Intel Core i9-10900K

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Intel Core i9-10900K
We feel in terms of performance the Core i9-10900K is a tough sell and it's been reduced to become a niche product. Who should want to buy the 10900K? Perhaps someone who wants ultimate gaming performance and better video rendering than a 10700K, but for whatever reason doesn’t want to sacrifice some gaming performance in favor of even better video rendering, at a lower price with the 3900X.
- As reviewed by TechSpot on May 2020
10
Cores
20
Threads
3.7 GHz
Base Clock
5.3 GHz
Boost Clock
Socket LGA 1200
Socket
125 W
TDP
Intel UHD Graphics 630
Integrated Graphics
$620
Price
Release date:Apr 30, 2020Price at Launch:$488
Cores:10Threads:20
Base Clock:3.7 GHzBoost Clock:5.3 GHz
Type:DesktopMultithreading:Yes
L2 Cache:2.5 MBL3 Cache:20 MB
Box Cooler:NoTDP:125 W
Socket:Socket LGA 1200Memory Support:DDR4‑2933
Codename:Comet LakeProcess Size:14 nm
Integrated Graphics:YesiGPU Model:Intel UHD Graphics 630
NPU:NoPCIe Support:PCIe  3.0, 16 Lanes
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Performance Benchmarks

All benchmark data reflects aggregated results from dozens of tests conducted in TechSpot’s labs and compiled from our full library of CPU reviews. Single-core productivity scores are based primarily on Cinebench and Adobe Photoshop workloads. Multi-core results draw from Cinebench, Blender, Corona Benchmark, 7-Zip, Adobe Premiere Pro, and shader compilation tests. CPU gaming benchmarks are all 1080p runs (explainer) as published on TechSpot.

Single-Core Productivity

Multi-Core Productivity

Gaming Performance

Price History

Intel Core i9-10900K pricing

Last 6 months
Price Date
Current $620 Dec 15, 2025
Highest* $875 Sep 24, 2025
Lowest* $345 Jan 1, 2025
Average $540
* Prices are based on listings from Newegg and other major retailers over the past 12+ months.
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Reviews and Ratings

79

Average Score

Based on 22 reviews

9.4

User Score

Based on 1,267 reviews

Reviewers Liked

  • Fastest gaming performance
  • Strong in both single- and multi-threaded applications
  • Requires new motherboard socket, but compatible with existing mainstream Intel coolers
  • Chipset with upgraded networking
  • Good potential for overclocking

Reviewers Didn't Like

  • GPU has far greater impact on fps
  • Thermal output and cooling requirements
  • AMD's 12-core Ryzen 3900X is a formidable foil, especially at current prices
  • Z490 motherboards are expensive
  • PCIe 3.0 interface
  • Power hungry

All the data we've gathered provides real insight into how AMD and Intel CPU architectures compared over the past decade for gaming. We've seen AMD come from nowhere to often beating Intel, while the latter has made smaller steps in pure architecture...

By TechSpot on

Do you need to buy a Core i9 for gaming, and is a Core i3 sufficient for general desktop work? How about upgrading to a Core i5 if it's only $50 more, and how much faster is that going to be? Generally speaking, our CPU reviews provide more than enough...

By TechSpot on
80

We feel in terms of performance the Core i9-10900K is a tough sell and it's been reduced to become a niche product. Who should want to buy the 10900K? Perhaps someone who wants ultimate gaming performance and better video rendering than a 10700K, but for whatever reason doesn’t want to sacrifice some gaming performance in favor of even better video rendering, at a lower price with the 3900X.

By TechSpot on
70

Gaming has always been a huge deal but it gained even greater significance in the past year of the pandemic. Left with nowhere to go, many people turned to their PCs, consoles, and phones, to while away the hours and the days. Regardless of what kind of...

By hardwarezone.com.sg on
80

Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Windows CentralWho it's forIf you need the best CPU around for gamingIf you're looking for excellent single and multi-core performanceIf you want an unlocked part that's easy to overclockWho it isn't forIf you want to slot...

By windowscentral.com on
90

The hardest part about reviewing the Intel Core i9-10900K is that I have no way of directly comparing it to its direct competitors, the 12-core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and the 16-core AMD Ryzen 9 3950X, both of which are build on a 7nm process. Those support...

By Neowin on
85

We fully expected Core i9-10900K would deliver storming performance, and it does.We fully expected that ten cores would yield some benefit over eight cores, and they do.We had little doubt that Intel would deliver the claimed All Core Turbo Frequency...

By Kitguru.net on
70

Intel's 10th Generation Core i9-10900K mainstream flagship CPU excels in elite gaming scenarios, but its aging architecture can't quite keep pace with AMD's newer, nimbler 7nm designs on value and multi-threaded performance.

By PCMag on
90

Sin embargo, lo que juega más en su contra es el precio, pues sale a la venta por nada menos que 570 euros, un precio que comparado con los 540 euros del i9-9900K puede parecer hasta barato con un 20% de núcleos extra, pero a costa de una nueva plataforma que aporta básicamente nada.

By El Chapuzas Informatico on
90

In the end, Intel's has clearly upgraded their entire line-up of mainstream processors, which now offer more cores, higher clocks, and ultimately more performance. The platform has been updated with the new Z490 chipset and introductory CPU pricing at the high end is somewhat lower than the previous-gen.

By HotHardware on
90

The Core i9-10900K is a solid processor that is the best Intel can do for now. Users wanting more multitasking muscle ought to look at AMD Ryzen 9 instead, but for gamers with cash to spare, Intel remains the premier choice.

By Bit-Tech on
92

Lo que menos nos gusta es su precio de 569,90 euros. ¿Es la mejor opción? Si quieres jugar al máximo siempre y quieres hacer multitareas es de las mejores alternativas. Pero estando el 3900X con un precio de -100 euros nos hace dudar mucho. ¿Qué piensas? ¿Crees que merece la pena?

By Profesional Review on
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