Core i7-9850HE vs Ryzen Z2

Core i7-9850HE vs Ryzen Z2 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-9850HE

6 / 12

9,972

0.0%

10,106

+1.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX

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 i7-9850HE vs Ryzen Z2 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 i7-9850HE vs Ryzen Z2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-9850HE

2019

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen Z2 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Z2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,972 vs 10,106).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 16 MB).
❌462.5% higher power demand at 45W vs 8W.
❌Older platform position on BGA1440 with DDR4, while Ryzen Z2 moves to FP7/FP7r2/FP8 and DDR5.

Ryzen Z2

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+77.8% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 9 MB).
✅Draws 8W instead of 45W, a 37W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FP7/FP7r2/FP8 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1440 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9850HE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen Z2 better than Core i7-9850HE?

Yes. Ryzen Z2 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 15.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen Z2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.8% 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, Ryzen Z2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 77.8% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 9 MB).

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

Ryzen Z2 still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen Z2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Ryzen Z2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FP7/FP7r2/FP8 and DDR5 instead of BGA1440, 77.8% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 9 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-9850HE vs Ryzen Z2 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-9850HE

The Core i7-9850HE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,972 points. Launch price was $149.

Ryzen Z2

The Ryzen Z2 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP7/FP7r2/FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 8 MB + 16 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 10,106 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-9850HE packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen Z2 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen Z2 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-9850HE versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen Z2 — a 14.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen Z2 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-9850HE uses the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen Z2 uses Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9850HE scores 9,972 against the Ryzen Z2's 10,106 — a 1.3% lead for the Ryzen Z2. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i7-9850HE vs 16 MB on the Ryzen Z2.

Feature	Core i7-9850HE	Ryzen Z2
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5.1 GHz+16%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.3 GHz+22%
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	16 MB+78%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+3100%	8 MB
Process	14 nm	4 nm-71%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-HR (2019)	Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025)
PassMark	9,972	10,106+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,329	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,990	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9850HE uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen Z2 uses FP7/FP7r2/FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-9850HE	Ryzen Z2
Socket	BGA1440	FP7/FP7r2/FP8
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4 2666 MHz	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-9850HE) / not specified (Ryzen Z2). The Core i7-9850HE includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen Z2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9850HE targets Embedded.