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 i7-11850H 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 i7-11850H 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 i7-11850H

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics, 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.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-10900F.

Core i9-10900F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-11850H.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,800 vs 19,873).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $464 MSRP, while Core i7-11850H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-11850H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-11850H better than Core i9-10900F?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-10900F is ahead with a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-11850H pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Core i7-11850H also has the bigger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-11850H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Core i7-11850H is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i9-10900F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-11850H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $464 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-10900F is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-10900F is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (42.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-11850H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020), 20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 10/20. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-11850H vs Core i9-10900F Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-11850H

The Core i7-11850H 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 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): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,873 points. Launch price was $299.

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 i7-11850H 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 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-11850H versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-10900F — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-11850H 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 i7-11850H scores 19,873 against the Core i9-10900F's 19,800 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-11850H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,911 vs 1,701, a 11.6% lead for the Core i7-11850H that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i7-11850H vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900F.

Feature	Core i7-11850H	Core i9-10900F
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz	5.1 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.8 GHz+12%
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	19,873	19,800
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	13,500
Geekbench 6 Single	1,911+12%	1,701
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,456

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-11850H 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 i7-11850H versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10900F — the Core i7-11850H 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 i7-11850H) vs 16 (Core i9-10900F) — the Core i7-11850H offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM570,QM580,WM590 (Core i7-11850H) and B460,H470,Z490,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i9-10900F).

Feature	Core i7-11850H	Core 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 i7-11850H supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-11850H) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-10900F). The Core i7-11850H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics), while the Core i9-10900F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-11850H targets Workstation Laptop, Core i9-10900F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-11850H rivals Ryzen 7 5800H; Core i9-10900F rivals Ryzen 7 3800X.