Core i9-10900 vs Core Ultra 7 258V

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 i9-10900 vs Core Ultra 7 258V 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 i9-10900 vs Core Ultra 7 258V: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-10900

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +20.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌
7.3% HIGHER MSRP
$483 MSRPvs$450 MSRP
❌282.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 17W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 258V moves to FCBGA2833 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 7 258V can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core Ultra 7 258V

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $33 less on MSRP ($450 MSRP vs $483 MSRP).
✅Draws 17W instead of 65W, a 48W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2833 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Arc 140V, while Core i9-10900 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (18,947 vs 19,163).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10900 better than Core Ultra 7 258V?

Yes. Core i9-10900 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 20.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-10900 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 20.4% 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 i9-10900 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i9-10900 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i9-10900 comes in 7.3% more expensive on MSRP at $483 MSRP versus $450 MSRP, and it still gives you a 20.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 7 258V only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 20.4% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core Ultra 7 258V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2833 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-10900 vs Core Ultra 7 258V Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-10900

The Core i9-10900 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: 19,163 points. Launch price was $299.

Core Ultra 7 258V

The Core Ultra 7 258V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,947 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-10900 packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 258V offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i9-10900 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-10900 versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 258V — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i9-10900 uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 258V uses Lunar Lake (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10900 scores 19,163 against the Core Ultra 7 258V's 18,947 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i9-10900. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 258V.

Feature	Core i9-10900	Core Ultra 7 258V
Cores / Threads	10 / 20+25%	8 / 8
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+6%	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+27%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+67%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+10140%	2.5 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	3 nm-79%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Lunar Lake (2024)
PassMark	19,163+1%	18,947
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	10,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,750
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	11,000

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10900 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 7 258V uses FCBGA2833 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-10900	Core Ultra 7 258V
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA2833
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR5X-8533
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	8

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i9-10900) / VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 258V). The Core Ultra 7 258V includes integrated graphics (Arc 140V), while the Core i9-10900 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 7 258V targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 258V rivals Ryzen 7 8840U.

Feature	Core i9-10900	Core Ultra 7 258V
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Arc 140V
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-10900 was priced at $483, while the Core Ultra 7 258V came in at $450. On launch pricing ($483 vs $450), Core Ultra 7 258V was $33 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-10900 delivers 39.7 pts/$ vs 42.1 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 7 258V — making the Core Ultra 7 258V the 5.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-10900	Core Ultra 7 258V
MSRP	$483	$450-7%
Performance per Dollar	39.7	42.1+6%
Release Date	2020	2024

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