Intel Core i5-1250P vs Intel Core i9-9900KF Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-1250P is the stronger processor in every recorded benchmark. The head-to-head data shows a clean sweep: the i5-1250P wins all six Cinebench tests, with the i9-9900KF trailing by 2 to 2.3 percent in each instance. The database records zero wins for the i9-9900KF against this particular mobile chip.

The i9-9900KF is a desktop part from the Coffee Lake Refresh generation, built on a 14 nm node with 8 cores and 16 threads. The i5-1250P is a mobile Alder Lake-P part on a 10 nm node with 12 cores and 16 threads. The core count advantage for the i5-1250P, combined with its newer architecture, translates into consistent benchmark superiority, even though the i5-1250P operates at a much lower 28 W TDP compared to the i9-9900KF's 95 W.

For desktop users with an existing Intel Socket 1151 platform, the i9-9900KF remains a capable option. Its 5.00 GHz boost clock and 16 MB of shared L3 cache are solid for its generation. The data shows its average benchmark score is 4652, which places it in the 58th percentile of all CPUs. However, the i5-1250P, with an average score of 4515, also sits in the 58th percentile, and its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-12700TE and the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748, indicating it competes well beyond its mobile positioning.

The i5-1250P is the pick for anyone prioritizing raw multi-threaded and single-threaded performance in a low-power envelope. The i9-9900KF is the pick for those who need a desktop part with an unlocked multiplier, which the i5-1250P lacks, and who already have a compatible LGA 1151 motherboard. The i9-9900KF also has a recorded launch MSRP of $488, while the i5-1250P has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-1250P has 12 cores, while the Intel Core i9-9900KF has 8 cores. Both processors have 16 threads.

Q: How do the single-core benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-1250P wins all single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 2203 against 2158 for the i9-9900KF, a 2 percent lead. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 222 against 217, a 2.3 percent lead.

Q: What is the difference in process node?

A: The i9-9900KF is built on Intel's 14 nm process, while the i5-1250P uses Intel's 10 nm process. The die size for the i9-9900KF is 180.3 mm², while the i5-1250P has a die size of 217 mm².

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The i9-9900KF supports DDR4 only, with a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The i5-1250P supports both DDR4 and DDR5, and its memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The i5-1250P has integrated graphics, specifically Iris Xe 80EU. The i9-9900KF has no integrated graphics in the database record.

Q: Which processor is still in production?

A: The i5-1250P has an active production status, while the i9-9900KF is marked as end-of-life.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The i9-9900KF uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-R codename, and belongs to the Core i9 (Coffee Lake Refresh) generation. The i5-1250P uses the Alder Lake architecture with the Alder Lake-P codename, belonging to the Core i5 (Alder Lake-P) generation.

The manufacturing process differs significantly. The i9-9900KF is on a 14 nm node, while the i5-1250P is on a 10 nm node. Both are fabricated by Intel, but the newer node for the i5-1250P allows for a different core layout. The i9-9900KF has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i5-1250P has 12 cores and 16 threads. The i5-1250P achieves the same thread count with more cores, which suggests a hybrid or efficiency-oriented design typical of mobile parts.

Cache configurations also differ. The i9-9900KF has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-1250P has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The per-core cache is larger on the i5-1250P, but the total L3 cache is smaller.

PCIe support is another architectural distinction. The i9-9900KF supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The i5-1250P supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The i5-1250P also includes integrated graphics in the form of Iris Xe 80EU, whereas the i9-9900KF has no integrated graphics recorded.

The i9-9900KF has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, while the i5-1250P has a locked multiplier. The i9-9900KF uses Intel Socket 1151, and the i5-1250P uses Intel BGA 1744, which is a soldered mobile socket.

Specification Differences

The core counts differ: the i9-9900KF has 8 cores, the i5-1250P has 12 cores. Thread counts are identical at 16. The base clock for the i9-9900KF is 3.60 GHz, while the i5-1250P has a base clock of 1700.00 MHz, which is 1.70 GHz. The boost clock for the i9-9900KF is 5.00 GHz, while the i5-1250P boosts to 4.40 GHz.

The TDP is a major differentiator. The i9-9900KF has a 95 W TDP, while the i5-1250P has a 28 W TDP. The socket types are different: the i9-9900KF uses Intel Socket 1151, and the i5-1250P uses Intel BGA 1744.

Memory support differs as well. The i9-9900KF supports DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The i5-1250P supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, but its memory bandwidth is not recorded. The i9-9900KF has a die size of 180.3 mm², while the i5-1250P has a die size of 217 mm².

The i9-9900KF has a launch MSRP of $488, while the i5-1250P has no recorded launch MSRP. The i9-9900KF has an unlocked multiplier, the i5-1250P does not. The i9-9900KF has a part number of SRG1ASRFAA, and the i5-1250P has a part number of SRLD8. The production status is end-of-life for the i9-9900KF and active for the i5-1250P. The release dates also differ, with the i9-9900KF released in January 2019 and the i5-1250P released in February 2022.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-1250P wins every recorded head-to-head benchmark. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-1250P scores 1573 against 1541 for the i9-9900KF, a 2 percent lead. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i5-1250P scores 222 against 217, a 2.3 percent lead.

In Cinebench R20 multicore, the i5-1250P scores 6556 against 6422, a 2 percent lead. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-1250P scores 925 against 906, a 2.1 percent lead. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i5-1250P scores 15610 against 15292, a 2 percent lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-1250P scores 2203 against 2158, a 2 percent lead.

The largest margin for the i5-1250P is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it leads by 2.3 percent. All other tests show a 2 percent lead except Cinebench R20 single-core, which shows a 2.1 percent lead. The consistency of these margins suggests that the i5-1250P's architectural advantages, such as the 10 nm process and larger per-core cache, translate uniformly across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

The i9-9900KF's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-10900F with an average score of 4664 and a delta of -0.3 percent, and the Intel Core i9-10900 with an average score of 4614 and a delta of 0.8 percent. The i5-1250P's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-12700TE with an average score of 4513 and a delta of 0 percent, and the Intel Core i5-1340P with an average score of 4545 and a delta of -0.7 percent.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-1250P wins in all recorded benchmark categories. Its 12-core configuration, combined with the Alder Lake architecture on a 10 nm process, gives it a measurable edge in both multi-core and single-core Cinebench workloads. The i5-1250P is the better choice for applications that rely on sustained CPU throughput, such as rendering, compilation, or heavy multitasking, based on the recorded scores. Its lower 28 W TDP also makes it suitable for thermally constrained environments, though the database does not record power efficiency metrics directly.

The i9-9900KF, despite losing all head-to-head tests, retains advantages in specific areas. It has an unlocked multiplier, which allows for overclocking, a feature absent on the i5-1250P. It also uses the Intel Socket 1151, which is a desktop platform, and supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. For users with existing LGA 1151 motherboards, the i9-9900KF can be a drop-in upgrade path without changing the platform. Its 5.00 GHz boost clock is higher than the i5-1250P's 4.40 GHz, which may matter in lightly threaded workloads, though the recorded single-core benchmarks show the i5-1250P still wins.

The i9-9900KF also has a larger shared L3 cache of 16 MB compared to 12 MB on the i5-1250P. This could benefit certain cache-sensitive workloads, but the benchmark data does not show a win for the i9-9900KF in any recorded test. The i5-1250P counters with a larger per-core L2 cache of 1.25 MB versus 256 KB, which likely contributes to its benchmark lead.

For users who need integrated graphics, the i5-1250P includes Iris Xe 80EU, while the i9-9900KF has none. This makes the i5-1250P a more self-contained solution for systems without a discrete GPU. The i9-9900KF is end-of-life, while the i5-1250P is active, which matters for long-term availability and support.

In summary, the data shows the i5-1250P is the superior performer across all recorded benchmarks. The i9-9900KF wins only in platform-specific features such as overclocking support and desktop socket compatibility.