Core i9-10900X vs Core i9-11900KB

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 i9-10900X 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 i9-10900X 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 i9-10900X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,377 vs 22,693).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.9 vs 42.1 PassMark/$ ($590 MSRP vs $539 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-11900KB can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-11900KB

2021

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅+24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 MB).
✅Costs $51 less on MSRP ($539 MSRP vs $590 MSRP).
✅Delivers 11.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 42.1 vs 37.9 PassMark/$ ($539 MSRP vs $590 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

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

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-10900X is ahead with a 7.7% 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 24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 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 24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 MB).

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

Core i9-11900KB is the better buy right now. Core i9-11900KB comes in $51 cheaper on MSRP at $539 MSRP versus $590 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-10900X is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 11.0% better value on MSRP (42.1 vs 37.9 PassMark/$), 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 i9-11900KB makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019), 24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 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 i9-10900X vs Core i9-11900KB Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-10900X

The Core i9-10900X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake-X (2019) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 22,377 points. Launch price was $299.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-10900X packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i9-11900KB offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-10900X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i9-10900X versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i9-11900KB — a 4.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900KB (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i9-10900X uses the Cascade Lake-X (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-11900KB uses Tiger Lake-H (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i9-10900X scores 22,377 against the Core i9-11900KB's 22,693 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i9-11900KB. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900X vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900KB.

Feature	Core i9-10900X	Core i9-11900KB
Cores / Threads	10 / 20+25%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz	4.9 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+12%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	19.25 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+25%
Process	14 nm	10 nm SuperFin-29%
Architecture	Cascade Lake-X (2019)	Tiger Lake-H (2021)
PassMark	22,377	22,693+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,264
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	10,645

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10900X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-11900KB uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-10900X	Core i9-11900KB
Socket	LGA2066	FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	20

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i9-10900X) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-11900KB). The Core i9-11900KB includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics), while the Core i9-10900X requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i9-10900X	Core i9-11900KB
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-10900X was priced at $590, while the Core i9-11900KB came in at $539. On launch pricing ($590 vs $539), Core i9-11900KB was $51 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-10900X delivers 37.9 pts/$ vs 42.1 pts/$ for the Core i9-11900KB — making the Core i9-11900KB the 10.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-10900X	Core i9-11900KB
MSRP	$590	$539-9%
Performance per Dollar	37.9	42.1+11%
Release Date	2019	2021

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