Intel Core i7-11850HE vs Intel Core i9-9900X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive overall win for the Intel Core i9-9900X, taking 7 of the 8 head-to-head comparisons. The margins are consistent, though not overwhelming, across the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9-9900X scores 1851 against 1753 for the i7-11850HE, a 5.6% advantage. The single-core R15 result is nearly identical in percentage terms, with the i9-9900X posting 261 versus 247, a 5.7% lead. This pattern repeats in R20, where the multi-core score is 7713 versus 7308 (5.5% ahead) and the single-core score is 1088 versus 1031 (also 5.5% ahead). The R23 results follow the same trend: the i9-9900X reaches 18365 multi-core and 2592 single-core, while the i7-11850HE manages 17402 and 2456, respectively, again a 5.5% gap in both.

The largest multi-threaded win for the i9-9900X appears in Geekbench multi-core, where it scores 9109 against 8576, a 6.2% margin. That is the biggest single delta among the i9-9900X victories, reflecting the combination of its higher core count and thread count in a workload that scales well. However, the benchmark database records one clear reversal. In Geekbench single-core, the i7-11850HE scores 1984 versus 1429 for the i9-9900X, a 28% advantage. This is a substantial outlier, likely due to the much newer architecture and higher boost clock of the mobile part, but it is the only test where the i7-11850HE leads. Across all other tests, the i9-9900X wins by a narrow but consistent 5.5% to 6.2%, suggesting that its additional two cores and four threads provide a steady advantage in threaded workloads, while the single-core Geekbench result shows the i7-11850HE's architectural efficiency in a different light.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i9-9900X is a desktop part based on the Skylake architecture, specifically Skylake-X, built on Intel's 14 nm process. It uses the Intel Socket 2066 platform and belongs to the Core i9 X-Series 9th Gen family. The i7-11850HE is a mobile chip from Tiger Lake-H, built on Intel's 10 nm process, using the Intel BGA 1787 socket, and is part of the Core 11th Gen series. The process node difference alone explains much of the efficiency gap: the i9-9900X has a TDP of 165 watts, while the i7-11850HE is rated at only 35 watts. That is a 130-watt difference in thermal design power, which is why the mobile part can exist in thin laptops despite having only slightly lower multi-threaded performance.

Core counts differ as well. The i9-9900X has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the i7-11850HE has 8 cores and 16 threads. The i9-9900X also has a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz versus 2.10 GHz, though the i7-11850HE has a higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz versus 4.50 GHz. Cache layouts are distinct: the i9-9900X has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 19.25 MB L3. The i7-11850HE has larger per-core caches, with 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, plus a larger shared 24 MB L3. The i7-11850HE also has a smaller die size of 190 mm², while the i9-9900X's die size is not recorded in the database.

Memory support is another major divider. The i9-9900X uses quad-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, while the i7-11850HE uses dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s. This nearly 34 GB/s bandwidth advantage for the desktop part matters in memory-intensive workloads. PCIe support is also generationally different: the i9-9900X offers Gen 3 with 44 lanes (CPU only), whereas the i7-11850HE provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The i7-11850HE includes integrated UHD Graphics (Xe-LP), while the i9-9900X has no integrated graphics. The i9-9900X has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, while the i7-11850HE is locked. Finally, the i9-9900X is end-of-life, released in late 2018, while the i7-11850HE is an active product, released in mid-2021.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-9900X has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core i7-11850HE has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference in Geekbench?

A: The i7-11850HE leads by 28%, scoring 1984 versus 1429 for the i9-9900X. This is the only benchmark where the i7-11850HE wins in the head-to-head comparison.

Q: How large is the multi-core lead for the i9-9900X in Cinebench R23?

A: The i9-9900X scores 18365 against 17402 for the i7-11850HE, a 5.5% advantage.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The i9-9900X has a TDP of 165 watts, while the i7-11850HE has a TDP of 35 watts.

Q: Which processor supports faster PCIe?

A: The i7-11850HE supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the i9-9900X supports PCIe Gen 3 with 44 lanes.

Q: Does the i9-9900X have integrated graphics?

A: No, the i9-9900X has no integrated graphics. The i7-11850HE includes UHD Graphics (Xe-LP).

The Verdict

The data indicates a clear choice for users who prioritize consistent multi-threaded performance: the Intel Core i9-9900X wins 7 out of 8 benchmarks. Its scores are 5.5% to 6.2% higher in Cinebench R15, R20, R23 multi-core and single-core (except Geekbench single-core), and its Geekbench multi-core result is 6.2% ahead. For a desktop workstation or high-end enthusiast build, the i9-9900X offers superior throughput thanks to its 10 cores, 20 threads, quad-channel memory, and 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The 165-watt TDP is high, but that is expected for a desktop part with an unlocked multiplier and an end-of-life status.

The i7-11850HE, by contrast, is a mobile-focused chip with a 35-watt TDP, integrated graphics, and PCIe Gen 4 support. Its single Geekbench single-core victory is significant, showing a 28% lead, and its boost clock is 0.2 GHz higher than the i9-9900X. However, its multi-threaded scores trail by roughly 5.5% across the board, which is a modest gap given that it consumes far less power. The i7-11850HE is the better choice for a laptop or compact system where power efficiency and integrated graphics matter, and where the newer 10 nm process and larger caches (24 MB L3 versus 19.25 MB) provide architectural advantages. The i9-9900X is the better choice for a desktop system where multi-threaded performance, memory bandwidth, and PCIe lane count are the primary concerns. Neither part is a clear winner overall; the database shows a split based on use case. The i9-9900X's launch MSRP was $989, while the i7-11850HE's launch MSRP was $400.

Specification Differences

• Cores: 10 (i9-9900X) vs 8 (i7-11850HE)
• Threads: 20 (i9-9900X) vs 16 (i7-11850HE)
• Base Clock: 3.50 GHz (i9-9900X) vs 2.10 GHz (i7-11850HE)
• Boost Clock: 4.50 GHz (i9-9900X) vs 4.70 GHz (i7-11850HE)
• TDP: 165 W (i9-9900X) vs 35 W (i7-11850HE)
• Socket: Intel Socket 2066 (i9-9900X) vs Intel BGA 1787 (i7-11850HE)
• Architecture: Skylake (i9-9900X) vs Tiger Lake (i7-11850HE)
• Process Node: 14 nm (i9-9900X) vs 10 nm (i7-11850HE)
• L1 Cache: 64 KB per core (i9-9900X) vs 80 KB per core (i7-11850HE)
• L2 Cache: 1 MB per core (i9-9900X) vs 1.25 MB per core (i7-11850HE)
• L3 Cache: 19.25 MB shared (i9-9900X) vs 24 MB shared (i7-11850HE)
• Memory Bus: Quad-channel (i9-9900X) vs Dual-channel (i7-11850HE)
• Memory Bandwidth: 85.3 GB/s (i9-9900X) vs 51.2 GB/s (i7-11850HE)
• PCIe: Gen 3, 44 Lanes (i9-9900X) vs Gen 4, 20 Lanes (i7-11850HE)
• Integrated Graphics: None (i9-9900X) vs UHD Graphics (Xe-LP) (i7-11850HE)
• Market Segment: Desktop (i9-9900X) vs Mobile (i7-11850HE)
• Production Status: End-of-life (i9-9900X) vs Active (i7-11850HE)
• Multiplier Unlocked: Yes (i9-9900X) vs No (i7-11850HE)

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-9900X wins in every Cinebench test, both single-core and multi-core, with margins between 5.5% and 5.7%. It also wins Geekbench multi-core by 6.2%. These results point to strengths in compute-heavy workloads that use multiple threads, such as video rendering, 3D modeling, or scientific simulations. Its quad-channel memory interface, which delivers 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth, further supports memory-intensive tasks. The 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes allow for extensive expansion options, making it suitable for systems with multiple GPUs or storage devices. The unlocked multiplier also means users can push the 10-core, 20-thread part beyond its stock 4.50 GHz boost, provided they have sufficient cooling for the 165-watt TDP.

The Intel Core i7-11850HE wins only in Geekbench single-core, but that win is decisive at 28% ahead. This indicates superior per-thread efficiency in specific workloads, likely due to the newer Tiger Lake architecture and higher 4.70 GHz boost clock. The i7-11850HE also wins on power efficiency, with a 35-watt TDP versus 165 watts, making it the clear choice for battery-powered or thermally constrained systems. Its integrated UHD Graphics (Xe-LP) removes the need for a discrete GPU in basic tasks. The 24 MB shared L3 cache and larger per-core L1 and L2 caches provide additional headroom for latency-sensitive applications. For a mobile workstation or a compact desktop replacement, the i7-11850HE is the better fit. The i9-9900X is the better fit for a stationary desktop that can handle its power draw and where raw multi-threaded performance is the priority. The average benchmark scores reflect this split: the i9-9900X averages 5301 across all benchmarks, while the i7-11850HE averages 5095, a difference of about 4%. Both sit at the 60th percentile of all CPUs in the database.