Core i7-11800H vs Core i9-10900F

Intel

Core i7-11800H

8 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
Intel

Core i9-10900F

10 Cores20 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2020
Core family
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Core i7-11800H vs Core i9-10900F 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 i7-11800H vs Core i9-10900F 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 i7-11800H vs Core i9-10900F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-11800H

2021

Why buy it

  • +20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).
  • Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
  • 25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 750, while Core i9-10900F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10900F across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (12,180 vs 13,500).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-10900F.

Core i9-10900F

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +29.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-11800H.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $464 MSRP, while Core i7-11800H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i7-11800H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10900F better than Core i7-11800H?
Yes. Core i9-10900F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 29.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 10.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i9-10900F is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 29.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-10900F is the stronger fit. You are getting 10.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i9-10900F is the better buy right now. Core i9-10900F comes in at an unclear MSRP at $464 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 29.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (42.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-11800H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020) and 20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-11800H vs Core i9-10900F Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-11800H

The Core i7-11800H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,838 points. Launch price was $395.

Intel

Core i9-10900F

The Core i9-10900F 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 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 20 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: 19,800 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i7-11800H packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-10900F offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-10900F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-11800H versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-10900F — a 10.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900F (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-11800H uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core i9-10900F uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-11800H scores 19,838 against the Core i9-10900F's 19,800 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-11800H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 12,180 vs 13,500 (10.3% advantage for the Core i9-10900F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,896 vs 1,701, a 10.8% lead for the Core i7-11800H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,795 vs 8,456 (8.1% advantage for the Core i9-10900F). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-11800H vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900F.

FeatureCore i7-11800HCore i9-10900F
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz
5.1 GHz+11%
Base Clock
1.9 GHz
2.8 GHz+47%
L3 Cache
24 MB (total)+20%
20 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
256K (per core)+20380%
Process
10 nm SuperFin-29%
14 nm
Architecture
Tiger Lake-H (2021)
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark
19,838
19,800
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,180
13,500+11%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,896+11%
1,701
Geekbench 6 Multi
7,795
8,456+8%
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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-11800H uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-10900F uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i7-11800H versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10900F — the Core i7-11800H supports 9.1% 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. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-11800H) vs 16 (Core i9-10900F) — the Core i7-11800H offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: QM580,HM570,WM590 (Core i7-11800H) and B460,H470,Z490,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i9-10900F).

FeatureCore i7-11800HCore i9-10900F
Socket
FCBGA1787
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200+9%
DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20+25%
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i7-11800H supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i7-11800H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), while the Core i9-10900F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-11800H targets Gaming, Core i9-10900F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-11800H rivals Ryzen 7 5800H; Core i9-10900F rivals Ryzen 7 3800X.

FeatureCore i7-11800HCore i9-10900F
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 750
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Gaming
Gaming