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 i9-10900F vs Core Ultra 7 268V 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 i9-10900F vs Core Ultra 7 268V: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-10900F

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core Ultra 7 268V.

Trade-offs

❌
3.1% HIGHER MSRP
$464 MSRPvs$450 MSRP
❌282.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 17W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 268V moves to FCBGA2833 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 7 268V can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core Ultra 7 268V

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $14 less on MSRP ($450 MSRP vs $464 MSRP).
✅Draws 17W instead of 65W, a 48W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2833 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Arc Graphics 140V, 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 (10,653 vs 13,500).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-10900F.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10900F better than Core Ultra 7 268V?

Yes. Core i9-10900F is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 26.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 0.5% higher PassMark, 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 14.2% 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 26.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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 i9-10900F is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i9-10900F comes in 3.1% more expensive on MSRP at $464 MSRP versus $450 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core Ultra 7 268V 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 14.2% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core Ultra 7 268V 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 i9-10900F vs Core Ultra 7 268V Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core Ultra 7 268V

The Core Ultra 7 268V 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 5 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: 19,698 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-10900F packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 268V offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i9-10900F has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-10900F versus 5 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 268V — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900F (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i9-10900F uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 268V uses Lunar Lake (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10900F scores 19,800 against the Core Ultra 7 268V's 19,698 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i9-10900F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 13,500 vs 10,653 (23.6% advantage for the Core i9-10900F). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,701 vs 2,437, a 35.6% lead for the Core Ultra 7 268V that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,456 vs 10,000 (16.7% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 268V). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900F vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 268V.

Feature	Core i9-10900F	Core Ultra 7 268V
Cores / Threads	10 / 20+25%	8 / 8
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+2%	5 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	19,800	19,698
Cinebench R23 Multi	13,500+27%	10,653
Geekbench 6 Single	1,701	2,437+43%
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,456	10,000+18%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10900F uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 7 268V uses FCBGA2833 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10900F versus LPDDR5x-8533 on the Core Ultra 7 268V — the Core Ultra 7 268V supports 190.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-10900F supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i9-10900F) vs 8 (Core Ultra 7 268V) — the Core i9-10900F offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B460,H470,Z490,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i9-10900F) and SoC (Core Ultra 7 268V).

Feature	Core i9-10900F	Core Ultra 7 268V
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA2833
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	LPDDR5x-8533+191%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+300%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+100%	8

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-10900F) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core Ultra 7 268V). The Core Ultra 7 268V includes integrated graphics (Arc Graphics 140V), while the Core i9-10900F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-10900F targets Gaming, Core Ultra 7 268V targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i9-10900F rivals Ryzen 7 3800X; Core Ultra 7 268V rivals Core Ultra 7 155H.

Feature	Core i9-10900F	Core Ultra 7 268V
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Arc Graphics 140V
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Gaming	Productivity

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-10900F was priced at $464, while the Core Ultra 7 268V came in at $450. On launch pricing ($464 vs $450), Core Ultra 7 268V was $14 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-10900F delivers 42.7 pts/$ vs 43.8 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 7 268V — making the Core Ultra 7 268V the 2.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-10900F	Core Ultra 7 268V
MSRP	$464	$450-3%
Performance per Dollar	42.7	43.8+3%
Release Date	2020	2024

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