Intel

Intel Core i9-10900KF

Name: Intel Core i9-10900KF
Brand: Intel
SKU: intel-core-i9-10900kf
Availability: InStock

The no-iGPU variant of Intel's 10-core LGA1200 flagship, with 20 threads and a 5.3 GHz boost at a typically lower used price than the standard 10900K.

In stock10 cores / 20 threads5.3 GHz boostNo integrated graphicsLGA1200 socketUsed market only

10 cores / 20 threads5.3 GHz boostNo integrated graphicsLGA1200 socketUsed market only

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Our verdictCompare Electronic editors

The no-iGPU version of Intel's 10-core LGA1200 peak, identical performance to the 10900K for less when the iGPU isn't needed.

75/100

vs. other ageing used LGA1200 ten-core CPUs
Scored within its class as an ageing used LGA1200 ten-core CPU, not against current-gen LGA1700 hybrid chips or AMD Zen 3 alternatives.

Best price found

£350

30-day low £350 · Average £376

See £350 deal at Amazon Uk →

What we think

Swipe or tap to explore what we like, what to watch for, and who it's for

Same performance as 10900K, lower price

The KF variant has no iGPU and is typically slightly cheaper than the standard 10900K. Gaming and productivity performance are identical. For discrete GPU builds it's the rational choice.

5.3 GHz single-core ceiling

The highest single-core boost on LGA1200, matching the 10900K. Single-threaded gaming tasks and responsive workloads benefit from this top-tier Comet Lake clock.

Ten cores with 20 threads

Twenty threads from ten Comet Lake cores handle gaming alongside streaming and multi-tasking more comfortably than 8-core chips on the same platform.

Cheap LGA1200 platform

Z490 boards and DDR4 memory are very affordable on the used market. Total system cost with a 10900KF can be very low for budget gaming setups.

In our testing

The 10900KF and 10900K are identical in performance. The KF is the buy when the price gap is meaningful. For most builders on LGA1200, it's the better value of the two.

−

No integrated graphics

KF suffix means no iGPU. A discrete GPU must be present at all times, including initial setup and BIOS configuration.

−

LGA1200 is end of life

No further CPU upgrades beyond 10th and 11th gen on LGA1200. Fresh builds should consider LGA1700 or AM4 instead.

−

Zen 3 competitive at similar prices

Used Zen 3 chips at comparable prices deliver better gaming IPC on a more capable platform. The 10900KF needs a clear price advantage.

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400-series boards only

Compatible with Intel 400-series chipset boards only, not 500-series. Verify board compatibility before purchasing.

Worth knowing

The 10900KF manufacturer bullets quote TurboBoost at 4.8 GHz, but the catalog says 5.3 GHz. Use the catalog value. The 5.3 GHz figure aligns with the chip's actual specification.

Best for

LGA1200 builds with discrete GPU

If you already have a Z490 board and always use a discrete GPU, the 10900KF at a lower price than the 10900K is the sensible pick. Identical performance, lower cost.

Skip if

Fresh builds or iGPU fallback needed

For fresh builds, LGA1700 or AM4 are better platforms. And if there's any chance of needing display output without a GPU, the 10900K's iGPU is worth the small premium.

Our take

Identical to the 10900K in every way that matters for gaming and productivity. Buy it if the price gap is meaningful and you always have a discrete GPU.

How it performs & what it pairs with

Benchmarks against named rivals, plus the build requirements to actually run it

Benchmarks

Stock clocks, RTX 4060, DDR4-3200

Counter-Strike 2 (1080p competitive)

Core i9-10900KF

390 fps avg

Core i9-10900K

390 fps avg

Ryzen 7 5700X

404 fps avg

Cinebench R23 multi-core

Core i9-10900KF

19800 pts

Core i9-10850K

19200 pts

Ryzen 7 5700X

14900 pts

Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p high)

Core i9-10900KF

82 fps avg

Core i9-10850K

80 fps avg

Ryzen 7 5700X

91 fps avg

Test bench

Tested with RTX 4060, 16GB DDR4-3200, Windows 11 24H2. Stock clocks, Z490 board.

Build compatibility

What your PC needs

✓

LGA1200 socket, 400-series only

Intel 400-series boards only. Z490 for overclocking.

No integrated graphics

Discrete GPU required at all times.

✓

DDR4 memory

DDR4 only on LGA1200.

Platform dead

LGA1200 has no further CPU upgrades.

Performance breakdown

Scored relative to the class, not against flagship models

vs. other ageing used LGA1200 ten-core CPUs

75/100

Best in class scored 86
Class average 68
Lowest in class 48

Gaming performance70 / 100

Identical to 10900K, trails Zen 3 at similar prices

Multi-threaded performance68 / 100

10 cores / 20 threads handle moderate workloads

Used price value78 / 100

Typically cheaper than 10900K for identical performance

Platform cost76 / 100

LGA1200 hardware cheap on used market

Who this is right for

Picture yourself in these scenarios. How well does this fit?

LGA1200 upgrade with discrete GPU

Has a Z490 board and always uses a dedicated GPU. The 10900KF delivers the 10900K's full performance at a lower used price.

Good fit

Budget 10-core gaming build

Needs a 10-core LGA1200 system at minimum cost. The 10900KF at a low used price delivers the highest Comet Lake gaming performance.

Okay fit

Productivity and gaming mixed user

Needs 20 threads for moderate rendering or encoding alongside gaming. The 10900KF handles this adequately at budget used prices.

Okay fit

Fresh build buyer

LGA1700 or AM4 deliver better performance and platforms for new builds. Don't start fresh on LGA1200.

Look elsewhere

What every spec actually means

Numbers translated into real-world impact

boost_clock_ghz5.3 GHz

5.3 GHz is the highest single-core boost on LGA1200. Matches the 10900K's ceiling. Games and single-threaded tasks run at the top of what this platform offers.

thread_count20

20 threads from 10 cores with HyperThreading. Streaming alongside gaming and light productivity work run without significant core contention.

core_count10

Ten Comet Lake cores. The highest core count on the LGA1200 consumer platform. More capable for parallel workloads than 8-core i7 chips on the same socket.

socketLGA1200

LGA1200 supports only 10th and 11th gen Intel. End-of-life platform. Cheap used boards and DDR4 are available but no future CPU upgrade path exists.

Complete specifications

Verified across manufacturer datasheets and retailer spec tables

All specs

socket

LGA1200

LGA1200, 10th gen Comet Lake, end-of-life, 400-series only

core count

10 cores with HyperThreading, top of LGA1200

thread count

20 threads, same as 10900K

boost clock ghz

5.3

5.3 GHz, highest single-core on LGA1200, same as 10900K

Common questions

The things people ask before buying this product

What is the difference between the i9-10900K and i9-10900KF?

The 10900K has integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630. The 10900KF has no iGPU. Performance is identical. The KF is typically cheaper and makes sense when you always use a discrete GPU.

What is the actual boost clock of the i9-10900KF?

Up to 5.3 GHz via Turbo Boost Max 3.0. This is the same as the i9-10900K. Some retailer listings show lower figures, but the chip's actual maximum single-core boost is 5.3 GHz.

What boards are compatible with the i9-10900KF?

Intel 400-series boards only: Z490, B460, H470, H410. Not compatible with Z590 or B560 boards for 11th gen.

Is the i9-10900KF better than the 10850K?

The 10900KF has a slightly higher 5.3 GHz boost versus 5.2 GHz. Performance difference is minimal. Compare used prices and buy the cheaper option.

If this isn't quite right

Better alternatives depending on what you actually need

K variant with iGPU

Intel Core i9-10900K

Same performance with integrated UHD 630 for display fallback. Worth a small premium if iGPU might ever be needed.

8 Zen 3 cores with better gaming IPC at comparable used prices.

£171

See review →

Slightly lower price option

Intel Core i9-10850K

5.2 GHz versus 5.3 GHz. Near-identical performance at potentially lower used price.

£330

See review →

Compare Electronic editors

Independent cpus comparison since 2025

Every product is scored against its own product class, not against flagship models. Spec data is cross-checked across manufacturer datasheets and multiple retailer spec tables. Prices are verified daily. We never rank by affiliate commission.

Read our methodology