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 i7-10700F 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 i7-10700F 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 i7-10700F

2020

Why buy it

✅+57.5% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Costs $113 less on MSRP ($310 MSRP vs $423 MSRP).
✅Delivers 35.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 52.1 vs 38.4 PassMark/$ ($310 MSRP vs $423 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-9900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-9900

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-10700F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (7,619 vs 12,000).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 38.4 vs 52.1 PassMark/$ ($423 MSRP vs $310 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10700F better than Core i9-9900?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-9900 is ahead with a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-10700F pulls ahead with 57.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-10700F is the stronger fit. You are getting 57.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i7-10700F is the better buy right now. Core i7-10700F comes in $113 cheaper on MSRP at $310 MSRP versus $423 MSRP, and it still gives you 57.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Core i9-9900 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 35.6% better value on MSRP (52.1 vs 38.4 PassMark/$), 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 i7-10700F makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-10700F vs Core i9-9900 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-10700F

The Core i7-10700F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 16,139 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.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-10700F and Core i9-9900 share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-10700F versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900 — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-10700F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-9900 uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-10700F scores 16,139 against the Core i9-9900's 16,238 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i9-9900. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,000 vs 7,619 (44.7% advantage for the Core i7-10700F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,250 vs 1,637, a 26.8% lead for the Core i9-9900 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,800 vs 7,619 (2.3% advantage for the Core i7-10700F). Both processors carry 16 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-10700F	Core i9-9900
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	5 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.1 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	16,139	16,238
Cinebench R23 Multi	12,000+58%	7,619
Geekbench 6 Single	1,250	1,637+31%
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,800+2%	7,619

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-10700F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-9900 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i7-10700F versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-9900 — the Core i7-10700F supports 10% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H410,B460,H470,Z490,Z590 (Core i7-10700F) and Z390,B365 (Core i9-9900).

Feature	Core i7-10700F	Core i9-9900
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933+10%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-10700F) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9900). The Core i9-9900 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-10700F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-10700F targets Gaming/Content Creation. Direct competitor: Core i7-10700F rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i7-10700F	Core i9-9900
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	None	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming/Content Creation	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-10700F was priced at $310, while the Core i9-9900 came in at $423. On launch pricing ($310 vs $423), Core i7-10700F was $113 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-10700F delivers 52.1 pts/$ vs 38.4 pts/$ for the Core i9-9900 — making the Core i7-10700F the 30.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-10700F	Core i9-9900
MSRP	$310-27%	$423
Performance per Dollar	52.1+36%	38.4
Release Date	2020	2019

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