5-1240P	Core i9-9900
Cores / Threads	12 / 16+50%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5 GHz+14%
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	3.1 GHz+82%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-P (2022)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	16,224	16,238
Cinebench R23 Multi	11,268+48%	7,619
Geekbench 6 Single	2,102+28%	1,637
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,577	7,619

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1240P uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-9900 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-1240P versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-9900 — the Core i5-1240P supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-9900 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-1240P) vs 16 (Core i9-9900) — the Core i5-1240P offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Alder Lake-P (Core i5-1240P) and Z390,B365 (Core i9-9900).

Feature	Core i5-1240P	Core i9-9900
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+80%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Iris Xe Graphics (Core i5-1240P) and UHD Graphics 630 (Core i9-9900) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1240P targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-1240P rivals Ryzen 5 6600U.

Feature	Core i5-1240P	Core i9-9900
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Xe Graphics	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-1240P was priced at $309, while the Core i9-9900 came in at $423. On launch pricing ($309 vs $423), Core i5-1240P was $114 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-1240P delivers 52.5 pts/$ vs 38.4 pts/$ for the Core i9-9900 — making the Core i5-1240P the 31.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-1240P	Core i9-9900
MSRP	$309-27%	$423
Performance per Dollar	52.5+37%	38.4
Release Date	2022	2019

Search Core i5-1240P on Amazon

Search Core i9-9900 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.