Core i9-9900KS vs Core i9-10900E

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 i9-10900E 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 i9-10900E: 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

✅Better for gaming: +15.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).
❌
5.1% HIGHER MSRP
$513 MSRPvs$488 MSRP
❌95.4% higher power demand at 127W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-10900E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-10900E

2020

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $25 less on MSRP ($488 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 127W, a 62W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i9-9900KS needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900KS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,332 vs 19,397).

Quick Answers

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

Yes. Core i9-9900KS is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 15.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-9900KS is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.4% 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 i9-9900KS is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i9-9900KS is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i9-10900E is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-9900KS comes in 5.1% more expensive on MSRP at $513 MSRP versus $488 MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-10900E is also 4.8% better value on MSRP (39.6 vs 37.8 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i9-10900E can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i9-10900E 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 i9-10900E 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 i9-10900E

The Core i9-10900E 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 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,332 points. Launch price was $488.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-9900KS packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-10900E offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-10900E has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900KS versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i9-10900E — a 6.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900KS (base: 4 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i9-9900KS uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i9-10900E uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900KS scores 19,397 against the Core i9-10900E's 19,332 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i9-9900KS. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900KS vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900E.

Feature	Core i9-9900KS	Core i9-10900E
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+6%	4.7 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+43%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	19,397	19,332

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Memory & Platform

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

Feature	Core i9-9900KS	Core i9-10900E
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i9-9900KS) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-10900E). The Core i9-10900E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i9-9900KS requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i9-9900KS	Core i9-10900E
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-9900KS was priced at $513, while the Core i9-10900E came in at $488. On launch pricing ($513 vs $488), Core i9-10900E was $25 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900KS delivers 37.8 pts/$ vs 39.6 pts/$ for the Core i9-10900E — making the Core i9-10900E the 4.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-9900KS	Core i9-10900E
MSRP	$513	$488-5%
Performance per Dollar	37.8	39.6+5%
Release Date	2019	2020

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