Ultra 9 185H vs i9-9960X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-9960X
2018
16 cores / 32 threads, 165 Watt
19.12
+3%
Core Ultra 9 185H
2023
16 cores / 22 threads, 45 Watt
18.56

Core i9-9960X outperforms Core Ultra 9 185H by a minimal 3% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-9960X and Core Ultra 9 185H processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking303319
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation4.71no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i9Intel Meteor Lake-H
Power efficiency10.9238.87
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2019)Meteor Lake-H (2023)
Release date8 October 2018 (6 years ago)14 December 2023 (less than a year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,684$640

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i9-9960X and Core Ultra 9 185H 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 cores16 (Hexadeca-Core)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads3222
Base clock speed3.1 GHz3.9 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz5.1 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/sno data
Multiplier31no data
L1 cache1 MB112 KB (per core)
L2 cache16 MB2 MB (per core)
L3 cache22 MB (shared)24 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nmIntel 4 nm
Die size484 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature85 °C110 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+no data
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-9960X and Core Ultra 9 185H 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
SocketFCLGA2066FCBGA2049
Power consumption (TDP)165 Watt45 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-9960X and Core Ultra 9 185H. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX++
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data+
SIPP-+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0++
Deep Learning Boost-+
Supported AI Software Frameworks-OpenVINO™, WindowsML, ONNX RT

Security technologies

Core i9-9960X and Core Ultra 9 185H technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-9960X and Core Ultra 9 185H are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-9960X and Core Ultra 9 185H. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666DDR5
Maximum memory size128 GB96 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth85.33 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AIntel® Arc™ graphics
Quick Sync Video-+
Graphics max frequencyno data2.35 GHz

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i9-9960X and Core Ultra 9 185H integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data4

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i9-9960X and Core Ultra 9 185H integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz (HDMI 2.1 TMDS) 7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz (HDMI2.1 FRL)
Max resolution over eDPno data3840x2400 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i9-9960X and Core Ultra 9 185H integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12.2
OpenGLno data4.6

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-9960X and Core Ultra 9 185H.

PCIe version3.05.0
PCI Express lanes448
PCI supportno data5.0 and 4.0

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.

i9-9960X 19.12
+3%
Ultra 9 185H 18.56

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.

i9-9960X 30254
+3%
Ultra 9 185H 29366

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.

i9-9960X 1385
Ultra 9 185H 2238
+61.6%

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.

i9-9960X 10376
Ultra 9 185H 11929
+15%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 19.12 18.56
Recency 8 October 2018 14 December 2023
Threads 32 22
Power consumption (TDP) 165 Watt 45 Watt

i9-9960X has a 3% higher aggregate performance score, and 45.5% more threads.

Ultra 9 185H, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 5 years, and 266.7% lower power consumption.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core i9-9960X and Core Ultra 9 185H.

Note that Core i9-9960X is a desktop processor while Core Ultra 9 185H is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-9960X and Core Ultra 9 185H, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Intel Core i9-9960X
Core i9-9960X
Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
Core Ultra 9 185H

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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