Intel Core i7-10700KF vs Intel Core i7-9800X Comparison

# Intel Core i7-10700KF vs Intel Core i7-9800X: Benchmark Analysis

The Intel Core i7-10700KF and Intel Core i7-9800X are both 8-core, 16-thread desktop processors from Intel, but they belong to different platform generations with distinct architectural approaches. The 10700KF, built on Comet Lake and released in April 2020, consistently outperforms the older Skylake-X based 9800X, which launched in October 2018. Across the eight shared benchmark tests, the 10700KF wins all eight, with margins ranging from 0.8% in Cinebench multi-core tests to 24.7% in Geekbench multi-core. Both processors sit at the 58th percentile among all CPUs, though the 10700KF carries a slightly higher average benchmark score of 4547 versus 4455 for the 9800X.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-10700KF boosts to 5.10 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-9800X tops out at 4.50 GHz. Both share the same 3.80 GHz base clock.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The 10700KF leads in every single-core test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 2194 versus 2176 for the 9800X, a 0.8% advantage. The gap widens substantially in Geekbench single-core, where the 10700KF’s 1637 score is 17.1% higher than the 9800X’s 1398.

Q: Which processor has a higher memory bandwidth rating?

A: The 9800X supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, more than double the 10700KF’s dual-channel 46.9 GB/s. This reflects the 9800X’s HEDT (high-end desktop) platform heritage.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The 10700KF is listed as Active, meaning it remains in production. The 9800X is marked End-of-life, indicating it has been discontinued.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, both the 10700KF (part number SRH74) and the 9800X (part number SREZ9) have their multiplier unlocked, allowing user overclocking.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare to nearby rivals?

A: The 10700KF’s average score of 4547 puts it within 0.3% of the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 (4532) and 0.6% above the Intel Xeon W-2145 (4576). The 9800X’s 4455 average is 1% above the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 4750GE (4411) and 1.3% below the Intel Core i7-12700TE (4513).

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different Intel design philosophies. The 10700KF uses the Comet Lake architecture on a 14 nm process, while the 9800X is based on Skylake-X, also on 14 nm. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the core layouts differ significantly.

The 10700KF features a shared 16 MB L3 cache with 256 KB L2 per core and 64 KB L1 per core. In contrast, the 9800X provides a slightly larger 16.5 MB shared L3 cache but a much larger 1 MB L2 per core, while keeping the same 64 KB L1 per core. This larger per-core L2 on the 9800X likely compensates for its older architecture’s higher memory latency.

Platform support is a major differentiator. The 10700KF uses Intel Socket 1200, while the 9800X requires Intel Socket 2066. The 9800X offers 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only) versus the 10700KF’s 16 lanes, and it supports quad-channel memory versus dual-channel. Memory bandwidth reflects this: the 9800X delivers 85.3 GB/s versus 46.9 GB/s for the 10700KF.

Both processors lack integrated graphics, have a TDP of 125 W (10700KF) versus 165 W (9800X), and neither supports ECC memory. The 9800X belongs to the Core i7 X-Series 9th Gen, while the 10700KF is part of the Core 10th Gen lineup. Despite the architectural differences, both are desktop parts with unlocked multipliers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear pattern: the 10700KF wins every shared test, but the margin varies dramatically by workload type. In Cinebench tests, the differences are narrow, while Geekbench shows a substantial gap.

Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 10700KF scores 1566 against 1553 for the 9800X, a 0.8% win. The single-core R15 result is similar: 221 versus 219, a 0.9% margin. Moving to Cinebench R20, the 10700KF again leads by 0.8% in multi-core (6528 versus 6474) and 0.9% in single-core (921 versus 913). Cinebench R23 follows the same trend: multi-core 15543 versus 15416 (0.8% win), single-core 2194 versus 2176 (0.8% win).

These Cinebench results indicate that the two CPUs are nearly identical in raw rendering workloads, with the 10700KF’s higher boost clock providing a marginal edge. The 9800X’s larger L2 cache and quad-channel memory do not translate into meaningful Cinebench gains, likely because this workload is not bandwidth-sensitive.

Geekbench tells a different story. In multi-core, the 10700KF scores 9338 versus 7488 for the 9800X, a massive 24.7% advantage. Single-core shows a 17.1% gap: 1637 versus 1398. This suggests that Geekbench exercises the 10700KF’s newer architecture and higher clock speeds far more effectively. The 9800X’s Skylake-X design, despite its HEDT features, falls behind in this synthetic workload.

The 3DMark tests are available only for the 10700KF: 7268 in 16-thread, 1615 in 2-thread, 3164 in 4-thread, 5589 in 8-thread, 7247 in max-thread, and 820 in single-thread. No comparable data exists for the 9800X in this benchmark suite.

Specification Differences

The two processors share several specifications: both have 8 cores, 16 threads, a 3.80 GHz base clock, 14 nm process, DDR4 memory support, no integrated graphics, and no ECC memory support. Both are desktop parts with unlocked multipliers.

Key differences include the boost clock: 5.10 GHz for the 10700KF versus 4.50 GHz for the 9800X. The TDP also differs, with the 10700KF rated at 125 W and the 9800X at 165 W. Sockets are incompatible: Socket 1200 for the 10700KF, Socket 2066 for the 9800X.

Cache hierarchies diverge: the 10700KF has 256 KB L2 per core and 16 MB shared L3, while the 9800X has 1 MB L2 per core and 16.5 MB shared L3. Both have 64 KB L1 per core. Memory channels differ: dual-channel on the 10700KF, quad-channel on the 9800X. Memory bandwidth is 46.9 GB/s versus 85.3 GB/s, respectively.

PCIe lanes are another separator: 16 Gen 3 lanes (CPU only) on the 10700KF versus 44 on the 9800X. Release dates are roughly 18 months apart (April 2020 versus October 2018). The 9800X had a launch MSRP of $589; the 10700KF’s launch MSRP is not listed. Production status differs: Active for the 10700KF, End-of-life for the 9800X.

Where Each One Wins

The 10700KF wins in every benchmark category where both processors were tested. Its advantages are most pronounced in Geekbench, where it leads by 24.7% in multi-core and 17.1% in single-core. This makes it the clear choice for applications that rely on high per-core performance and responsiveness, such as general productivity, web browsing, and lightly threaded software.

In Cinebench workloads, the 10700KF’s wins are narrow (0.8% to 0.9%), indicating that the 9800X remains competitive in heavily threaded rendering tasks. The 9800X’s quad-channel memory and larger L2 cache do not provide a benchmark advantage here, but they might benefit workloads not captured in these tests—for instance, memory-bandwidth-intensive tasks that the data does not cover.

The 9800X’s strengths lie in platform features rather than measured performance. It offers 44 PCIe lanes, enabling more expansion cards and NVMe drives, and quad-channel memory for higher theoretical bandwidth. However, its End-of-life status and 165 W TDP make it less attractive for new builds. The 10700KF, with its Active status, lower TDP, and higher clocks, is the better all-round performer in the tested benchmarks.

For users prioritizing the highest scores in the benchmarks listed, the 10700KF is unambiguously superior. For those requiring the 9800X’s specific platform capabilities—quad-channel memory, extensive PCIe lanes, or Socket 2066 compatibility—the older chip retains relevance, but its 0.8% Cinebench deficit and 24.7% Geekbench shortfall highlight its age. The data shows a processor that wins on efficiency and modern architecture, though the 9800X’s HEDT features remain its only clear differentiator.