Intel Core i7-9800X vs Intel Core i9-10900F Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-10900F wins every single recorded head-to-head test against the Intel Core i7-9800X. Across eight direct comparisons spanning Cinebench R15, R20, R23, and Geekbench, the i9-10900F takes all eight wins. There is no workload category in the database where the i7-9800X comes out ahead.

The biggest margin comes in Geekbench single-core, where the i9-10900F scores 1708 against 1398 for the i7-9800X, a 22.2% advantage. This is the largest delta between the two processors in any test. The Geekbench multi-core test shows the second-largest gap at 12.8%, with the i9-10900F scoring 8447 versus 7488.

In Cinebench tests, the i9-10900F leads by a consistent 8.7% margin across R15 multi-core (1688 vs 1553), R15 single-core (238 vs 219), R20 multi-core (7036 vs 6474), R23 multi-core (16753 vs 15416), and R23 single-core (2365 vs 2176). The only slightly larger Cinebench gap is R20 single-core at 8.8% (993 vs 913).

The i9-10900F also holds a 58th percentile ranking among all CPUs, the same percentile as the i7-9800X. The average benchmark score for the i9-10900F is 4664, while the i7-9800X averages 4455. That difference of roughly 4.7% in average score reflects the consistent, if not dramatic, superiority of the newer Comet Lake part.

The i9-10900F's advantage is broad rather than narrow. It does not win only in lightly threaded or only in heavily threaded workloads; it wins across the board. The i7-9800X, despite its higher base clock of 3.80 GHz versus 2.80 GHz, cannot translate that clock advantage into benchmark victories. The i9-10900F's 5.20 GHz boost clock, its two additional cores, and its newer architecture combine to produce a clean sweep.

The Verdict

The data points to a single conclusion: the Intel Core i9-10900F is the stronger processor in every measured dimension. For users choosing between these two, the decision is straightforward based on benchmark results alone. The i9-10900F offers higher scores in all eight head-to-head tests, a higher average benchmark score (4664 vs 4455), and a leading margin that ranges from 8.7% to 22.2% depending on the workload.

The i9-10900F also carries a lower launch MSRP of $464 compared to the i7-9800X at $589. It delivers more cores (10 versus 8), more threads (20 versus 16), a higher boost clock (5.20 GHz versus 4.50 GHz), and a much lower TDP (65 watts versus 165 watts). It launches on a newer platform (Comet Lake, Intel Socket 1200) compared to the older Skylake-X architecture on Intel Socket 2066.

For single-core sensitive applications, the verdict is especially clear. The 22.2% lead in Geekbench single-core and the 8.7% to 8.8% leads across Cinebench single-core tests indicate that the i9-10900F is significantly more responsive in lightly threaded workloads. The i7-9800X's base clock advantage of 3.80 GHz versus 2.80 GHz does not help it in practice, because the i9-10900F's boost behavior and architectural efficiency carry the day.

For multi-threaded rendering, the i9-10900F again wins, though by a smaller margin. The 8.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (16753 vs 15416) and the 12.8% lead in Geekbench multi-core (8447 vs 7488) show that the two extra cores and four extra threads of the i9-10900F matter, but the i7-9800X's higher base clock and larger per-core L2 cache (1 MB per core versus 256 KB per core) keep it competitive.

The only area where the i7-9800X might appeal is platform connectivity. It offers quad-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth versus dual-channel 46.9 GB/s, and 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus 16. It also has an unlocked multiplier, while the i9-10900F is locked. But these are platform features, not benchmark wins. On pure performance data, the i9-10900F is the recommended choice.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R23 multi-core test is the most demanding rendering workload in the shared benchmark set. The i9-10900F scores 16753 against 15416 for the i7-9800X, an 8.7% advantage. That margin is identical to the Cinebench R15 multi-core result (1688 vs 1553) and Cinebench R20 multi-core (7036 vs 6474). The consistency of this 8.7% gap across three generations of Cinebench suggests a stable architectural and core-count advantage rather than a test-specific quirk.

Cinebench R23 single-core shows the same pattern: 2365 for the i9-10900F versus 2176 for the i7-9800X, again an 8.7% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core (238 vs 219) matches that exactly, while Cinebench R20 single-core (993 vs 913) is marginally higher at 8.8%.

The Geekbench results tell a different story in terms of magnitude. The Geekbench single-core score of 1708 for the i9-10900F represents a 22.2% lead over the i7-9800X's 1398. This is the largest delta recorded between the two processors. The Geekbench multi-core score of 8447 versus 7488 is a 12.8% gap, also larger than any Cinebench delta. Geekbench appears to be more sensitive to the architectural differences between Comet Lake and Skylake-X, amplifying the i9-10900F's per-clock efficiency advantage.

The i7-9800X's best relative performance comes in Cinebench multi-core tests, where its 8.7% deficit is its closest margin outside of the 8.8% R20 single-core result. The 16.5 MB shared L3 cache and 1 MB per-core L2 cache of the i7-9800X help it keep pace in heavily threaded workloads, but they are not enough to overcome the i9-10900F's two additional cores and higher boost clock.

Across all eight head-to-head tests, the average delta in favor of the i9-10900F is roughly 11%. The i9-10900F's average benchmark score of 4664 versus 4455 for the i7-9800X confirms the overall trend. The i9-10900F is not just slightly ahead in one niche; it is ahead everywhere, with margins ranging from under 9% in Cinebench to over 22% in Geekbench single-core.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-10900F has 10 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core i7-9800X has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench single-core, where the i9-10900F scores 1708 versus 1398 for the i7-9800X, a 22.2% advantage.

Q: Does the i7-9800X win any benchmark test in the database?

A: No. The i9-10900F wins all 8 head-to-head benchmark tests. The i7-9800X has zero wins.

Q: How do the memory systems differ?

A: The i9-10900F supports dual-channel DDR4 with 46.9 GB/s bandwidth. The i7-9800X supports quad-channel DDR4 with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i9-10900F boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the i7-9800X boosts to 4.50 GHz. The i7-9800X has a higher base clock at 3.80 GHz versus 2.80 GHz.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The i7-9800X has an unlocked multiplier. The i9-10900F does not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectures. The i9-10900F is built on Comet Lake, a 14 nm architecture that represents the mature end of Intel's 14 nm process line. The i7-9800X is built on Skylake-X, also 14 nm, but from an earlier design generation targeting the high-end desktop platform. Both are manufactured by Intel on the same 14 nm process node.

The core layouts differ significantly. The i9-10900F uses a 10-core, 20-thread configuration with 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. Its L3 cache is 20 MB shared. The i7-9800X uses 8 cores and 16 threads with 64 KB of L1 cache per core but a much larger 1 MB of L2 cache per core. Its shared L3 cache is 16.5 MB. This means the i7-9800X has substantially more L2 cache per core, which can help in certain workloads, but the i9-10900F has more total L3 cache.

The memory architecture is a major divergence. The i9-10900F uses a dual-channel memory bus with 46.9 GB/s bandwidth. The i7-9800X uses a quad-channel memory bus with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, nearly double the theoretical bandwidth. The PCIe configuration also differs: the i9-10900F provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the i7-9800X provides 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.

Both processors lack integrated graphics and do not support ECC memory. The i9-10900F is a locked part, while the i7-9800X has an unlocked multiplier. The i7-9800X belongs to the Core i7 X-Series 9th Gen family, while the i9-10900F is part of the Core 10th Gen lineup.

The TDP difference is substantial: 65 watts for the i9-10900F versus 165 watts for the i7-9800X. This reflects the different design goals. The i9-10900F is a mainstream desktop part optimized for efficiency within a standard socket, while the i7-9800X is a high-end desktop part designed for maximum platform capability on a larger socket.

Specification Differences

The i9-10900F and i7-9800X differ across nearly every major specification field.

Cores and threads: The i9-10900F has 10 cores and 20 threads. The i7-9800X has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Clock speeds: The i9-10900F has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The i7-9800X has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

TDP: The i9-10900F is rated at 65 watts. The i7-9800X is rated at 165 watts.

Socket: The i9-10900F uses Intel Socket 1200. The i7-9800X uses Intel Socket 2066.

Cache: The i9-10900F has 256 KB of L2 cache per core and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-9800X has 1 MB of L2 cache per core and 16.5 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core.

Memory: The i9-10900F supports dual-channel DDR4 with 46.9 GB/s bandwidth. The i7-9800X supports quad-channel DDR4 with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth.

PCIe: The i9-10900F provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU. The i7-9800X provides 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.

Multiplier: The i9-10900F is locked. The i7-9800X is unlocked.

Launch MSRP: The i9-10900F launched at $464. The i7-9800X launched at $589.

Release date: The i9-10900F was released on 2020-04-29. The i7-9800X was released on 2018-10-18.

Part number: The i9-10900F carries part number SRH90. The i7-9800X carries part number SREZ9.

Both processors are end-of-life, lack integrated graphics, do not support ECC memory, and are manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process. The i9-10900F's average benchmark score is 4664, compared to 4455 for the i7-9800X. Both sit at the 58th percentile among all CPUs in the database.