Intel Core i9-10885H vs Intel Core i9-9980HK Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-10885H wins every recorded benchmark comparison against the Intel Core i9-9980HK. The database shows eight head-to-head tests, and the i9-10885H takes all eight, though the margins are narrow. The largest advantage appears in Geekbench single-core, where the i9-10885H scores 1447 versus 1389 for the i9-9980HK, a 4.2% lead. That is the only test with a delta above 3%, making it the standout difference between the two parts.

In multi-threaded workloads, the i9-10885H consistently leads by roughly 2%. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 1219 against 1193, a 2.2% gap. Cinebench R20 multi-core repeats the pattern: 5082 versus 4971, again 2.2%. Cinebench R23 multi-core follows with 12102 versus 11836, also 2.2%. The Geekbench multi-core test is closer, with 6764 versus 6687, a 1.2% margin. These results indicate that the i9-10885H holds a small but repeatable edge in heavily threaded rendering and general multi-core work.

Single-core performance tells a similar story, but with slightly more variation. Cinebench R15 single-core gives the i9-10885H a 172 to 168 win, a 2.4% advantage. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 717 versus 701, a 2.3% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core delivers 1708 against 1671, a 2.2% margin. The Geekbench single-core result is the outlier, as noted, with the i9-10885H stretching out to a 4.2% lead. The consistency of the Cinebench results suggests the boost clock difference of 5.30 GHz versus 5.00 GHz is providing a steady, if modest, single-thread advantage.

The overall average benchmark score reflects this pattern. The i9-10885H averages 3651 across all recorded tests, while the i9-9980HK averages 3577. That is a difference of 74 points, or roughly 2%. Both processors sit at the 55th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning neither dramatically outperforms the other in the broader context of available desktop and mobile parts. The i9-10885H's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5-2658A v3 at 3658 (0.2% behind) and the Intel Core i3-13100E at 3668 (0.5% behind). The i9-9980HK's nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 7 5825C at 3579 (0.1% ahead) and the AMD Ryzen 7 2700E at 3603 (0.7% ahead). So while the i9-10885H wins the head-to-head, both chips are clustered with a wide range of other processors in the same performance tier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-10885H wins every category where the two are compared. There is no benchmark in the database where the i9-9980HK takes the lead. That said, the magnitude of the wins matters for real-world use. The i9-10885H is consistently ahead in single-threaded tests, especially Geekbench single-core with that 4.2% margin. This makes it the better choice for applications that rely on per-core speed, such as older games, lightly threaded productivity tools, and everyday desktop responsiveness.

For multi-threaded workloads, the i9-10885H also wins, but by a narrower margin. The 2.2% leads across all three Cinebench multi-core tests indicate that the i9-9980HK is not far behind in rendering, video encoding, or compilation tasks. The i9-9980HK does have one advantage that is not reflected in the benchmark scores: its multiplier is unlocked, while the i9-10885H is locked. The database does not include overclocked results, so all recorded scores reflect stock behavior. In a system with adequate cooling and a user willing to tune settings, the i9-9980HK could potentially close or exceed the gap, but that is outside the measured data.

The i9-10885H also has a higher boost clock (5.30 GHz versus 5.00 GHz) and a larger die size (206 mm² versus 149 mm²), which may contribute to its consistent lead. The i9-9980HK counters with a lower memory bandwidth rating (42.7 GB/s versus 46.9 GB/s for the i9-10885H), which could explain some of the multi-threaded deficit. For users who do not overclock, the i9-10885H is the clear pick. For users who plan to push the hardware manually, the i9-9980HK offers that flexibility, but the database does not quantify how much it helps.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-10885H. Its best single-core result is 1447 in Geekbench, while the i9-9980HK scores 1389, a 4.2% difference. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i9-10885H scores 1708 versus 1671.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-core rendering?

A: The i9-10885H wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests. In R15, it scores 1219 against 1193. In R20, it scores 5082 versus 4971. In R23, it scores 12102 versus 11836. Each margin is 2.2%.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The i9-9980HK has an unlocked multiplier, while the i9-10885H does not. This means the i9-9980HK can be manually tuned beyond its stock settings, but the database does not include overclocked benchmark results.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds for each chip?

A: The i9-10885H boosts to 5.30 GHz, while the i9-9980HK boosts to 5.00 GHz. Both have a base clock of 2.40 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i9-10885H averages 3651 across all tests, while the i9-9980HK averages 3577. Both sit at the 55th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Both support DDR4 memory. The i9-10885H has a rated memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, while the i9-9980HK has a rated bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s.

Specification Differences

The two processors share several core specifications. Both have 8 cores and 16 threads, a 2.40 GHz base clock, a 45 W TDP, and use the Intel BGA 1440 socket. Both are mobile parts from Intel, built on a 14 nm process, and both are end-of-life products with no ECC memory support.

The differences are concentrated in a few areas. The boost clock is higher on the i9-10885H at 5.30 GHz versus 5.00 GHz on the i9-9980HK. The die size differs substantially: the i9-10885H measures 206 mm², while the i9-9980HK measures 149 mm². Memory bandwidth also differs, with the i9-10885H rated at 46.9 GB/s and the i9-9980HK at 42.7 GB/s. The PCIe configuration is listed as "Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only)" for the i9-10885H, while the i9-9980HK is simply listed as "Gen 3" without lane details.

The multiplier is unlocked on the i9-9980HK but locked on the i9-10885H. The i9-10885H has a launch MSRP of $556, while the i9-9980HK has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. Release dates differ as well: the i9-10885H launched on April 1, 2020, and the i9-9980HK launched on April 22, 2019. The part numbers are SRJ8J for the i9-10885H and SRFD0 for the i9-9980HK.

Architecture Differences

The i9-10885H is built on the Comet Lake architecture, specifically the Comet Lake-H codename. The i9-9980HK uses the Coffee Lake architecture, with the Coffee Lake-HR codename. Both are 14 nm parts from Intel, but the newer Comet Lake design brings a larger die (206 mm² versus 149 mm²) and a higher boost clock. The cache layout is identical: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The integrated graphics are also the same UHD 630 unit on both, though the i9-10885H lists it as "UHD Graphics 630" and the i9-9980HK simply as "UHD 630".

The memory interface differs modestly. Both use dual-channel DDR4, but the i9-10885H has a higher rated bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s. The PCIe generation is the same (Gen 3), but the i9-10885H specifies 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i9-9980HK does not list a lane count. The i9-10885H is a Core 10th Gen part, while the i9-9980HK belongs to the Core i9 generation under the Coffee Lake-HR family. The newer architecture also carries a slightly later release date, though both are now end-of-life.

The Verdict

For a buyer choosing between these two mobile processors without any manual tuning, the Intel Core i9-10885H is the better performer. It wins all eight recorded benchmarks, with margins ranging from 1.2% in Geekbench multi-core to 4.2% in Geekbench single-core. The higher boost clock, larger die, and greater memory bandwidth all point in the same direction. The data shows a small but consistent edge in every test category.

The Intel Core i9-9980HK is not a weak chip by comparison. Its scores are within 2.2% in most multi-threaded tests, and it sits at the same 55th percentile among all CPUs. Its unlocked multiplier is a genuine feature that the i9-10885H lacks, but the database does not include any overclocked results, so there is no measured evidence that it can surpass the i9-10885H. For users who will run stock settings, the i9-10885H is the clear choice. For users who value the ability to overclock and are willing to accept the risk and cooling requirements, the i9-9980HK offers that option, but the recorded data cannot confirm how much performance it would recover. Given the availability of the i9-10885H at a launch MSRP of $556 and its superior stock performance, the database points to the i9-10885H as the stronger default pick.