Intel has launched its 10th generation Comet Lake lineup of desktop and laptop processors. Many enthusiasts were waiting for this new range of CPU. The new generation is always important because it defines the computational capability. These new 10th gen processors were much awaited because of the competition. Everyone wants to see better offerings from Intel as AMD already has many good offerings in the market. Intel still hasn’t managed to get a good yield of 10nm so they are still putting refined 14nm CPU in the market. However, this time they have managed to make these new chips better than last ones.
Each year we see a new generation of processors from Intel. In these many years, we have seen many noteworthy products. They have done remarkable improvements in different generations. For example, 1st gen was the benchmark starter for the whole Core lineup. Then Sandy Bridge made major improvements and remained as people’s favorite for a long time. After that 14nm came with Broadwell. Skylake brought DDR4 memory support and then Coffee Lake brought more cores and threads to the table. Last year’s Coffee Lake refresh chips had slight improvements with a small core clock boost.
Also Read: Latest Intel Processors Price in Nepal
This time Comet Lake processors bring improvements just like the old Coffee Lake series. We can see higher clocks, core counts, thread counts, hyperthreading, and increased cache memory. This means overall better performance in all Core i3, i5, i7, and i9 processors. These are good in comparison to Intel’s own predecessor products but the consumers compare it with competition’s offering. This is where these new chips need to shine. Let us see their specs and how well they compete.
Intel 10th Gen Desktop Processors Specifications
| CPU Name | Cores/ Threads | Cache (MB) | Base Clock/ Max Turbo Frequency (GHz) | TDP (Watts) |
| Core i3 10100-T | 4/8 | 6 | 3/3.8 | 35 |
| Core i3 10100 | 4/8 | 6 | 3.6/4.3 | 65 |
| Core i3 10300T | 4/8 | 8 | 3/3.9 | 35 |
| Core i3 10300 | 4/8 | 8 | 3.7/4.4 | 65 |
| Core i3 10320 | 4/8 | 8 | 3.8/4.6 | 65 |
| Core i5 10400T | 6/12 | 12 | 2/3.6 | 35 |
| Core i5 10400 | 6/12 | 12 | 2.9/4.3 | 65 |
| Core i5 10400 | 6/12 | 12 | 2.9/4.3 | 65 |
| Core i5 10500T | 6/12 | 12 | 2.3/3.8 | 35 |
| Core i5 10500 | 6/12 | 12 | 3.1/4.5 | 65 |
| Core i5 10600T | 6/12 | 12 | 2.4/4 | 35 |
| Corei5 10600 | 6/12 | 12 | 3.3/4.8 | 65 |
| Core i5 10600K | 6/12 | 12 | 4.1/4.8 | 125 |
| Core i5 10600KF | 6/12 | 12 | 4.1/4.8 | 125 |
| Core i7 10700T | 8/16 | 16 | 2/4.5 | 35 |
| Core i7 10700 | 8/16 | 16 | 2.9/4.8 | 65 |
| Core i7 10700F | 8/16 | 16 | 2.9/4.8 | 65 |
| Core i7 10700K | 8/16 | 16 | 3.8/5.1 | 125 |
| Core i7 10700KF | 8/16 | 16 | 3.8/5.1 | 125 |
| Core i9 10900T | 10/20 | 20 | 1.9/4.6 | 35 |
| Core i9 10900 | 10/20 | 20 | 2.8/5.2 | 65 |
| Core i9 10900 | 10/20 | 20 | 2.8/5.2 | 65 |
| Core i9 10900K | 10/20 | 20 | 3.7/5.3 | 125 |
| Core i9 10900K | 10/20 | 20 | 3.7/5.3 | 125 |
More Cores, Threads and Bigger Cache Memory
We have been asking for more core counts, hyperthreading, and bigger cache memory for a long time. Finally, Intel has delivered them and they look very good. Let us start with the budget favorite Core i3 processors. These are one of the best options for home PC for students, office works, and light gaming. All-new 10th gen Core i3 processors have 4 cores and 8 threads. Only Core i3 10100T and 10100 have 6 MB cache. All other new i3 have 8 MB Smart cache. The top Core i3 10320 has a base clock of 3.8 GHz and can go up to 4.6 GHz.
Core i5 processors get the best improvement with hyperthreading. Now they have 12 MB cache, 6 cores, and 12 threads. This adds a lot of value to the favorite mainstream processor of all time. Many people use Core i5 for gaming, light content creation and professional work. It is a balanced option and provides the best value for money. The Core i5 10400F and Core i5 10400 are one of the best value options. The i5 10600K has a base clock of 4.1 GHz and can go up to 4.8 GHz.
The new 10th generation Core i7 processors have 16 MB smart cache, 8 cores, and 16 threads. These things are now a very good option for gamers, professionals, and content creators. Then we have new Core i9 with 10 cores, 20 threads, and 20 MB cache memory. Intel claims these are one of the fastest desktop processors. It is clear that they do have an advantage of higher IPC and matured architecture. The i9 10900K is a very powerful chip that has a max turbo of 5.3 GHz.
Thinner Die and Thicker IHS for better thermals
10th gen desktop processors are now having more cores which means more heat production. In order to tackle this and keep the CPU in good temperature, Intel has changed somethings. This time Intel has decreased the size of the die and increased the (Integrated heat spreader) IHS size. The IHS is thicker which helps to spread the generated heat. The new die is about 40% thinner than 9th generation counterparts. It means the new powerful units can draw more power, give better performance, produce more heat, and also dissipate it.
Intel also has soldered IHS on top of the like Core i9 and Core i7 chips. All these help to improve the thermals and keep the temperature lower. This means that users can get higher clocks without generating higher heat. This helps to take benefit of new Thermal Velocity Boost technology and existing Max Turbo Frequency. One more important thing to keep note is that now all processors also have hyperthreading which means the overall performance from every unit is improved.
LGA 1200, DDR4-2933, Thermal Velocity Boost
The new 10th gen processors need new chipset and motherboard. There is a new LGA 1200 socket for these new CPUs. The boards from different partner manufacturers will hit the market soon. It might take a few months for a market like Nepal and India to see these at this global situation. New boards include different new features that come with the Comet Lake-S family. This includes 2.5-gigabit ethernet, WiFi-6, and DDR4 2933 support. The new Core i9 family supports high-frequency DDR4-2933 memory in dual channel. There is also a new Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB) which increases the frequency of the cores above Turbo Boost by assessing power and temperature.
The new DDR4-2933 memory support is only available in i7 and i9. But the new Intel TVB technology is only available in Core i9. The Core i5 and Core i3 processors only support DDR4 2666. Actually there are four types of new processors. One is a normal one like then we have T series which is low power at 35W. The products in T lineup have less frequency and less power TDP. Then there is an unlocked K series like i5 10600K and i9 10900K that have higher TDP like 125W. Finally, we have F series that doesn’t come with UHD Graphics 630.
These new chips are very promising and they do provide good value over predecessors. If you want to upgrade from Skylake or Kaby Lake desktop, then you can expect significant improvement. You can also see the difference if you are coming from 8th or 9th gen chips because the cache size core count and the thread count is higher now. The best thing we liked is an increment in core count in i9 from 8 cores to 10 and the inclusion of hyperthreading in Core i5.
PTPP, Overclock and Warranty
Intel has a Performance Tuning Protection Plan (PTPP) where they provide warranty or replacement for dead CPU. This means if your processors die or break down due to overclocking, you get a free replacement. This is one of the best RMA schemes but it is only applicable for unlocked SKU. It means all K, KF, X, and XE series products including Core i9, Core i7, and Core i5. Unlike last year, there is no unlocked Core i3. This PTPP shows the trust of Intel on its unlocked chips.
In this Performance Tuning Protection Plan users can perform overclocking on their unlocked CPU using Z series motherboard and get higher core clocks. Most of the time, the computer shuts itself down, freezes or resets the BIOS in case of a faulty overclock. However, if your chip gets fried, you can get a replacement. The purchase plan just costs $19.99 for all consumer-level K and K series products. However, it costs $29.99 for Core i9 10980XE and 10940X HEDT processors. It is a small price for the insurance and peace of mind for many overclocking enthusiasts.
