i9-10900KF vs i7-8550U

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-8550U
2017
4 cores / 8 threads, 15 Watt
3.85
Core i9-10900KF
2020
10 cores / 20 threads, 125 Watt
14.17
+268%

Core i9-10900KF outperforms Core i7-8550U by a whopping 268% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-8550U and Core i9-10900KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1449510
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data14.14
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7no data
Power efficiency24.2910.73
Architecture codenameKaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)Comet Lake (2020)
Release date21 August 2017 (7 years ago)30 April 2020 (4 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$409$509

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-8550U and Core i9-10900KF basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)10 (Deca-Core)
Threads820
Base clock speed1.8 GHz3.7 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz5.2 GHz
Bus typeOPIno data
Bus rate4 GT/s8 GT/s
Multiplier18no data
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)20 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm14 nm
Die size123 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature100 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-8550U and Core i9-10900KF compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketFCBGA1356,FC-BGA1356FCLGA1200
Power consumption (TDP)15 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i9-10900KF. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shift+no data
My WiFi+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access+no data
Smart Response+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+

Security technologies

Core i7-8550U and Core i9-10900KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++
Secure Key++
Identity Protection++
SGXYes with Intel® MEYes with Intel® ME
OS Guard++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i9-10900KF are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i9-10900KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR4-2933
Maximum memory size32 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth38.397 GB/s45.8 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel UHD Graphics 620N/A
Max video memory32 GBno data
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video+no data
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.15 GHzno data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-8550U and Core i9-10900KF integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data
eDP+no data
DisplayPort+-
HDMI+-
DVI+no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i9-10900KF integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support+no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2304@24Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP4096 x 2304@60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096 x 2304@60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i9-10900KF integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX12no data
OpenGL4.4no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-8550U and Core i9-10900KF.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes1216

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-8550U 3.85
i9-10900KF 14.17
+268%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-8550U 6118
i9-10900KF 22511
+268%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-8550U 878
i9-10900KF 1765
+101%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-8550U 2622
i9-10900KF 9037
+245%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 3.85 14.17
Recency 21 August 2017 30 April 2020
Physical cores 4 10
Threads 8 20
Power consumption (TDP) 15 Watt 125 Watt

i7-8550U has 733.3% lower power consumption.

i9-10900KF, on the other hand, has a 268.1% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 2 years, and 150% more physical cores and 150% more threads.

The Core i9-10900KF is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-8550U in performance tests.

Be aware that Core i7-8550U is a notebook processor while Core i9-10900KF is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-8550U and Core i9-10900KF, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-8550U
Core i7-8550U
Intel Core i9-10900KF
Core i9-10900KF

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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