CPU Comparison
Intel Core i9-10980HK vs Intel Core i9-11980HK
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i9-10980HK is a high-end mobile processor from Intel's 10th Gen Comet Lake-H lineup, featuring 8 cores and 16 threads with a max turbo frequency of 5.3 GHz, designed for premium gaming and creator laptops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- Can handle small-scale CPU-based inference tasks
- Not suitable for training or large-scale inference workloads
- Intel Deep Learning Boost (AVX-512 VNNI) accelerates INT8 inference workloads.
- No dedicated NPU; AI acceleration is modest compared to later Core Ultra and Ryzen AI mobile chips.
Content Creation
Gaming
- High single-core boost benefits CPU-bound games
- Integrated graphics are only suitable for lightweight or older titles
- Actual gaming performance heavily depends on laptop's cooling and power delivery
- 5.0 GHz single-core turbo gives strong FPS in CPU-heavy titles.
- Most gaming laptops pair it with RTX 3070/3080-class GPUs, where the CPU is rarely the bottleneck at 1080p/1440p.
- Newer Alder Lake/Raptor Lake H/HX CPUs often deliver slightly better 1% lows and efficiency.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- High single-core and all-core turbo frequencies
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking
- 8 cores provide strong multi-threaded performance for mobile
- Configurable TDP offers flexibility for laptop designers
- Integrated graphics for basic display output and quick sync
Cons
- High power consumption and heat output under load
- Aging 14nm architecture lags behind newer AMD and Intel mobile CPUs
- Limited PCIe 3.0 lanes (16) from CPU
- Discontinued platform with no upgrade path
- Performance heavily dependent on laptop cooling solution
Pros
- 8 cores and 16 threads with high 5.0 GHz turbo
- 20 PCIe 4.0 CPU lanes for fast GPUs and storage
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking in supported laptops
- Strong single-threaded performance for gaming and light tasks
- Familiar x86 ecosystem with good software and driver support
Cons
- High power draw and heat at 45–65 W compared to newer mobile CPUs
- 10 nm SuperFin process is less efficient than Intel 7 and TSMC N5/N4
- No hybrid architecture; 8 big cores only, trailing newer HX chips in multi-thread
- Platform is EOL with no upgrade path beyond existing laptop designs
- Integrated UHD Graphics 32 EU is basic; a discrete GPU is required for serious gaming or compute
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i9-10980HK
- AMD Ryzen 9 4900HRival
High-End Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 4800HRival
High-End Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-10885HRival
High-End Mobile
- Intel Core i7-10875HRival
High-End Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 9 4900HSRival
Thin & Light Mobile
- Intel Core i7-10750HAlt
Similar gaming performance in most titles at a lower price point, with slightly lower power consumption.
Direct successor with higher clocks and improved 14nm process, though still behind AMD's contemporaries.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HXAlt
Newer Zen 3 architecture with superior IPC and efficiency, outperforming the 10980HK in most workloads.
- Apple M1 Pro/MaxAlt
For users in the Apple ecosystem, offering drastically better performance-per-watt for creative workloads.
Intel Core i9-11980HK
- AMD Ryzen 9 5980HXRival
High-End Mobile (Zen 3)
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HXRival
High-End Mobile (Zen 3)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-12900HKRival
High-End Mobile (Alder Lake-H)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-11950HRival
High-End Mobile (Tiger Lake-H)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-10980HKRival
High-End Mobile (Comet Lake-H)
- AMD Ryzen 9 7845HXAlt
Much higher multi-thread performance and better efficiency on a modern platform.
Significantly more cores and threads with stronger creator and multi-tasking performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 9 7945HXAlt
Top-end mobile Zen 4 CPU for users who need maximum multi-threaded performance.
- Intel Core i7-13700HXAlt
Good balance of price, performance and efficiency compared to older 11980HK.
Our Verdict on Each
A flagship mobile CPU of its time with excellent single-core performance and full overclocking support, but hampered by the aging 14nm process and high power draw under load.
Best for: Purchasing a used or discounted high-end laptop from 2020-2021 where the CPU is already integrated, and the price reflects its age.
Read the full reviewA powerful but power‑hungry 8‑core mobile CPU that delivers strong single‑core and gaming performance at 45–65 W, now outclassed by newer 12th/13th Gen Intel and Ryzen 7000 mobile chips in efficiency and multi‑thread.
Best for: Buying a used or discounted 11980HK gaming laptop where the CPU is already paired with a strong GPU and you prioritize raw CPU frequency over efficiency or platform longevity.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i9-10980HK or Intel Core i9-11980HK?
For gaming, the Intel Core i9-10980HK leads with a gaming performance score of 85/100 among Intel Core i9-10980HK and Intel Core i9-11980HK.
Do Intel Core i9-10980HK and Intel Core i9-11980HK use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i9-10980HK: FCBGA1440, Intel Core i9-11980HK: FCBGA1787), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i9-11980HK posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i9-11980HK (18,332). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.