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#189 of 555
Overall rank
Core i9-10900K
10 cores · 20 threads · up to 5.2 GHz on FCLGA1200.
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Cores
10
Threads
20
Boost
5.2 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)5.2 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
- Process node
- 14 nm
- Socket
- FCLGA1200
- Release year
- 2020
- Total cores
- 10
- Threads
- 20
- Integrated graphics
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
Clocks & cache
- Base clock
- 3.7 GHz
- Boost clock
- 5.2 GHz
- L1 cache
- 640 KB
- L2 cache
- 2.5 MB
- L3 cache
- 20 MB
Memory & platform
- Memory support
- DDR4
- 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
- $488
Technologies
- Instruction sets
- SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
- Extensions
- AES-NI, AVX, VT-x, VT-d, Turbo Boost Max 3.0, TXT
Community Feedback
What Owners Say
Owners praise its raw speed for gaming and heavy tasks. The common gripe is it runs very hot, needing a big cooler.
Pros
- Flys through heavy multitasking like butter
- Gets games to their highest frame rates
- Overclocks easily to squeeze out more speed
- Stays impressively cool under serious load
Cons
- Needs a high-end cooler
- Power hungry under full load
- Not much faster than cheaper alternatives
Verdict
Our verdict on the Core i9-10900K
The Intel Core i9-10900K is a 2020 high-end desktop CPU with ten cores that runs hot and demands serious cooling to reach its peak boost speeds.
Get it if you need top-tier gaming speed and heavy multitasking without stepping up to a more expensive platform. Skip it if you’re building a new system today, since newer chips offer better performance and efficiency for the same money.
Buy it if…
- You're building a high-end gaming rig that won't be obsolete for years.
- You need top single-core speed for competitive esports and streaming.
- You already own a Z490 board and want the best drop-in upgrade.
Leaderboard
Its place in the overall top
3.5
180 votes
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