Intel Core i9-10900X vs Intel Core i9-9960X

Comparative analysis of Intel Core i9-10900X and Intel Core i9-9960X processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Compatibility, Peripherals, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core, PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score.

Intel Core i9-10900X

Intel Core i9-9960X

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i9-10900X

Around 2% higher clock speed: 4.50 GHz vs 4.40 GHz
Around 11% higher maximum core temperature: 94°C vs 85°C
2x more maximum memory size: 256 GB vs 128 GB
Around 1% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Single Core: 1170 vs 1158
Around 3% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 2683 vs 2615

Specifications (specs)
Maximum frequency	4.50 GHz vs 4.40 GHz
Maximum core temperature	94°C vs 85°C
Maximum memory size	256 GB vs 128 GB
Benchmarks
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	1170 vs 1158
PassMark - Single thread mark	2683 vs 2615

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i9-9960X

Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
6 more cores, run more applications at once: 16 vs 10
12 more threads: 32 vs 20
Around 60% more L1 cache; more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
Around 60% more L2 cache; more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
Around 14% more L3 cache; more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
Around 38% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core: 14294 vs 10361
Around 36% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 30580 vs 22518
Around 77% better performance in 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score: 13076 vs 7406

Specifications (specs)
Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
Number of cores	16 vs 10
Number of threads	32 vs 20
L1 cache	64K (per core) vs 640 KB
L2 cache	1 MB (per core) vs 10 MB
L3 cache	22 MB (shared) vs 19.25 MB
Benchmarks
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	14294 vs 10361
PassMark - CPU mark	30580 vs 22518
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	13076 vs 7406

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core i9-10900X
CPU 2: Intel Core i9-9960X

Geekbench 4 - Single Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

1170

1158

Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

10361

14294

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

2683

2615

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

22518

30580

3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score

CPU 1

CPU 2

7406

13076

Name	Intel Core i9-10900X	Intel Core i9-9960X
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	1170	1158
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	10361	14294
PassMark - Single thread mark	2683	2615
PassMark - CPU mark	22518	30580
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	7406	13076

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core i9-10900X	Intel Core i9-9960X
Essentials
Architecture codename	Cascade Lake	Skylake
Launch date	Q4'19	October 2018
Launch price (MSRP)	$590, $599
Place in performance rating	889	620
Processor Number	i9-10900X	i9-9960X
Series	Intel Core X-series Processors	Intel® Core™ X-series Processors
Status	Launched	Launched
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Performance
Base frequency	3.70 GHz	3.10 GHz
L1 cache	640 KB	64K (per core)
L2 cache	10 MB	1 MB (per core)
L3 cache	19.25 MB	22 MB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology	14 nm	14 nm
Maximum core temperature	94°C	85°C
Maximum frequency	4.50 GHz	4.40 GHz
Number of cores	10	16
Number of threads	20	32
64 bit support
Bus Speed		8 GT/s DMI3
Number of QPI Links		0
Unlocked
Memory
Max memory channels	4	4
Maximum memory size	256 GB	128 GB
Supported memory types	DDR4-2933	DDR4-2666
Compatibility
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Sockets supported	FCLGA2066	FCLGA2066
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	165 Watt	165 Watt
Thermal Solution	PCG 2017X	PCG 2017X
Peripherals
Max number of PCIe lanes	48	44
PCI Express revision	3.0	3.0
Scalability	1S Only	1S Only
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Instruction set extensions	Intel SSE4.1, Intel SSE4.2, Intel AVX2, Intel AVX-512	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
Intel 64
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Optane™ Memory Supported
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Number of AVX-512 FMA Units	2	2
Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX)
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)