Core i9-10850K

Name: Intel Core i9-10850K
Brand: Intel
Rating: 4.2 (62 reviews)

10 cores · 20 threads · up to 5.1 GHz on FCLGA1200.

4.2 · 62 votes

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Cores

Threads

Boost

5.1 GHz

L3 cache

20 MB

TDP

125W

Socket

FCLGA1200

Performance breakdown

Gaming13

Productivity12

Single-core13

Multi-core42

Power efficiency11

Lab scores

Performance score13

Cores10

Threads20

Boost clock (GHz)5.1 GHz

Estimated gaming FPS

Paired with a high-end GPU. CPU impact is largest at 1080p.

1080p29 fps

1440p23 fps

4K16 fps

Full specifications

Processor & cores

Architecture: Comet Lake-S
Process node: 14 nm
Socket: FCLGA1200
Release year: 2020
Total cores: 10
Threads: 20
Integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630

Clocks & cache

Base clock: 3.6 GHz
Boost clock: 5.1 GHz
L1 cache: 640 KB
L2 cache: 2.5 MB
L3 cache: 20 MB

Memory & platform

Memory support: DDR4-2933
Max capacity: 128 GB
Channels: 2
Max bandwidth: 45.8 GB/s
Base power (TDP): 125W
Max temperature: 100°C
PCIe: PCIe 3.0
Launch price: $453

Technologies

Instruction sets: SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
Extensions: AES-NI, AVX, AMD-V, VT-x, VT-d, Turbo Boost Max 3.0, TXT

Community Feedback

What Owners Say

Owners love that it trades blows with pricier chips for less cash. The usual gripe is it runs hot and needs a solid cooler to keep up.

Pros

Fast in heavy multi-core tasks
Handles gaming and work well
Overclocks easily without much fuss
Stays cool with decent cooling

Cons

Hot under heavy sustained loads
Outdated socket platform now
No meaningful gaming gains over cheaper models

Verdict

Our verdict on the Core i9-10850K

The Intel Core i9-10850K is a 2020 Comet Lake-S CPU that is essentially a slightly cheaper, binned version of the 10900K with a minor clock speed reduction.

Get it if you need strong multicore performance for heavy tasks and found a great deal on an older platform. Skip it if you're building new; modern chips offer better power efficiency and performance per dollar.