Name: Intel Core i9 10900E
Brand: Intel

Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core i9 10900E

Overall score

6.1

Hide

Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you prefer to choose a processor reviewed and selected by many other buyers.

Platform

7.9

Hide

Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel

Processor type

What it is: The kind of system the processor is built for, such as desktop PCs, laptops, workstations, or servers.

When it matters: When you want a processor meant for the kind of machine you are actually building or buying, rather than a chip aimed at a different class of system.

Importance: HIGH

CPU socket

What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.

When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.

Importance: HIGH

Chipset

What it is: The motherboard chipset families officially meant to work with the processor.

When it matters: When you are checking whether a CPU will work with the motherboard features and platform you plan to use.

Importance: HIGH

CPU architecture

What it is: The processor family or design generation behind the chip, such as Zen 4 or Raptor Lake.

When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs across generations and want a clearer sense of their design age, feature level, and expected performance class.

Importance: HIGH

Performance

6.5

Hide

N. of physical cores

What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.

When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 8+

CPU threads

What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.

When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 16+

Threads per core

What it is: The number of threads each physical core can handle at once.

When it matters: When you want to understand how much thread-level parallelism each core can provide in multitasking or heavily threaded work.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 2

CPU boost clock speed

What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.

When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >4.7 GHz

CPU base clock speed

What it is: The processor's normal all-core starting frequency before boost behavior raises clocks temporarily.

When it matters: When you care about steadier performance in longer workloads rather than short burst speed alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

Cache & Architecture

4.3

Hide

Semiconductor size

What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.

When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <10 nm

Foundry

What it is: The semiconductor manufacturer that physically fabricates the processor chip.

When it matters: When process source, manufacturing generation, or foundry differences matter to your comparison more than day-to-day performance alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

L3 cache

What it is: The total amount of L3 cache available on the processor.

When it matters: When you want better performance in cache-sensitive workloads and games.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=16 MB

L2 cache

What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.

When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6 MB

L1 cache

What it is: The total amount of L1 cache built into the processor, which sits closest to the cores.

When it matters: When you are comparing low-level CPU design details rather than the broader performance picture buyers usually notice first.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=512 KB

Memory & PCIe

6.0

Hide

DDR memory version

What it is: The RAM generation the processor is designed to support, such as DDR4 or DDR5.

When it matters: When you need the CPU to match the kind of memory platform you want to buy or reuse.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: DDR5

Maximum memory speed

What it is: The highest official memory speed supported by the processor.

When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4800 MHz

Max memory speed (JEDEC)

What it is: The highest official RAM speed the processor supports under standard JEDEC settings, before any memory overclocking profiles are applied.

When it matters: When officially supported stock RAM speed matters more than XMP, EXPO, or manual memory tuning.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5600 MHz

Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)

What it is: The highest memory speed supported through XMP or EXPO profiles.

When it matters: When you want faster RAM through memory profiles.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5200 MHz

Maximum memory capacity

What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.

When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

Integrated Graphics

7.1

Hide

Integrated graphics

What it is: Includes built-in graphics, so the system can output video without a separate graphics card.

When it matters: When you want the PC to work without a dedicated GPU, or you are building an office, media, compact, or troubleshooting-friendly system.

Importance: HIGH

Integrated GPU model

What it is: The model name of the integrated graphics processor, if present.

When it matters: When you plan to use the CPU's built-in graphics.

Importance: MEDIUM

Integrated GPU execution units

What it is: The number of execution units available in the integrated graphics part of the processor.

When it matters: When you plan to rely on built-in graphics and want a better sense of its light gaming, display, or media capability.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=24

Integrated GPU base frequency

What it is: The base operating frequency of the integrated GPU.

When it matters: When integrated graphics performance matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=350 MHz

Integrated media encoders/decoders

What it is: The hardware media formats the processor can encode or decode directly.

When it matters: When you stream, edit video, or rely on hardware media acceleration.

Importance: LOW

H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), VP8 (HW decode/encode), MPEG-2 (HW decode), VC-1

Power & Thermal

6.1

Hide

TDP (Thermal design power)

What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.

When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <30 W

Base power (PL1)

What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.

When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <30 W

Boost power (PL2)

What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.

When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <50 W

Tau (power duration limit)

What it is: The time limit the CPU can stay at higher boost power before dropping toward sustained power.

When it matters: When you want to understand turbo behavior under longer loads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=28 s

Configurable TDP

What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.

When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.

Importance: LOW

Intel Core i9 10900E vs the average processor

Why is Intel Core i9 10900E better than the average processor?

Hide

12 more CPU threads
Intel Core i9 10900E has more CPU threads than the average processor (20 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.
When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: 16+
Intel Core i9 10900E has more CPU threads than the average processor (20 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.20 vs 8
4 more CPU cores
Intel Core i9 10900E has more CPU cores than the average processor (10 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: 8+
Intel Core i9 10900E has more CPU cores than the average processor (10 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.10 vs 6
Supports memory overclocking
Intel Core i9 10900E supports memory overclocking, the average processor does not.
What it is: Allows memory speeds beyond official stock settings through manual tuning or profile-based overclocking.
When it matters: When you want to push RAM performance higher than stock support allows, especially in enthusiast or gaming builds.
Importance: MEDIUM
Intel Core i9 10900E supports memory overclocking, the average processor does not.
2.5x larger L3 cache
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher L3 cache than the average processor (20 MB vs 8 MB). The average processor has L3 cache of 8 MB.
What it is: The total amount of L3 cache available on the processor.
When it matters: When you want better performance in cache-sensitive workloads and games.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=16 MB
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher L3 cache than the average processor (20 MB vs 8 MB). The average processor has L3 cache of 8 MB.20 MB vs 8 MB
9.3% higher boost clock
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher boost clock speed than the average processor (4.7 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >4.7 GHz
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher boost clock speed than the average processor (4.7 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.4.7 GHz vs 4.3 GHz
78.4% higher PassMark score
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (18,785 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
What it is: A benchmark score that gives a broad idea of overall processor performance.
When it matters: When you want a quick overall performance comparison.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >19000
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (18,785 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.18,785 vs 10,532.5
2x more memory capacity
Intel Core i9 10900E has more maximum memory capacity than the average processor (128 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >=128 GB
Intel Core i9 10900E has more maximum memory capacity than the average processor (128 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.128 GB vs 64 GB
16.6% better single-core performance
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (2,894 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
What it is: A benchmark score that reflects single-core CPU performance.
When it matters: When you care about responsiveness in lighter or older software.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >3200
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (2,894 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.2,894 vs 2,483
Modern CPU socket
Intel Core i9 10900E uses a more modern CPU socket than the average processor (LGA1,200 vs FP2).
12 more CPU threads
Intel Core i9 10900E has more CPU threads than the average processor (20 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
4 more CPU cores
Intel Core i9 10900E has more CPU cores than the average processor (10 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
9.3% higher boost clock
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher boost clock speed than the average processor (4.7 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
78.4% higher PassMark score
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (18,785 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
16.6% better single-core performance
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (2,894 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
2.5x larger L3 cache
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher L3 cache than the average processor (20 MB vs 8 MB). The average processor has L3 cache of 8 MB.
66.7% larger L1 cache
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher L1 cache than the average processor (640 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
16.7% more L3 per core
Intel Core i9 10900E has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
Supports memory overclocking
Intel Core i9 10900E supports memory overclocking, the average processor does not.
2x more memory capacity
Intel Core i9 10900E has more maximum memory capacity than the average processor (128 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.

Why is Intel Core i9 10900E worse than the average processor?

Hide

No crypto acceleration
Intel Core i9 10900E does not include crypto acceleration, the average processor does.
Narrower instruction support
Intel Core i9 10900E supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
8.9% lower Cinebench R20 single-core score
Intel Core i9 10900E has a lower Cinebench R20 single-core score than the average processor (441 vs 484). The average processor scores 484 in Cinebench R20 single-core.
Less advanced microarchitecture
Intel Core i9 10900E uses a less advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Comet Lake vs Kaby Lake).
16.7% larger process node
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
50% less L2 per core
Intel Core i9 10900E has less L2 cache per core than the average processor (0.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
15.8% larger die size
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher die size than the average processor (206.1 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².
3.5x higher boost power
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher boost power draw than the average processor (224 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.
44.4% higher base power
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher base power draw than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
44.4% higher TDP
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher TDP than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
Less advanced microarchitecture
Intel Core i9 10900E uses a less advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Comet Lake vs Kaby Lake).
What it is: The internal core-design codename used for this processor generation.
When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs at a deeper design level and want to identify the exact architecture behind marketing names.
Importance: LOW
Intel Core i9 10900E uses a less advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Comet Lake vs Kaby Lake).Comet Lake vs Kaby Lake
3.5x higher boost power
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher boost power draw than the average processor (224 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.
What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.
When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <50 W
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher boost power draw than the average processor (224 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.224 W vs 64 W
16.7% larger process node
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.
When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: <10 nm
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.14 nm vs 12 nm
44.4% higher base power
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher base power draw than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <30 W
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher base power draw than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.65 W vs 45 W
50% less L2 per core
Intel Core i9 10900E has less L2 cache per core than the average processor (0.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
What it is: The amount of L2 cache available to each CPU core.
When it matters: When you are comparing per-core cache resources in deeper architectural analysis.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=1 MB/core
Intel Core i9 10900E has less L2 cache per core than the average processor (0.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.0.25 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core
8.9% lower Cinebench R20 single-core score
Intel Core i9 10900E has a lower Cinebench R20 single-core score than the average processor (441 vs 484). The average processor scores 484 in Cinebench R20 single-core.
What it is: A Cinebench R20 benchmark score that reflects single-core CPU performance.
When it matters: When you care about lighter workloads, interface responsiveness, or software that still depends heavily on one fast core.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >600
Intel Core i9 10900E has a lower Cinebench R20 single-core score than the average processor (441 vs 484). The average processor scores 484 in Cinebench R20 single-core.441 vs 484
44.4% higher TDP
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher TDP than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.
When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: <30 W
Intel Core i9 10900E has a higher TDP than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.65 W vs 45 W
No crypto acceleration
Intel Core i9 10900E does not include crypto acceleration, the average processor does.
What it is: Built-in hardware support for accelerating encryption and cryptographic tasks.
When it matters: When encryption speed or secure workloads matter to you.
Importance: LOW
Intel Core i9 10900E does not include crypto acceleration, the average processor does.AES vs AES, SHA

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Core i9 10900E?

High core count with 10 cores and 20 threads for strong multitasking performance.
Competitive multi-threaded performance, notably faster than the i9-10900T variant.
Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 allows for operation without a dedicated GPU.
Lower 65W TDP makes it more suitable for thermally constrained or embedded environments compared to 'K' series models.
Includes support for Intel Turbo Boost Max 3.0 and Thermal Velocity Boost technologies.

What customers dislike about Intel Core i9 10900E?

Locked multiplier prevents traditional overclocking, limiting performance gains for enthusiasts.
Lower base clock (2.8 GHz) compared to the unlocked i9-10900K.
Default 65W power limit can 'throttle' or restrict performance under heavy, sustained workloads.
No support for PCIe Gen 4.0, which was a standard feature on competing AMD chips of that era.
Some users report high operating temperatures even with liquid cooling under specific workloads.
Lacks ECC memory support, which may be a drawback for certain workstation or server applications.

Expert reviews

browser.geekbench.com

29/03/2026

Intel Core i9-10900E Benchmarks - Geekbench Browser

The Intel Core i9-10900E is a 10-core, 20-thread Comet Lake processor designed for the LGA 1200 socket, featuring a 2.8 GHz base clock and a 4.7 GHz boost, often used in embedded, low-power, 65W TDP scenarios. On Geekbench 6, it delivers solid multi-threaded performance with scores around 7700, balancing high core counts with power efficiency. Key benefits include this high...Read more

cpubenchmark.net

Intel Core i9-10900E @ 2.80GHz - PassMark CPU Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-10900E is a 10-core, 20-thread Comet Lake processor for the LGA 1200 socket, featuring a 2.80 GHz base clock, 4.7 GHz turbo frequency, and a 65W TDP. It offers high efficiency for embedded systems and supports 128 GB of DDR4-2933 RAM, along with integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630. The CPU achieves a PassMark score of 19,048, providing strong multi-threaded...Read more

01/04/2020

Intel Core i9-10900E @ 2.80GHz - CPU Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-10900E is a 10th-gen Comet Lake processor with 10 cores and 20 threads, tailored for embedded systems, that achieves a PassMark score of roughly 19,332. It is designed to balance power efficiency with performance, operating at a 65W TDP while offering a 4.7 GHz max turbo frequency. Key benefits include this 65W TDP for thermally constrained environments, integrated...Read more

28/03/2026

The Intel Core i9-10900E is a 10-core, 20-thread Comet Lake processor designed for desktop and embedded applications with a 65W TDP. It features a 2.80 GHz base clock and up to 4.70 GHz boost, providing solid performance for multi-threaded tasks, with a PassMark score of approximately 18,785–19,332 and integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630. Pros include high core-to-power efficiency,...Read more

valid.x86.fr

01/02/2026

CPU-Z Benchmark for Intel Core i9-10900E (Single-Thread)

This CPU-Z validator entry confirms a high-end benchmark for an AMD Ryzen 9 5900X (12-core/24-thread) on an ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR VIII HERO motherboard with 32GB of DDR4 memory. The submission provides a, validated record for comparing raw processing power against global results, showcasing the chip's ability to handle intensive, high-throughput tasks. CPU-Z VALIDATORA major advantage...Read more

CPU-Z Single-Thread Benchmark for Intel Core i9-10900E

The CPU-Z benchmark result for validation link 8lid9f showcases an AMD Ryzen 7 8700G, a powerful 8-core, 16-thread APU based on the Zen 4 architecture. The system achieved a single-thread score of 684 and a multi-thread score of 6,947, highlighting its position in the upper-midrange tier. Key advantages include the AMD Radeon 780M integrated graphics for capable 1080p gaming without...Read more

[Various Dates]

The Intel Core i9-10900E is a 10-core, 20-thread processor from the 10th Gen Comet Lake family, designed specifically for embedded and industrial applications with a 65W TDP, 2.8 GHz base clock, and 4.7 GHz boost. It offers strong multi-threaded performance (roughly 29% better than the i9-10900T) and includes Intel vPro for reliability in professional environments. However, the...Read more

30/06/2026

The Intel Core i9-10900E is a 10-core, 20-thread Comet Lake processor (14nm) designed for embedded and desktop systems with a 2.8 GHz base clock and 65W TDP. It delivers respectable performance for its generation with a PassMark score of approximately 19,332, utilizing 20 MB of Smart Cache and UHD Graphics 630. Pros include high power efficiency for compact builds and strong...Read more

Intel Core i9 10900E Review | 78 Data compared

Best prices in UK

Best prices in US

Best rankings

Verdict

Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core i9 10900E

Intel Core i9 10900E vs the average processor

Why is Intel Core i9 10900E better than the average processor?

Why is Intel Core i9 10900E worse than the average processor?

Graphic comparison of Intel Core i9 10900E and other processors

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Core i9 10900E?

What customers dislike about Intel Core i9 10900E?

Expert reviews

Best alternatives

Compare Intel Core i9 10900E with other processors