Intel Core i9-10900K
Intel's 10-core Comet Lake flagship on LGA1200, with 20 threads and the highest boost clock Intel offered at launch in 2020.
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Why we rate it
- Ten cores with HyperThreading
- Unlocked for overclocking on Z490
- Intel's LGA1200 flagship at its launch
- Very cheap on the used market
- LGA1200 is end of life
- Zen 3 competitive at similar prices
Where the Intel Core i9-10900K wins and loses
Specifications
General info
Cores and threads
Watch it in action
Intel Core i9-10900K vs Intel Intel Core i7-9700
| IntelIntel Core i9-10900KThis page | IntelIntel Core i7-9700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 75 /100 | 75 /100 |
| Core count | 10Better | 8 |
| Thread count | 20Better | 8 |
| Boost clock | — | 4.7 GHz |
Is the Intel Core i9-10900K right for you?
For builders with an existing Z490 board wanting 10 cores at the top of the platform, the 10900K at a low used price is the right pick.
LGA1200 is dead. New builds get more from LGA1700 or AM4 Zen 3 at similar budgets.
Before you buy
Up to 5.3 GHz via Turbo Boost Max 3.0, the highest on the LGA1200 platform. This isn't in the catalog spec for this listing but matches the chip's known specification.
The 10850K has a 5.2 GHz boost versus 5.3 GHz on the 10900K. Otherwise identical. Buy whichever is cheaper on the used market.
Intel 400-series chipset boards only: Z490, B460, H470, H410. Not compatible with 500-series boards for 11th gen Intel.
Yes for 1080p gaming at budget prices. Zen 3 chips at comparable used prices deliver better gaming IPC. Best suited for LGA1200 system upgrades.
Alternatives & similar cpus
