Core i9-11900 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 i9-11900 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 i9-11900 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 i9-11900

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $100 less on MSRP ($439 MSRP vs $539 MSRP).
✅Delivers 21.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 51.1 vs 42.1 PassMark/$ ($439 MSRP vs $539 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,422 vs 22,693).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-11900KB can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-11900KB

2021

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics, while Core i9-11900 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-11900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.1 vs 51.1 PassMark/$ ($539 MSRP vs $439 MSRP).

Quick Answers

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

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-11900 is ahead with a 10.4% 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 1.2% better PassMark. Core i9-11900KB also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 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 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Core i9-11900KB is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i9-11900 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-11900KB comes in 22.8% more expensive on MSRP at $539 MSRP versus $439 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-11900 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 10.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-11900 is also 21.3% better value on MSRP (51.1 vs 42.1 PassMark/$), 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 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-11900 vs Core i9-11900KB Technical Specifications

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

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.

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

Both the Core i9-11900 and Core i9-11900KB share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-11900 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i9-11900KB — a 4% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i9-11900 uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-11900KB uses Tiger Lake-H (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i9-11900 scores 22,422 against the Core i9-11900KB's 22,693 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i9-11900KB. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900 vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900KB.

Feature	Core i9-11900	Core i9-11900KB
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+4%	4.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.3 GHz+32%
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	24 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+20380%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	10 nm SuperFin-29%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Tiger Lake-H (2021)
PassMark	22,422	22,693+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	12,264
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	10,645

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-11900 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-11900KB uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-11900	Core i9-11900KB
Socket	LGA1200	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 i9-11900) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-11900KB). The Core i9-11900KB includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics), while the Core i9-11900 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i9-11900	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 i9-11900 was priced at $439, while the Core i9-11900KB came in at $539. On launch pricing ($439 vs $539), Core i9-11900 was $100 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-11900 delivers 51.1 pts/$ vs 42.1 pts/$ for the Core i9-11900KB — making the Core i9-11900 the 19.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-11900	Core i9-11900KB
MSRP	$439-19%	$539
Performance per Dollar	51.1+21%	42.1
Release Date	2021	2021

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