Intel · Core i9 · 2020 · LGA1200
The Intel Core i9-10900K is a desktop processor with 10 cores, released in 2020 at an MSRP of $299. It is part of the Core i9 lineup, using the 10th Gen platform, and fits the LGA1200 socket. Internally, it is built on the "Comet Lake" architecture. Thanks to Intel Hyper-Threading, each core can handle two instruction streams simultaneously, yielding a total of 20 threads for improved parallelism. The Core i9-10900K has a base clock of 3.7 GHz and can boost up to 5.3 GHz depending on workload and thermal headroom. Intel manufactures the "Comet Lake" silicon on a 14nm process node. The multiplier is unlocked, making overclocking straightforward. This processor supports DDR4 memory. With a TDP of 125W, the Core i9-10900K sits in a typical power envelope for a modern desktop CPU. Integrated graphics are provided by the UHD 630 solution, so a discrete GPU is not required for display output. The cache hierarchy consists of 32KB/core of L1, 2.5MB of L2, and 20MB of L3 cache.
The last 14nm Intel desktop flagship before the architectural shift to Rocket Lake, and the final generation to offer 10 cores at the top of the mainstream stack before Alder Lake's hybrid design changed how core counts were structured. Known for running hot under sustained load, often requiring high-end cooling to sustain its boost clocks.
| Brand | Intel |
|---|---|
| Family | Core i9 |
| Series | 10th Gen |
| Architecture | Comet Lake |
| Type | Desktop |
| Launch year | 2020 |
| Cores | 10 |
| Threads | 20 |
| Base clock | 3.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.3 GHz |
| L1 cache | 32KB/core |
| L2 cache | 2.5MB |
| L3 cache | 20MB |
| TDP | 125W |
| Socket | LGA1200 |
| Process | 14nm |
| Memory type | DDR4 |
| Integrated graphics | UHD 630 |
| Chipsets | Z490, H470, B460, H410 |
| Launch MSRP | $299 |
| Part number | BX8070110900K |
| OEM / tray part number | CM8070104282844 |