Core i9-9900T vs Core Ultra 5 134U

Intel

Core i9-9900T

8 Cores16 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core Ultra 5 134U

12 Cores14 Thrd0 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2023
Core Ultra family
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Core i9-9900T vs Core Ultra 5 134U 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 i9-9900T vs Core Ultra 5 134U 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 i9-9900T vs Core Ultra 5 134U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-9900T

2019

Why buy it

  • +0.3% higher PassMark.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $423 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 134U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • Older platform position on LGA1151 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 134U moves to FCBGA2551 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 5 134U

2023

Why buy it

  • Newer platform on FCBGA2551 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1151 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (13,169 vs 13,208).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9900T better than Core Ultra 5 134U?
Yes. Core i9-9900T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.3% 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?
For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-9900T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i9-9900T is the better buy right now. Core i9-9900T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $423 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (31.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 5 134U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2551 and DDR5 instead of LGA1151. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-9900T vs Core Ultra 5 134U Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i9-9900T

The Core i9-9900T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,208 points. Launch price was $439.

Intel

Core Ultra 5 134U

The Core Ultra 5 134U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 0.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2551. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 13,169 points. Launch price was $332.

Processing Power

The Core i9-9900T packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 134U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 5 134U has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-9900T versus 4.4 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 134U — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.1 GHz vs 0.7 GHz). The Core i9-9900T uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 134U uses Meteor Lake-U (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900T scores 13,208 against the Core Ultra 5 134U's 13,169 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i9-9900T. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900T vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 134U.

FeatureCore i9-9900TCore Ultra 5 134U
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
12 / 14+50%
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
4.4 GHz
Base Clock
2.1 GHz+200%
0.7 GHz
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)+33%
12 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+12700%
2 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
7 nm-50%
Architecture
Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
Meteor Lake-U (2023)
PassMark
13,208
13,169
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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9900T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 5 134U uses FCBGA2551 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i9-9900TCore Ultra 5 134U
Socket
LGA1151
FCBGA2551
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%