Intel Core i5-10600K

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Intel Core i5-10600K
In short, if you’re after a powerful gaming CPU but don’t care about entering the realm of diminishing returns, then the Core i5-10600K is the part to get. However, if you’re after something a little more well-rounded it’s hard to pass on the Ryzen 7 3700X with its ~30% better productivity performance.
- As reviewed by TechSpot on May 2020
6
Cores
12
Threads
4.1 GHz
Base Clock
4.8 GHz
Boost Clock
Socket LGA 1200
Socket
125 W
TDP
Intel UHD Graphics 630
Integrated Graphics
$177
Price
Release date:May 20, 2020Price at Launch:$262
Cores:6Threads:12
Base Clock:4.1 GHzBoost Clock:4.8 GHz
Type:DesktopMultithreading:Yes
L2 Cache:3 MBL3 Cache:12 MB
Box Cooler:NoTDP:125 W
Socket:Socket LGA 1200Memory Support:DDR4-2933
Codename:Comet LakeProcess Size:14nm
Integrated Graphics:YesiGPU Model:Intel UHD Graphics 630
NPU:NoPCIe Support:PCIe 3.0, 16 Lanes
Best CPUs 2020
Best CPUs 2020
Chosen by our editors as one of
the best products in its category

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 i5-10600K pricing

Last 6 months
Price Date
Current $177 Dec 15, 2025
Highest* $249 Oct 7, 2025
Lowest* $148 Oct 9, 2025
Average $194
* Prices are based on listings from Newegg and other major retailers over the past 12+ months.
TechSpot is supported by its audience. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Learn more here.

Reviews and Ratings

82

Average Score

Based on 14 reviews

9.6

User Score

Based on 2,057 reviews

Reviewers Liked

  • Top-notch gaming frame rates for a midrange processor
  • Good thermal performance
  • 6 cores with HyperThreading

Reviewers Didn't Like

  • Expensive for core/thread count relative to Ryzen 5s
  • Potential gains from casual overclocking eclipsed by Ryzen 7 3700X cost
  • No Turbo Boost Max 3 or TVB
  • Motherboards are expensive
  • No PCIe 4.0
  • Lacks stock cooler
80

Rocket Lake is finally here and today we're checking out the new Core i5-11600K. That's right, for this generation we're skipping a day-one look at the Core i9 and even the Core i7 part, and instead are going straight to the more affordable Core i5....

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
85

In short, if you’re after a powerful gaming CPU but don’t care about entering the realm of diminishing returns, then the Core i5-10600K is the part to get. However, if you’re after something a little more well-rounded it’s hard to pass on the Ryzen 7 3700X with its ~30% better productivity performance.

By TechSpot on
88

Recently we took a long hard look at the 10th generation Intel Core i9-10900K and walked away with a better opinion of it than what we went in with. The combination of ten cores and blazing fast, ‘out of the box' 5.3Ghz frequencies makes it a rather...

By realhardwarereviews.com on
80

Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Windows CentralYou should buy this if. You want the best gaming CPUMake no mistake here; the Intel Core i5-10600K is the best gaming CPU you'll find in the $300 category, and the chip outmatches all of its AMD rivals.You...

By windowscentral.com on
90

Intel's Comet Lake recently crashed into the market with the beastly $488 Core i9-10900K leading the charge, showing us that its aging Skylake architecture and hyper-refined 14nm++ process still has the gumption to keep the company's gaming performance...

By Tom's Hardware on
60

The Intel Core i5-10600K is an undeniably fast midrange gaming CPU, but at its launch price, it needs more daylight between it and Ryzen 7 chips above, and less between it and the Ryzen 5 ones below.

By PCMag on
85

Right now, platform cost of Comet Lake is too high, especially when it comes to price-sensitive users. AMD's Ryzen 5 3600 and 3600X are highly competitive, definitely more affordable and only with slightly lower performance, a trade-off that will make sense for a lot of gamers as they can invest the savings in a faster graphics card. If you are looking at building a 1080p gaming rig and feel like a 4c/8t CPU is sufficient, also check out the AMD Ryzen 3 3300X, which is fast enough in games and lets you save another $150 on the CPU, so you can go a tier higher on the GPU. I have a Core i5-10400F on the way, so stay tuned.

By TechPowerUp on
90

Honestly, I wish I had more to say about the Core i5-10600K in comparison with AMD's Ryzen 5 3600X, since that's its direct competitor. And if you're building a new PC, you're likely faced with that choice between the two, especially since you need a...

By Neowin on
70

Intel Core i5-10600K is a classic example of a product that is too little, too late. If Intel had delivered Hyper Threading with its 9th Gen parts, then this CPU would have made a perfectly decent showing as Core i5-9600K.More importantly it would have...

By Kitguru.net on
95

Intel has pulled another rabbit out of its hat with Comet Lake. The new 10th gen CPUs squeeze 14nm even further to gain more speed and cores at all price levels. Gamers looking for the absolute fastest processor will find some great performance from these new entries.

By TweakTown on
80

At default, the Core i5 1060K remains a competitive product offering proper gaming performance. The price level is okay, my main worry, however, is that the ecosystem is too expensive. Z490 motherboards will start at roughly 250 USD. So I do feel the...

By Guru of 3D on
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