Core i9-10900KF vs Core i9-11900

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

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

Core i9-10900KF

2020

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,231 vs 22,422).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 43.7 vs 51.1 PassMark/$ ($509 MSRP vs $439 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Core i9-11900

2021

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $70 less on MSRP ($439 MSRP vs $509 MSRP).
✅Delivers 16.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 51.1 vs 43.7 PassMark/$ ($439 MSRP vs $509 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-11900 better than Core i9-10900KF?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-10900KF is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-11900 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core i9-10900KF also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-11900 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i9-11900 is the better buy right now. Core i9-11900 comes in $70 cheaper on MSRP at $439 MSRP versus $509 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-10900KF is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 16.9% better value on MSRP (51.1 vs 43.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i9-11900 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020) 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 i9-10900KF vs Core i9-11900 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-10900KF

The Core i9-10900KF 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: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 22,231 points. Launch price was $509.

Core i9-11900

The Core i9-11900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 22,422 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-10900KF packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-11900 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-10900KF has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-10900KF versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-11900 — a 1.9% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900KF (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i9-10900KF uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-11900 uses Rocket Lake (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10900KF scores 22,231 against the Core i9-11900's 22,422 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i9-11900. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900KF vs 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900.

Feature	Core i9-10900KF	Core i9-11900
Cores / Threads	10 / 20+25%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz+2%	5.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+48%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+25%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Rocket Lake (2021)
PassMark	22,231	22,422
Geekbench 6 Single	1,767	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,261	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1200 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i9-10900KF	Core i9-11900
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-10900KF) / not specified (Core i9-11900).

Feature	Core i9-10900KF	Core i9-11900
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-10900KF was priced at $509, while the Core i9-11900 came in at $439. On launch pricing ($509 vs $439), Core i9-11900 was $70 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-10900KF delivers 43.7 pts/$ vs 51.1 pts/$ for the Core i9-11900 — making the Core i9-11900 the 15.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-10900KF	Core i9-11900
MSRP	$509	$439-14%
Performance per Dollar	43.7	51.1+17%
Release Date	2020	2021

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