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

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i9-10900X or Intel Core i9-10900X – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i9-10900X features 10 processor cores and has the capability to manage 20 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2019 and belongs to the 10 generation of the Intel Core i9 series.
To use the Intel Core i9-10900X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2066 socket.
The Intel Core i9-9960X features 16 processor cores and has the capability to manage 32 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2018 and belongs to the 9 generation of the Intel Core i9 series.
To use the Intel Core i9-9960X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2066 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i9-10900X Name Intel Core i9-9960X
Intel Core i9 Family Intel Core i9
10 Generation 9
Intel Core i 10000X Group Intel Core i 9000X
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i9-10900X has 10 CPU cores and can calculate 20 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i9-10900X is 3.7 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.7 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Intel Core i9-9960X has 16 CPU cores and can calculate 32 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i9-9960X is 3.1 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.5 GHz.
4.7 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.5 GHz
Yes Overclocking Yes
normal Core architecture normal
3.7 GHz Frequency 3.1 GHz
20 Threads 32
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
10 CPU Cores 16
10x Cores 16x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i9-10900X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i9-9960X does not have integrated graphics.
-- GPU frequency --
-- Release date --
-- Direct X --
GPU name
-- Technology --
-- Max. displays --
-- Shaders --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Execution units --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- AVC --
-- VC-1 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
-- h264 --
-- VP8 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 256.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 93.8 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
4 Memory channels 4
256.0 GB Max. Memory 128.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC No
93.8 GB/s Bandwidth 42.7 GB/s
DDR4-2933 Memory type DDR4-2666
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 165 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
94 °C Tjunction max 92 °C
165 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 165 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i9-10900X is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 19.2 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i9-9960X is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 22.0 MB cache.
Q4/2019 Release date Q4/2018
-- Part Number --
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX-512 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX-512
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Cascade Lake Architecture Skylake X Refresh
14 nm Technology 14 nm
LGA 2066 Socket LGA 2066
Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11 Operating systems Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11
590 $ Release price 1684 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
19.2 MB L3-Cache 22.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
30355
30355
Intel Core i9-10900X
10C 20T @ 3.7 GHz
22510
22510

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
14314
14314
Intel Core i9-10900X
10C 20T @ 3.7 GHz
10651
10651

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
11020
11020
Intel Core i9-10900X
10C 20T @ 3.7 GHz
8727
8727

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
2872
2872
Intel Core i9-10900X
10C 20T @ 3.7 GHz
2358
2358

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
1459
1459
Intel Core i9-10900X
10C 20T @ 3.7 GHz
1445
1445

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
1174
1174
Intel Core i9-10900X
10C 20T @ 3.7 GHz
1171
1171

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
200
200
Intel Core i9-10900X
10C 20T @ 3.7 GHz
198
198

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

Intel Core i9-10900X
10C 20T @ 3.7 GHz
135.4
135.4
Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
104.3
104.3