Core i9-9900KS vs Core Ultra 7 256V

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 Ultra 7 256V 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 Ultra 7 256V: 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: +13.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,397 vs 19,579).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.8 vs 43.5 PassMark/$ ($513 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
❌647.1% higher power demand at 127W vs 17W.
❌Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 256V moves to FCBGA2833 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 7 256V can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core Ultra 7 256V

2024

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $63 less on MSRP ($450 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Delivers 15.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 43.5 vs 37.8 PassMark/$ ($450 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Draws 17W instead of 127W, a 110W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2833 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900KS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 256V better than Core i9-9900KS?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-9900KS is ahead with a 13.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 7 256V pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core i9-9900KS also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 7 256V is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core Ultra 7 256V is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 7 256V comes in $63 cheaper on MSRP at $450 MSRP versus $513 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-9900KS is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 13.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 15.1% better value on MSRP (43.5 vs 37.8 PassMark/$), 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 Ultra 7 256V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FCBGA2833 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-9900KS vs Core Ultra 7 256V 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 Ultra 7 256V

The Core Ultra 7 256V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 19,579 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-9900KS packs 8 cores / 16 threads, matching the Core Ultra 7 256V's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900KS versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 256V — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900KS (base: 4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i9-9900KS uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 256V uses Lunar Lake (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900KS scores 19,397 against the Core Ultra 7 256V's 19,579 — a 0.9% lead for the Core Ultra 7 256V. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900KS vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 256V.

Feature	Core i9-9900KS	Core Ultra 7 256V
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 8
Boost Clock	5 GHz+4%	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+82%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)+33%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2.5 MB (per core)+900%
Process	14 nm	3 nm-79%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Lunar Lake (2024)
PassMark	19,397	19,579
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	10,065
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,658
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	11,000

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9900KS uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 7 256V uses FCBGA2833 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-9900KS	Core Ultra 7 256V
Socket	LGA1151	FCBGA2833
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR5x 8533 MT/s
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	8

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i9-9900KS) / true (Core Ultra 7 256V). The Core Ultra 7 256V includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc Graphics 140V), while the Core i9-9900KS requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 7 256V targets Mobile.

Feature	Core i9-9900KS	Core Ultra 7 256V
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel Arc Graphics 140V
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true
Target Use	—	Mobile

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-9900KS was priced at $513, while the Core Ultra 7 256V came in at $450. On launch pricing ($513 vs $450), Core Ultra 7 256V was $63 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900KS delivers 37.8 pts/$ vs 43.5 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 7 256V — making the Core Ultra 7 256V the 14% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-9900KS	Core Ultra 7 256V
MSRP	$513	$450-12%
Performance per Dollar	37.8	43.5+15%
Release Date	2019	2024

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