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 i9-10900K vs Core i9-11900KB 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 i9-10900K vs Core i9-11900KB: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-10900K

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $40 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $539 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,382 vs 22,693).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Core i9-11900KB

2021

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
8% HIGHER MSRP
$539 MSRPvs$499 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-11900KB better than Core i9-10900K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-10900K is ahead with a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-11900KB pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark. Core i9-11900KB 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 i9-11900KB is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% 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 i9-11900KB is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i9-10900K is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-11900KB comes in 8.0% more expensive on MSRP at $539 MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-10900K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-10900K is also 6.5% better value on MSRP (44.9 vs 42.1 PassMark/$), 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 i9-11900KB 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 i9-10900K vs Core i9-11900KB Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-10900K

The Core i9-10900K 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 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,382 points. Launch price was $488.

Core i9-11900KB

The Core i9-11900KB is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Maio 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 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): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,693 points. Launch price was $539.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-10900K packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-11900KB offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-10900K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-10900K versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i9-11900KB — a 5.9% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900K (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i9-10900K uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-11900KB uses Tiger Lake-H (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i9-10900K scores 22,382 against the Core i9-11900KB's 22,693 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i9-11900KB. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900K vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900KB.

Feature	Core i9-10900K	Core i9-11900KB
Cores / Threads	10 / 20+25%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz+6%	4.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+12%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process	14 nm	10 nm SuperFin-29%
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Tiger Lake-H (2021)
PassMark	22,382	22,693+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,264
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	10,645

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10900K uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-11900KB uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10900K versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-11900KB — the Core i9-11900KB 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: 16 (Core i9-10900K) vs 20 (Core i9-11900KB) — the Core i9-11900KB offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 400 series (Core i9-10900K) and Mobile (Core i9-11900KB).

Feature	Core i9-10900K	Core i9-11900KB
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	DDR4-3200+9%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-11900KB supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i9-10900K) and Intel UHD Graphics (Core i9-11900KB) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-10900K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i9-10900K	Core i9-11900KB
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	Intel UHD Graphics
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-10900K was priced at $499, while the Core i9-11900KB came in at $539. On launch pricing ($499 vs $539), Core i9-10900K was $40 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-10900K delivers 44.9 pts/$ vs 42.1 pts/$ for the Core i9-11900KB — making the Core i9-10900K the 6.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-10900K	Core i9-11900KB
MSRP	$499-7%	$539
Performance per Dollar	44.9+7%	42.1
Release Date	2020	2021

Search Core i9-10900K on Amazon

Search Core i9-11900KB on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.