Core i9-11900KF
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Core Ultra 7 155H
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Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook
This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.
Core i9-11900KF
2021Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,500 vs 17,650).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
- ❌Launch MSRP is still $513 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 155H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
- ❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 155H moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 7 155H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Core Ultra 7 155H
2023Why buy it
- ✅+13.9% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
- ✅+50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
- ✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
- ✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores), while Core i9-11900KF needs a discrete GPU.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-11900KF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
Core i9-11900KF
2021Core Ultra 7 155H
2023Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
Why buy it
- ✅+13.9% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
- ✅+50% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 16 MB).
- ✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.
- ✅40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores), while Core i9-11900KF needs a discrete GPU.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (15,500 vs 17,650).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB).
- ❌Launch MSRP is still $513 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 155H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
- ❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 155H moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 7 155H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-11900KF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
Quick Answers
So, is Core i9-11900KF better than Core Ultra 7 155H?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Games Benchmarks
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Path of Exile 2
| Preset | Core i9-11900KF | Core Ultra 7 155H |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | ||
| low | 295 FPS | 308 FPS |
| medium | 261 FPS | 278 FPS |
| high | 220 FPS | 232 FPS |
| ultra | 189 FPS | 198 FPS |
| 1440p | ||
| low | 242 FPS | 251 FPS |
| medium | 192 FPS | 201 FPS |
| high | 157 FPS | 163 FPS |
| ultra | 139 FPS | 143 FPS |
| 4K | ||
| low | 167 FPS | 173 FPS |
| medium | 135 FPS | 139 FPS |
| high | 104 FPS | 107 FPS |
| ultra | 91 FPS | 93 FPS |
Counter-Strike 2
| Preset | Core i9-11900KF | Core Ultra 7 155H |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | ||
| low | 615 FPS | 618 FPS |
| medium | 527 FPS | 532 FPS |
| high | 457 FPS | 434 FPS |
| ultra | 407 FPS | 389 FPS |
| 1440p | ||
| low | 601 FPS | 550 FPS |
| medium | 490 FPS | 457 FPS |
| high | 422 FPS | 385 FPS |
| ultra | 362 FPS | 328 FPS |
| 4K | ||
| low | 401 FPS | 340 FPS |
| medium | 339 FPS | 286 FPS |
| high | 320 FPS | 261 FPS |
| ultra | 275 FPS | 229 FPS |
League of Legends
| Preset | Core i9-11900KF | Core Ultra 7 155H |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | ||
| low | 615 FPS | 618 FPS |
| medium | 615 FPS | 618 FPS |
| high | 615 FPS | 618 FPS |
| ultra | 563 FPS | 618 FPS |
| 1440p | ||
| low | 615 FPS | 618 FPS |
| medium | 615 FPS | 618 FPS |
| high | 543 FPS | 618 FPS |
| ultra | 464 FPS | 543 FPS |
| 4K | ||
| low | 577 FPS | 618 FPS |
| medium | 480 FPS | 531 FPS |
| high | 427 FPS | 475 FPS |
| ultra | 357 FPS | 402 FPS |
Valorant
| Preset | Core i9-11900KF | Core Ultra 7 155H |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | ||
| low | 615 FPS | 618 FPS |
| medium | 615 FPS | 618 FPS |
| high | 615 FPS | 618 FPS |
| ultra | 615 FPS | 618 FPS |
| 1440p | ||
| low | 615 FPS | 618 FPS |
| medium | 615 FPS | 618 FPS |
| high | 615 FPS | 618 FPS |
| ultra | 615 FPS | 579 FPS |
| 4K | ||
| low | 615 FPS | 606 FPS |
| medium | 565 FPS | 538 FPS |
| high | 512 FPS | 486 FPS |
| ultra | 437 FPS | 423 FPS |
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-11900KF and Core Ultra 7 155H
Core i9-11900KF
Core i9-11900KF
The Core i9-11900KF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 24,585 points. Launch price was $299.
Core Ultra 7 155H
Core Ultra 7 155H
The Core Ultra 7 155H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 22 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 24 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,705 points. Launch price was $503.
Processing Power
The Core i9-11900KF packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 155H offers 16 cores / 22 threads — the Core Ultra 7 155H has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core i9-11900KF versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 155H — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900KF (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i9-11900KF uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 155H uses Meteor Lake-H (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-11900KF scores 24,585 against the Core Ultra 7 155H's 24,705 — a 0.5% lead for the Core Ultra 7 155H. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 15,500 vs 17,650 (13% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 155H). L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900KF vs 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 155H.
| Feature | Core i9-11900KF | Core Ultra 7 155H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16 | 16 / 22+100% |
| Boost Clock | 5.2 GHz+8% | 4.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.8 GHz+9% |
| L3 Cache | 16 MB (total) | 24 MB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 2 MB (per core)+700% |
| Process | 14 nm | 7 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Rocket Lake (2021) | Meteor Lake-H (2023) |
| PassMark | 24,585 | 24,705 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 15,500 | 17,650+14% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,384 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 12,433 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-11900KF uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 7 155H uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i9-11900KF versus LPDDR5x-7467, DDR5-5600 on the Core Ultra 7 155H — the Core Ultra 7 155H supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-11900KF supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 96 GB — 28.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-11900KF) vs 28 (Core Ultra 7 155H) — the Core Ultra 7 155H offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z590,B560 (Core i9-11900KF) and Meteor Lake SoC (Core Ultra 7 155H).
| Feature | Core i9-11900KF | Core Ultra 7 155H |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1200 | FCBGA2049 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0+25% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-3200 | LPDDR5x-7467, DDR5-5600+25% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+33% | 96 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | No | No |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 28+40% |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i9-11900KF has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i9-11900KF supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-11900KF) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core Ultra 7 155H). The Core Ultra 7 155H includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores)), while the Core i9-11900KF requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 7 155H targets Thin-and-light Performance / AI. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 155H rivals Ryzen 7 8840HS.
| Feature | Core i9-11900KF | Core Ultra 7 155H |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores) |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Thin-and-light Performance / AI |
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