Core i7-1260U vs Core i9-9880H

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 i7-1260U vs Core i9-9880H 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 i7-1260U vs Core i9-9880H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-1260U

2022

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 10W instead of 45W, a 36W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1781 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (14 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics (96 EU), while Core i9-9880H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).

Core i9-9880H

2019

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,531 vs 13,614).
❌373.7% higher power demand at 45W vs 9.5W.
❌Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Core i7-1260U moves to FCBGA1781 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-1260U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1260U better than Core i9-9880H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-9880H 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 i7-1260U pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core i9-9880H 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 i7-1260U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i7-1260U still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-1260U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark.

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

Core i7-1260U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FCBGA1781 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 i7-1260U vs Core i9-9880H Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-1260U

The Core i7-1260U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 9.5 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 13,614 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i9-9880H

The Core i9-9880H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 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: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,531 points. Launch price was $556.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-1260U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i9-9880H offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-1260U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-1260U versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-9880H — a 2.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-9880H (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i7-1260U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-9880H uses Coffee Lake-HR (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-1260U scores 13,614 against the Core i9-9880H's 13,531 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-1260U. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-1260U vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9880H.

Feature	Core i7-1260U	Core i9-9880H
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+25%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz	4.8 GHz+2%
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.3 GHz+109%
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-U (2022)	Coffee Lake-HR (2019)
PassMark	13,614	13,531
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,381	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,294	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,140	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-1260U uses the FCBGA1781 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-9880H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-1260U	Core i9-9880H
Socket	FCBGA1781	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	14	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-1260U) / not specified (Core i9-9880H). The Core i7-1260U includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics (96 EU)), while the Core i9-9880H requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-1260U targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i7-1260U rivals Core i7-1165G7.