Core i9-11900KF vs Core Ultra 7 155H

Intel

Core i9-11900KF

8 Cores16 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.2 GHz2021
Core family
·······
VS
Intel

Core Ultra 7 155H

16 Cores22 Thrd0 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2023
Core Ultra family
·······

Core i9-11900KF vs Core Ultra 7 155H Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 i9-11900KF vs Core Ultra 7 155H 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 i9-11900KF vs Core Ultra 7 155H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-11900KF

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,500 vs 17,650).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $513 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 155H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 155H moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 7 155H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core Ultra 7 155H

2023

Why buy it

  • +13.9% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
  • Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
  • 40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores), while Core i9-11900KF needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-11900KF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-11900KF better than Core Ultra 7 155H?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-11900KF is ahead with a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 7 155H pulls ahead with 13.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core Ultra 7 155H 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 Ultra 7 155H is the stronger fit. You are getting 13.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 22 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 i9-11900KF is the better buy right now. Core i9-11900KF comes in at an unclear MSRP at $513 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core Ultra 7 155H is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 13.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (47.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Ultra 7 155H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021), a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200, 50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 22 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-11900KF vs Core Ultra 7 155H Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i9-11900KF

The Core i9-11900KF 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 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 24,585 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Core Ultra 7 155H

The Core Ultra 7 155H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 22 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 24 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,705 points. Launch price was $503.

Processing Power

The Core i9-11900KF packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 155H offers 16 cores / 22 threads — the Core Ultra 7 155H has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-11900KF versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 155H — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900KF (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i9-11900KF uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 155H uses Meteor Lake-H (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-11900KF scores 24,585 against the Core Ultra 7 155H's 24,705 — a 0.5% lead for the Core Ultra 7 155H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 15,500 vs 17,650 (13% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 155H). L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900KF vs 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 155H.

FeatureCore i9-11900KFCore Ultra 7 155H
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
16 / 22+100%
Boost Clock
5.2 GHz+8%
4.8 GHz
Base Clock
3.5 GHz
3.8 GHz+9%
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)
24 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+12700%
2 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
7 nm-50%
Architecture
Rocket Lake (2021)
Meteor Lake-H (2023)
PassMark
24,585
24,705
Cinebench R23 Multi
15,500
17,650+14%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,384
Geekbench 6 Multi
12,433
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-11900KF uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 7 155H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-11900KF versus LPDDR5x-7467, DDR5-5600 on the Core Ultra 7 155H — the Core Ultra 7 155H supports 133.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-11900KF supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 96 GB 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-11900KF) vs 28 (Core Ultra 7 155H) — the Core Ultra 7 155H offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z590,B560 (Core i9-11900KF) and Meteor Lake SoC (Core Ultra 7 155H).

FeatureCore i9-11900KFCore Ultra 7 155H
Socket
LGA1200
FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
LPDDR5x-7467, DDR5-5600+133%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB+33%
96 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
20
28+40%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-11900KF has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i9-11900KF supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-11900KF) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core Ultra 7 155H). The Core Ultra 7 155H includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores)), while the Core i9-11900KF requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 7 155H targets Thin-and-light Performance / AI. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 155H rivals Ryzen 7 8840HS.

FeatureCore i9-11900KFCore Ultra 7 155H
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores)
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Thin-and-light Performance / AI