CPU Comparison
Intel Core i9-8950HK vs Intel Core i9-9980HK
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i9-8950HK is a 6-core, 12-thread high-end mobile processor based on Intel’s Coffee Lake-H architecture, featuring a 2.9 GHz base clock, up to 4.8 GHz single-core Thermal Velocity Boost, and an unlocked multiplier for enthusiast laptops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Multi-threaded productivity workloads benefit significantly from the six cores, making it competitive for 2018-era content creation and professional applications.
Strong multi-threaded performance handles creator applications well, though modern alternatives are faster.
Gaming
Delivers strong gaming performance for its generation, capable of high-refresh-rate play in most titles, but modern mobile CPUs often match or beat it with better efficiency.
Competent for gaming at high refresh rates, but newer CPUs offer better performance and efficiency.
Virtualization
Good for light to moderate virtualization on a laptop, though memory and platform constraints limit scaling compared to desktop or workstation CPUs.
8 cores and 16 threads provide ample resources for running multiple virtual machines.
Efficiency
High power consumption for a mobile part, requiring robust cooling and limiting battery life under load compared to newer 10nm and later mobile designs.
14nm process consumes more power and generates more heat compared to modern 7nm+ mobile processors.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware; AI workloads run on CPU cores.
- Suitable for light CPU-based inference and small models, but not for serious training or large-scale inference.
- Modern mobile CPUs with NPUs or strong integrated GPUs are far better for AI tasks.
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- Can handle CPU-based inference for small models
- Far surpassed by modern NPUs and AI-focused processors
Content Creation
Gaming
- Strong single-core clocks up to 4.8 GHz help maintain high FPS in CPU-limited titles.
- 6 cores provide headroom for modern games that scale beyond four threads.
- Bottlenecked more by GPU and memory bandwidth than by CPU in many laptop configurations.
- Newer mobile CPUs often deliver similar or better gaming performance with lower power.
- High single-core clocks benefit game performance
- Capable of driving high-refresh-rate gaming with a discrete GPU
- Integrated UHD 630 is not suitable for modern gaming
- Outperformed by newer mobile CPUs in efficiency and integrated graphics
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Six cores and twelve threads for strong multi-threaded performance
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking on capable laptops
- High single-core boost up to 4.8 GHz via Thermal Velocity Boost
- Integrated UHD Graphics 630 for basic display and quick-sync encoding
- Established platform with mature drivers and firmware
Cons
- High power consumption and heat output for a mobile CPU
- End-of-life platform with no upgrade path beyond the laptop itself
- 14nm++ process is less efficient than newer 10nm and refined nodes
- Integrated graphics are only suitable for light workloads and older games
- Limited by laptop power delivery and cooling; real-world performance varies widely between designs
Pros
- 8 cores and 16 threads for excellent multi-threaded performance
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking enthusiasts
- High 5.0 GHz turbo boost for strong single-core performance
- Good balance of performance and power in the 45W TDP class
- Well-supported by major laptop OEMs in its generation
Cons
- Older 14nm manufacturing process limits efficiency
- Integrated UHD 630 graphics are obsolete for modern gaming
- Discontinued platform with no upgrade path beyond 9th Gen mobile
- High power consumption and heat under load compared to newer chips
- Outperformed by many 7nm+ mobile processors in both performance per watt and integrated graphics
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i9-8950HK
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-8850HRival
High-End Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-8750HRival
High-End Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-9880HRival
High-End Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 2700URival
Thin & Light Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 3750HRival
High-Performance Mobile
- Intel Core i7-9750HAlt
Similar or better performance with improved efficiency and platform features.
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HXAlt
Much better efficiency and modern features in a newer high-end laptop.
Hybrid architecture with significantly higher performance and efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- Apple M1 Pro/MaxAlt
Far superior performance-per-watt for macOS users doing creative workloads.
Intel Core i9-9980HK
- AMD Ryzen 9 4900HSRival
High-End Mobile
- Intel Core i9-10880HKRival
High-End Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 4800HRival
High-Performance Mobile
- Intel Core i7-10750HRival
High-Performance Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Efficiency Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 9 7945HXAlt
Far superior multi-threaded performance, efficiency, and modern platform features.
Dramatically better performance in every metric and a modern platform with DDR5 support.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 7840HSAlt
Excellent performance-per-watt with strong integrated Radeon graphics.
- Alt
Leading efficiency and integrated GPU performance for macOS users.
Compare head-to-head A balanced modern mobile CPU with good performance and efficiency, often at a lower cost.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A powerful unlocked mobile hexa-core CPU in its heyday, offering strong multi-threaded performance and overclocking headroom, but with high power demand and limited efficiency compared to newer mobile designs.
Best for: Used or clearance high-end laptop where the CPU is already installed and the price is low.
Read the full reviewA powerful mobile processor in its time, offering top-tier multi-threaded performance and overclocking headroom, but now outpaced by newer, more efficient chips with better integrated graphics.
Best for: Used high-performance laptop for gaming or content creation on a strict budget
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i9-8950HK or Intel Core i9-9980HK?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i9-8950HK comes out ahead with a score of 8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i9-8950HK or Intel Core i9-9980HK?
For gaming, the Intel Core i9-8950HK leads with a gaming performance score of 80/100 among Intel Core i9-8950HK and Intel Core i9-9980HK.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i9-9980HK has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i9-8950HK (95 W), Intel Core i9-9980HK (45 W).
Do Intel Core i9-8950HK and Intel Core i9-9980HK use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i9-8950HK: Intel BGA 1440, Intel Core i9-9980HK: BGA1440), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i9-9980HK has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i9-8950HK (6 cores), Intel Core i9-9980HK (8 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i9-8950HK posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i9-8950HK (10,200), Intel Core i9-9980HK (22). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.