Intel Core i9-9900T vs Intel Core i9-9980HK Comparison

Both the Intel Core i9-9980HK and the Intel Core i9-9900T are 8-core, 16-thread Coffee Lake processors from Intel, but they target different market segments: the 9980HK is a mobile part (BGA 1440) with a 45W TDP, while the 9900T is a desktop part (Socket 1151) with a 35W TDP. The recorded benchmark data shows a clear split: the 9980HK wins all six Cinebench tests, while the 9900T wins both Geekbench tests. Both CPUs sit at the 55th percentile of all processors, with average benchmark scores of 3577 for the 9980HK and 3499 for the 9900T. The 9980HK's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 5825C (3579, 0.1% difference) and the Ryzen 7 2700E (3603, 0.7% difference); the 9900T's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E-2176G (3502, 0.1% difference) and the Xeon E5-1680 v4 (3494, 0.2% difference).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results cover eight benchmark runs. The Intel Core i9-9980HK takes six of them, all from the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 9980HK scores 1193 against the 9900T's 1117, a 6.8% lead. In single-core, it scores 168 versus 157, a 7% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20, the 9980HK posts 4971 multi-core and 701 single-core, while the 9900T manages 4658 and 657, respectively, for a 6.7% margin in both. Cinebench R23 shows the same pattern: 11836 versus 11091 multi-core (6.7% ahead) and 1671 versus 1565 single-core (6.8% ahead). These are consistent wins across all three Cinebench versions, indicating a clear advantage in rendering and CPU-bound multi-threaded tasks.

The 9900T strikes back in Geekbench. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 7298 against the 9980HK's 6687, an 8.4% lead. In single-core, it scores 1452 versus 1389, a 4.3% advantage. These are the only two tests where the 9900T wins, but they are not trivial. Geekbench covers a broader mix of integer, floating-point, and memory workloads, so the 9900T's higher scores there suggest better general-purpose performance in certain everyday applications.

The delta percentages are consistent: the 9980HK leads by roughly 6.7 to 7% in Cinebench, while the 9900T leads by 4.3 to 8.4% in Geekbench. The magnitude of the Geekbench multi-core win is larger than any single Cinebench margin, but the 9980HK wins more tests overall. The 9980HK's higher boost clock (5.00 GHz vs 4.40 GHz) likely contributes to its Cinebench dominance, while the 9900T's lower TDP and different packaging may explain its Geekbench edge, though the data does not specify the cause.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark wins, the 9980HK is the stronger choice for workloads that resemble Cinebench: 3D rendering, video encoding, and other heavily threaded compute tasks. Its 6.7 to 7% advantage across all Cinebench versions means that any application that scales similarly will see a measurable performance boost. The 9900T, on the other hand, wins in Geekbench, which includes memory bandwidth, encryption, and image processing tests. For general desktop productivity, web browsing, office applications, and light content creation, the 9900T's Geekbench lead suggests it may feel snappier in mixed-use scenarios.

The 9980HK is a mobile part with a 45W TDP and an unlocked multiplier, so it is designed for high-performance laptops where overclocking is possible. The 9900T is a desktop part with a 35W TDP and a locked multiplier, aimed at low-power desktop builds. The data shows that the 9980HK trades blows with the 9900T, but the 9980HK's higher boost clock and unlocked nature make it the pick for users who want maximum multi-threaded rendering performance and the ability to overclock. The 9900T, with its lower TDP and Geekbench wins, is better suited for desktop systems where power efficiency and general-purpose speed are priorities.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-9980HK boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core i9-9900T boosts to 4.40 GHz.

Q: Which CPU has a higher TDP?

A: The 9980HK has a 45W TDP, while the 9900T has a 35W TDP.

Q: Which CPU is unlocked for overclocking?

A: The 9980HK has an unlocked multiplier; the 9900T does not.

Q: Which CPU has a larger die size?

A: The 9900T has a die size of 180.3 mm², while the 9980HK is 149 mm².

Q: Which CPU wins in Geekbench multi-core?

A: The 9900T scores 7298 versus the 9980HK's 6687, an 8.4% lead.

Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The 9980HK scores 11836 versus the 9900T's 11091, a 6.7% lead.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs share the same core count (8), thread count (16), L1/L2/L3 cache sizes (64 KB per core, 256 KB per core, 16 MB shared), memory support (DDR4 dual-channel, 42.7 GB/s), integrated graphics (UHD 630), process node (14 nm), and release date (2019-04-22). They differ in the following fields:

• Base clock: 2.40 GHz (9980HK) vs 2.10 GHz (9900T)
• Boost clock: 5.00 GHz vs 4.40 GHz
• TDP: 45W vs 35W
• Socket: Intel BGA 1440 vs Intel Socket 1151
• Market segment: Mobile vs Desktop
• Multiplier unlocked: Yes vs No
• Die size: 149 mm² vs 180.3 mm²
• PCIe: Gen 3 (9980HK) vs Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) (9900T)
• Codename: Coffee Lake-HR vs Coffee Lake-R
• Generation: Core i9 (Coffee Lake-HR) vs Core i9 (Coffee Lake Refresh)
• Part number: SRFD0 vs SRG1B
• Launch MSRP: The 9900T has a launch MSRP of $423; the 9980HK has no listed launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process and use the Coffee Lake architecture. They have identical core and thread counts, and the same cache hierarchy: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The key architectural differences lie in packaging and power delivery. The 9980HK uses the Coffee Lake-HR variant, designed for mobile platforms with a BGA 1440 socket and a 45W TDP. The 9900T uses the Coffee Lake-R variant for desktop, with a Socket 1151 and a 35W TDP. The die size also differs: 149 mm² for the 9980HK versus 180.3 mm² for the 9900T. The PCIe configuration is different as well: the 9900T lists 16 lanes (CPU only), while the 9980HK simply lists Gen 3 without a lane count. The 9980HK has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the 9900T is locked. These differences reflect their intended use cases: the 9980HK is a high-performance mobile chip, while the 9900T is a low-power desktop chip.

The Verdict

The benchmark data shows a clear split. The Intel Core i9-9980HK is the better choice for Cinebench-style workloads, leading by 6.7 to 7% across all three Cinebench versions. It also has a higher boost clock (5.00 GHz) and an unlocked multiplier, making it the pick for users who want maximum multi-threaded rendering performance and the ability to overclock. The Intel Core i9-9900T, however, wins in Geekbench, with an 8.4% lead in multi-core and a 4.3% lead in single-core. It also has a lower TDP (35W vs 45W) and a larger die (180.3 mm² vs 149 mm²). For general desktop productivity, the 9900T's Geekbench advantage suggests it may handle mixed workloads better. The 9980HK is a mobile part, so it belongs in laptops; the 9900T is a desktop part. If your priority is rendering and you need a mobile platform, the 9980HK is the data-backed winner. If you are building a low-power desktop and value Geekbench performance, the 9900T is the one to choose. Both sit at the 55th percentile of all CPUs, with average scores of 3577 and 3499, respectively, so they are closely matched overall.