Intel Core i9-10885H vs Intel Core i9-10980HK Comparison

The Intel Core i9-10980HK and Intel Core i9-10885H are near-identical twins on paper, both built on the same Comet Lake-H architecture, but benchmark results show a consistent performance gap. The data reveals that the 10980HK is the faster part across every single test conducted, with a uniform edge of approximately 5.9% in multi-core workloads. This is not a case of one chip winning single-threaded tasks while the other takes multi-threaded; the 10980HK sweeps all six head-to-head comparisons, making it the clear performance leader.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark suite shows a decisive victory for the Intel Core i9-10980HK, which won all six head-to-head comparisons. The largest margin of victory is seen in multi-core tests, where the 10980HK consistently leads by 5.9%. For instance, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 10980HK scores 12812 against the 10885H’s 12102, a difference that will be noticeable in rendering and video editing tasks. Similarly, in Cinebench R20 multi-core, the score is 5381 versus 5082, reinforcing the trend that the unlocked chip extracts more performance from the same eight-core, sixteen-thread configuration.

Single-core performance tells a similar story, though the margins are nearly identical. The 10980HK posts a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1808, while the 10885H manages 1708, a 5.9% advantage. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R15 single-core (182 vs 172) and Cinebench R20 single-core (759 vs 717). Interestingly, the delta is a consistent 5.8% to 5.9% across the board, suggesting that the 10980HK’s advantage is not workload-specific but rather a general clock-for-clock or boost behavior improvement. The average benchmark score reflects this: the 10980HK sits at 3706, while the 10885H trails at 3651.

When placed against their nearest rivals, the two chips occupy similar positions in the broader CPU landscape. The 10980HK’s average score of 3706 places it within 0.6% of the AMD EPYC 7301 and 0.7% of the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE, while the 10885H’s 3651 average is within 0.6% of the AMD EPYC 7251. The 10885H’s closest competitor is the Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 at 3658, which beats it by 0.2%, while the 10980HK edges out the Intel Xeon E-2434 by 0.1%. For users coming from those older or different-class parts, both i9s represent a significant step up in mobile performance, but the 10980HK is the one that consistently pushes ahead.

Architecture Differences

At the architectural level, these two processors are fundamentally the same silicon. Both are built on Intel’s 14 nm process node and use the Comet Lake-H codename, part of the Core 10th Gen series. They share identical core counts (8 cores, 16 threads), the same 2.40 GHz base clock, and the same 5.30 GHz boost clock. The cache hierarchy is also identical: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 16 MB L3 cache. Both support DDR4 memory and feature PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and neither supports ECC memory.

The key architectural deltas are subtle but meaningful. The 10980HK has a multiplier unlocked, which is the defining feature of the “HK” suffix in Intel’s mobile lineup; the 10885H has a locked multiplier. This means the 10980HK can be overclocked by the user, while the 10885H is fixed at factory settings. There is also a difference in the integrated graphics naming: the 10980HK lists “UHD Graphics” without a specific number, while the 10885H specifies “UHD Graphics 630.” The die size is listed for the 10885H at 206 mm², but no die size is provided for the 10980HK, though they are almost certainly the same physical chip. Additionally, the 10885H explicitly lists a dual-channel memory bus with 45.9 GB/s bandwidth, while the 10980HK’s memory bus and bandwidth fields are left blank in the data.

The most important practical difference beyond the unlocked multiplier is the launch MSRP. The 10980HK was launched at $643, while the 10885H launched at $556. That $87 price gap is the premium for the unlocked multiplier and the associated performance headroom. Both parts are end-of-life and were released on the same date in April 2020, so availability is now limited to used or refurbished markets.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i9-10980HK wins every multi-core benchmark. It leads by 5.9% in Cinebench R15 (1291 vs 1219), R20 (5381 vs 5082), and R23 (12812 vs 12102).

Q: Is the single-core performance different between the two?

A: Yes, the 10980HK is also ahead in single-core tests. The margin is 5.8% in Cinebench R15 (182 vs 172) and 5.9% in both R20 (759 vs 717) and R23 (1808 vs 1708).

Q: Do both CPUs have the same core and thread count?

A: Yes, both have 8 cores and 16 threads, with identical base clocks of 2.40 GHz and boost clocks of 5.30 GHz.

Q: Can the user overclock either of these processors?

A: Only the Intel Core i9-10980HK has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i9-10885H is locked, so its clock speeds cannot be manually adjusted.

Q: Are the memory support and PCIe capabilities the same?

A: Both support DDR4 memory and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The 10885H additionally specifies a dual-channel memory bus with 46.9 GB/s bandwidth, while the 10980HK’s memory bus details are not provided in the data.

Q: Which chip has a higher launch price?

A: The Intel Core i9-10980HK has a launch MSRP of $643, which is higher than the Intel Core i9-10885H’s launch MSRP of $556.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-10980HK is the superior processor in every measured benchmark. If your priority is raw performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications, the 10980HK delivers a consistent 5.9% advantage over the 10885H. This makes it the better choice for demanding mobile workloads like video editing, 3D rendering, and software compilation where those extra points in Cinebench translate to shorter render times. The unlocked multiplier is the other major differentiator; for users who are comfortable with overclocking, the 10980HK offers headroom that the 10885H simply cannot match, potentially widening the gap further.

The Intel Core i9-10885H, however, is not without its merits. Its average benchmark score of 3651 is only 1.5% lower than the 10980HK’s 3706, and its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-13100E and AMD EPYC 7251, showing it remains competitive in its class. For users who do not plan to overclock and want to save on the launch price ($556 vs $643), the 10885H offers nearly identical architecture and core specifications, with only a small performance deficit. The locked multiplier is a non-issue for those who run default settings. The choice comes down to whether you value the extra performance and overclocking capability of the 10980HK or the cost savings of the 10885H. Both are end-of-life mobile parts, but the 10980HK is the enthusiast’s pick, while the 10885H serves the practical user who needs solid 8-core/16-thread performance without the premium.

Specification Differences

The following table lists only the fields where the two processors differ according to the available data.

| Specification | Intel Core i9-10980HK | Intel Core i9-10885H |

|---|---|---|

| Launch MSRP | $643 | $556 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Die Size | Not specified | 206 mm² |

| Memory Bus | Not specified | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 46.9 GB/s |

| Part Number | SRH8T | SRJ8J |

| Geekbench Multi-Core Score | Not available | 6764 |

| Geekbench Single-Core Score | Not available | 1447 |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 56 | 55 |