Intel Core i7-8086K vs Intel Core i9-10980HK Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data is unusually one-sided. Across every benchmark logged in the database, the Intel Core i9-10980HK takes the win, and it does so with remarkable consistency. The i7-8086K, despite its desktop pedigree and higher base clock, does not manage a single victory in the six head-to-head tests. The i9-10980HK wins all six comparisons, and the margin is nearly identical in every workload.

In Cinebench R15, the i9-10980HK scores 1291 in multi-core while the i7-8086K scores 1206, a delta of -6.6% in favor of the mobile chip. The single-core result tells the same story: 182 versus 170, again a -6.6% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i9-10980HK posts 5381 multi-core and 759 single-core, against 5029 and 709 for the i7-8086K. The deltas are -6.5% and -6.6%, respectively. The pattern holds in Cinebench R23, where the i9-10980HK reaches 12812 multi-core and 1808 single-core, while the i7-8086K manages 11975 and 1690. The gaps are -6.5% and -6.5%.

What is striking here is the uniformity of the advantage. The i9-10980HK is not narrowly ahead in one niche workload and behind in another; it is ahead by roughly the same margin across every rendering test. This suggests a consistent architectural and configuration advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The single-core differences, in particular, are telling. The i7-8086K has a 5.00 GHz boost clock, yet the i9-10980HK, with a 5.30 GHz boost, still manages to outpace it in single-threaded tests. The 0.30 GHz boost advantage appears to translate directly into a roughly 6.5% performance lead, which aligns closely with the clock ratio.

For multi-core workloads, the i9-10980HK also benefits from two additional cores and four additional threads. The 8-core, 16-thread configuration against the 6-core, 12-thread i7-8086K explains why the multi-core deltas are similar to the single-core deltas, rather than larger. If the i9-10980HK were constrained to the same core count, the multi-core gap might be even wider. The data shows a chip that simply outperforms its older desktop counterpart in every measured dimension, despite being designed for mobile platforms.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process node and use the same foundry. The architectures, however, diverge. The i7-8086K uses Coffee Lake, part of the Core i7 40th generation, while the i9-10980HK uses Comet Lake-H, part of the Core 10th Gen series. This is not a minor generational bump; it represents a different design philosophy for different market segments.

The core count is a major differentiator. The i7-8086K has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i9-10980HK has 8 cores and 16 threads. Cache configurations also differ. Both share the same per-core L1 and L2 cache sizes, 64 KB and 256 KB respectively, but the L3 cache is larger on the i9-10980HK: 16 MB shared versus 12 MB shared on the i7-8086K. The extra 4 MB of L3 cache, combined with the additional cores, gives the i9-10980HK more headroom for data-intensive multi-threaded workloads.

Clock speeds reveal a fascinating contrast. The i7-8086K has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The i9-10980HK has a much lower base clock of 2.40 GHz but a higher boost clock of 5.30 GHz. This is a classic mobile-versus-desktop tradeoff: the lower base clock on the mobile chip helps manage thermal and power constraints, while the higher boost clock allows for short bursts of peak performance. The TDP numbers confirm this: the i7-8086K has a 95 W TDP, while the i9-10980HK has a 45 W TDP. The desktop chip draws more power at sustained load, but the mobile chip can spike to higher clocks when needed.

Memory support is another point of difference. Both support DDR4, and both use dual-channel memory on the i7-8086K. The database does not record a memory bus or bandwidth figure for the i9-10980HK, but the i7-8086K has a recorded memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory. Both have the same PCIe configuration: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The integrated graphics differ slightly. The i7-8086K includes UHD Graphics 630, while the i9-10980HK includes a more generic UHD Graphics solution. Both are end-of-life products, and both have unlocked multipliers, meaning overclocking is possible on either platform. The sockets are entirely different: the i7-8086K uses Intel Socket 1151, a desktop socket, while the i9-10980HK uses Intel BGA 1440, a ball-grid array socket designed for soldered mobile installation. This is a crucial practical difference, as the i7-8086K can be replaced or upgraded on a desktop motherboard, while the i9-10980HK is permanently attached to a laptop board.

Where Each One Wins

Given the benchmark sweep, the i9-10980HK is the clear winner in raw performance across all tested workloads. Every Cinebench iteration, from R15 to R23, shows the mobile chip ahead in both single-core and multi-core tests. For users who prioritize maximum compute performance in rendering tasks, the data points squarely at the i9-10980HK.

The i7-8086K does have some structural advantages that are not reflected in the benchmark scores. Its desktop socket, 1151, means it can be paired with a wide range of desktop motherboards and aftermarket cooling solutions. The 95 W TDP allows for sustained high clocks, and the 4.00 GHz base clock means it maintains a high performance floor even without boosting. For workloads that are latency-sensitive or that run at moderate loads for long periods, the i7-8086K could be a more consistent performer, though the recorded benchmarks do not capture such scenarios.

The i9-10980HK, by contrast, is a mobile chip. Its 45 W TDP and BGA 1440 socket mean it is found in laptops, where thermal constraints are tighter. Yet despite this, it outperforms the desktop i7-8086K in every logged test. The higher boost clock of 5.30 GHz is likely the key factor in single-threaded wins, while the extra cores and larger L3 cache drive the multi-threaded advantage.

For a desktop user building a new system, the i7-8086K offers the flexibility of a socketed CPU and a higher base clock. For a mobile user or anyone who needs the absolute highest benchmark scores in the database, the i9-10980HK is the better choice. The data does not show any workload category where the i7-8086K wins, so any use-case split must rely on non-benchmark factors like platform flexibility and power characteristics.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i9-10980HK scores 1808 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Core i7-8086K scores 1690. The i9-10980HK leads by 6.5%.

Q: How many cores does each processor have?

A: The i7-8086K has 6 cores and 12 threads. The i9-10980HK has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i7-8086K has a TDP of 95 W, while the i9-10980HK has a TDP of 45 W.

Q: Do both CPUs support overclocking?

A: Yes, both have unlocked multipliers.

Q: What is the L3 cache size on each?

A: The i7-8086K has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9-10980HK has 16 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The i9-10980HK has a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, compared to 5.00 GHz on the i7-8086K.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The i7-8086K has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i9-10980HK has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 4.00 GHz for the i7-8086K and 2.40 GHz for the i9-10980HK. Boost clocks are 5.00 GHz and 5.30 GHz, respectively. TDP is 95 W for the desktop chip and 45 W for the mobile chip.

The sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1151 for the i7-8086K versus Intel BGA 1440 for the i9-10980HK. Architecture names differ as well: Coffee Lake for the i7-8086K and Comet Lake-H for the i9-10980HK. The generations are recorded as Core i7 40th (Coffee Lake) and Core i9 (Comet Lake-H). L3 cache is 12 MB shared on the i7-8086K and 16 MB shared on the i9-10980HK.

Memory bus and bandwidth are listed for the i7-8086K: dual-channel with 42.7 GB/s. The i9-10980HK has no recorded memory bus or bandwidth in the database. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 630 on the i7-8086K and generic UHD Graphics on the i9-10980HK. Release dates are 2018-06-04 for the i7-8086K and 2020-04-01 for the i9-10980HK. Launch MSRP is $425 for the i7-8086K and $643 for the i9-10980HK. Both are end-of-life, both use 14 nm process, and both have 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-10980HK outperforms the Intel Core i7-8086K in every recorded test. The mobile chip leads by roughly 6.5% in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench workloads across all three versions of the benchmark (R15, R20, R23). The i7-8086K records zero wins out of six head-to-head comparisons.

The i9-10980HK achieves this with a lower TDP, 45 W versus 95 W, and a lower base clock, 2.40 GHz versus 4.00 GHz. The higher boost clock of 5.30 GHz and the additional two cores and 4 MB of L3 cache give it a decisive edge. The i7-8086K remains a viable desktop option with a socketed platform and higher base clock, but the recorded benchmarks do not show any scenario where it beats the i9-10980HK.

For users selecting a processor based purely on the performance data in this database, the i9-10980HK is the superior choice. Its wins are consistent, its margins are stable, and it achieves these results in a more power-constrained mobile form factor. The i7-8086K may appeal to those who value desktop upgradability and a higher base clock, but the numbers favor the i9-10980HK across the board.