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 i9-11980HK 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 i9-11980HK: 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

✅Better for gaming: +11.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (9,261 vs 9,766).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $509 MSRP, while Core i9-11980HK mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌177.8% higher power demand at 125W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-11980HK can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-11980HK

2021

Why buy it

✅+5.5% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 125W, a 80W reduction.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 32EUs, while Core i9-10900KF needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10900KF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-11980HK better than Core i9-10900KF?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-10900KF is ahead with a 11.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-11980HK pulls ahead with 5.5% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i9-11980HK 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 i9-11980HK is the stronger fit. You are getting 5.5% better Geekbench multi-core, 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 i9-11980HK is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i9-10900KF is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-11980HK comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $509 MSRP, and it still gives you 5.5% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Core i9-10900KF is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 11.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-10900KF is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (43.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i9-11980HK 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 i9-10900KF vs Core i9-11980HK 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 i9-11980HK

The Core i9-11980HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-HK (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 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): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,244 points. Launch price was $583.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-10900KF packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-11980HK 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 GHz on the Core i9-11980HK — a 3.9% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900KF (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i9-10900KF uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-11980HK uses Tiger Lake-HK (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i9-10900KF scores 22,231 against the Core i9-11980HK's 22,244 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i9-11980HK. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,767 vs 2,129, a 18.6% lead for the Core i9-11980HK that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,261 vs 9,766 (5.3% advantage for the Core i9-11980HK). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900KF vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11980HK.

Feature	Core i9-10900KF	Core i9-11980HK
Cores / Threads	10 / 20+25%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz+4%	5 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+42%	2.6 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-HK (2021)
PassMark	22,231	22,244
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	14,029
Geekbench 6 Single	1,767	2,129+20%
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,261	9,766+5%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10900KF uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-11980HK uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10900KF versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-11980HK — the Core i9-11980HK 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 i9-10900KF) vs 20 (Core i9-11980HK) — the Core i9-11980HK offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA1200 (Core i9-10900KF) and HM570,WM590 (Core i9-11980HK).

Feature	Core i9-10900KF	Core i9-11980HK
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
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%

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-11980HK supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-10900KF) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i9-11980HK). The Core i9-11980HK includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 32EUs), while the Core i9-10900KF requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-11980HK targets Enthusiast Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i9-11980HK rivals Ryzen 9 5900HX.

Feature	Core i9-10900KF	Core i9-11980HK
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 32EUs
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Enthusiast Gaming Laptop