Ryzen 9 5900HX vs Core i9-10900KF
Ryzen 9 5900HX
Core i9-10900KF
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 9 5900HX
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-10900KF
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 9 5900HX | Core i9-10900KF |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($336) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Cezanne-H (Zen 3) (2021) / 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 9 5900HX | Core i9-10900KF |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($336) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen 9 5900HX and Core i9-10900KF
Ryzen 9 5900HX
The Ryzen 9 5900HX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 January 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne-H (Zen 3) (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,198 points. Launch price was $299.
Core i9-10900KF
The Core i9-10900KF 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 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 22,231 points. Launch price was $509.
Processing Power
The Ryzen 9 5900HX packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-10900KF offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Core i9-10900KF has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900HX versus 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-10900KF — a 12.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900KF (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Ryzen 9 5900HX uses the Cezanne-H (Zen 3) (2021) architecture (7 nm), while the Core i9-10900KF uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 9 5900HX scores 22,198 against the Core i9-10900KF's 22,231 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i9-10900KF. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,845 vs 1,767, a 4.3% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,587 vs 9,261 (19.9% advantage for the Core i9-10900KF). L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 5900HX vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900KF.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 5900HX | Core i9-10900KF |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16 | 10 / 20+25% |
| Boost Clock | 4.6 GHz | 5.2 GHz+13% |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz | 3.7 GHz+12% |
| L3 Cache | 16 MB (total) | 20 MB (total)+25% |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core)+100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 7 nm-50% | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Cezanne-H (Zen 3) (2021) | Comet Lake (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 22,198 | 22,231 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 13,955 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,845+4% | 1,767 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 7,587 | 9,261+22% |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 9 5900HX uses the FP6 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i9-10900KF uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-4266 memory speed. The Core i9-10900KF supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: FP6 (Ryzen 9 5900HX) and LGA1200 (Core i9-10900KF).
| Feature | Ryzen 9 5900HX | Core i9-10900KF |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FP6 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+33% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-4266 | DDR4-2933 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900HX) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-10900KF). The Ryzen 9 5900HX includes integrated graphics (Radeon RX Vega 8), while the Core i9-10900KF requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900HX targets Gaming Laptop / Mobile Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 5900HX rivals Core i9-11980HK.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 5900HX | Core i9-10900KF |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Radeon RX Vega 8 | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Gaming Laptop / Mobile Workstation | — |
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