Intel Core i9-9900KS vs Intel Core i9-9900X

Comparative analysis of Intel Core i9-9900KS and Intel Core i9-9900X processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Graphics, Graphics interfaces, Graphics image quality, Graphics API support, Compatibility, Peripherals, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core, 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score.

Intel Core i9-9900KS

Intel Core i9-9900X

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i9-9900KS

CPU is newer: launch date 1 year(s) 1 month(s) later
Around 14% higher clock speed: 5.00 GHz vs 4.40 GHz
Around 9% higher maximum core temperature: 100°C vs 92°C
Around 30% lower typical power consumption: 127 Watt vs 165 Watt
Around 19% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 3035 vs 2559
Around 24% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Single Core: 1408 vs 1136

Specifications (specs)
Launch date	Nov 2019 vs October 2018
Maximum frequency	5.00 GHz vs 4.40 GHz
Maximum core temperature	100°C vs 92°C
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	127 Watt vs 165 Watt
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	3035 vs 2559
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	1408 vs 1136

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i9-9900X

Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
2 more cores, run more applications at once: 10 vs 8
4 more threads: 20 vs 16
Around 25% more L1 cache; more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
5x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
Around 20% more L3 cache; more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
Around 12% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 21815 vs 19461
Around 11% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core: 10446 vs 9451
Around 41% better performance in 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score: 10364 vs 7373

Specifications (specs)
Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
Number of cores	10 vs 8
Number of threads	20 vs 16
L1 cache	64K (per core) vs 512 KB
L2 cache	1 MB (per core) vs 2 MB
L3 cache	19.25 MB (shared) vs 16 MB
Benchmarks
PassMark - CPU mark	21815 vs 19461
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	10446 vs 9451
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	10364 vs 7373

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core i9-9900KS
CPU 2: Intel Core i9-9900X

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

3035

2559

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

19461

21815

Geekbench 4 - Single Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

1408

1136

Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

9451

10446

3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score

CPU 1

CPU 2

7373

10364

Name	Intel Core i9-9900KS	Intel Core i9-9900X
PassMark - Single thread mark	3035	2559
PassMark - CPU mark	19461	21815
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	1408	1136
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	9451	10446
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	7373	10364

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core i9-9900KS	Intel Core i9-9900X
Essentials
Architecture codename	Coffee Lake	Skylake
Launch date	Nov 2019	October 2018
Launch price (MSRP)	$513 - $524
Place in performance rating	827	819
Processor Number	i9-9900KS	i9-9900X
Series	9th Generation Intel Core i9 Processors	Intel® Core™ X-series Processors
Status	Launched	Launched
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Performance
64 bit support
Base frequency	4.00 GHz	3.50 GHz
Bus Speed	8 GT/s	8 GT/s DMI3
L1 cache	512 KB	64K (per core)
L2 cache	2 MB	1 MB (per core)
L3 cache	16 MB	19.25 MB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology	14 nm	14 nm
Maximum core temperature	100°C	92°C
Maximum frequency	5.00 GHz	4.40 GHz
Number of cores	8	10
Number of threads	16	20
Maximum case temperature (TCase)		72 °C
Number of QPI Links		0
Unlocked
Memory
Max memory channels	2	4
Maximum memory bandwidth	41.6 GB/s
Maximum memory size	128 GB	128 GB
Supported memory types	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Graphics
Device ID	0x3E98
Graphics base frequency	350 MHz
Graphics max dynamic frequency	1.20 GHz
Intel® Clear Video HD technology
Intel® Clear Video technology
Intel® InTru™ 3D technology
Intel® Quick Sync Video
Max video memory	64 GB
Processor graphics	Intel UHD Graphics 630
Graphics interfaces
Number of displays supported	3
Graphics image quality
4K resolution support
Max resolution over DisplayPort	4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over eDP	4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	4096x2304@24Hz
Graphics API support
DirectX	12
OpenGL	4.5
Compatibility
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Package Size	37.5mm x 37.5mm
Sockets supported	FCLGA1151	FCLGA2066
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	127 Watt	165 Watt
Thermal Solution	PCG 2015D	PCG 2017X
Peripherals
Max number of PCIe lanes	16	44
PCI Express revision	3.0	3.0
PCIe configurations	Up to 1x16, 2x8, 1x8+2x4
Scalability	1S Only	1S Only
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Identity Protection technology
Intel® Memory Protection Extensions (Intel® MPX)
Intel® OS Guard
Intel® Secure Key technology
Intel® Software Guard Extensions (Intel® SGX)
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Secure Boot
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Idle States
Instruction set extensions	Intel SSE4.1, Intel SSE4.2, Intel AVX2	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® Stable Image Platform Program (SIPP)
Intel® TSX-NI
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Intel® vPro™ Platform Eligibility
Thermal Monitoring
Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX)
Number of AVX-512 FMA Units		2
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)