Core i9-9900KS vs Core i9-10900

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 i9-9900KS vs Core i9-10900 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 i9-9900KS vs Core i9-10900: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-9900KS

2019

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).
❌
6.2% HIGHER MSRP
$513 MSRPvs$483 MSRP
❌95.4% higher power demand at 127W vs 65W.

Core i9-10900

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $30 less on MSRP ($483 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 127W, a 62W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,163 vs 19,397).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10900 better than Core i9-9900KS?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-10900 is ahead with a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-9900KS pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark. Core i9-10900 also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-9900KS is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i9-10900 is the better buy right now. Core i9-10900 comes in $30 cheaper on MSRP at $483 MSRP versus $513 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i9-9900KS is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.2% better PassMark. It is also 4.9% better value on MSRP (39.7 vs 37.8 PassMark/$), 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 i9-10900 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019) and 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-9900KS vs Core i9-10900 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-9900KS

The Core i9-9900KS is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 127 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,397 points. Launch price was $513.

Core i9-10900

The Core i9-10900 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 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 19,163 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-9900KS packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-10900 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-10900 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900KS versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-10900 — a 2% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900 (base: 4 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i9-9900KS uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-10900 uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900KS scores 19,397 against the Core i9-10900's 19,163 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i9-9900KS. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900KS vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900.

Feature	Core i9-9900KS	Core i9-10900
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock	5 GHz	5.1 GHz+2%
Base Clock	4 GHz+43%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	19,397+1%	19,163

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9900KS uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-10900 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-9900KS	Core i9-10900
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-9900KS was priced at $513, while the Core i9-10900 came in at $483. On launch pricing ($513 vs $483), Core i9-10900 was $30 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900KS delivers 37.8 pts/$ vs 39.7 pts/$ for the Core i9-10900 — making the Core i9-10900 the 4.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-9900KS	Core i9-10900
MSRP	$513	$483-6%
Performance per Dollar	37.8	39.7+5%
Release Date	2019	2020

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