Core i9-11900 vs Core i9-11980HK

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 i9-11980HK 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 i9-11900 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 i9-11900

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $439 MSRP, while Core i9-11980HK mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-11980HK can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-11980HK.

Core i9-11980HK

2021

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 32EUs, while Core i9-11900 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Core i9-11900.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-11900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (22,244 vs 22,422).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-11900 better than Core i9-11980HK?

Yes. Core i9-11900 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-11900 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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 0.8% 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 at an unclear MSRP at $439 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (51.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 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 i9-11980HK 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 i9-11980HK

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

Both the Core i9-11900 and Core i9-11980HK share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-11900 versus 5 GHz on the Core i9-11980HK — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i9-11900 uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-11980HK uses Tiger Lake-HK (2021) (10 nm SuperFin). In PassMark, the Core i9-11900 scores 22,422 against the Core i9-11980HK's 22,244 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i9-11900. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900 vs 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11980HK.

Feature	Core i9-11900	Core i9-11980HK
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+2%	5 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.6 GHz+4%
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-HK (2021)
PassMark	22,422	22,244
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	14,029
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,129
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	9,766

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-11900 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i9-11980HK uses FCBGA1787 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-11900	Core i9-11980HK
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA1787
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
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, EPT (Core i9-11980HK). The Core i9-11980HK includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 32EUs), while the Core i9-11900 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-11980HK targets Enthusiast Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i9-11980HK rivals Ryzen 9 5900HX.