Intel Core i9-10900KF

Intel Core i9-10900KF in 2025: Is It Worth Buying a Legend from the Past?
Review, Build Tips, and Comparison with Competitors
Key Features: Architecture and Performance
The Intel Core i9-10900KF processor, released in 2020, remains a popular choice for enthusiasts even in 2025. Its Comet Lake-S architecture is based on a 14nm manufacturing process—a technology that Intel has utilized for several generations. Despite its "age," the chip demonstrates impressive performance:
- 10 cores / 20 threads with a base clock of 3.7 GHz and a turbo boost of up to 5.3 GHz.
- 20 MB of L3 cache—sufficient for handling heavy tasks.
- TDP of 125 W—high power consumption, but justified for a top-tier CPU.
Key Features:
- Support for Thermal Velocity Boost technology for automatic overclocking.
- Manual overclocking capability (denoted by the "K" index).
- Absence of integrated graphics (denoted by the "F" index), which lowers the price.
Performance in 2025:
- In Geekbench 6: 1767 (Single-Core) and 9261 (Multi-Core). For comparison, the Ryzen 5 7600X (2023) scores around ~2200/11000 but comes at a higher price.
- In gaming (e.g., Cyberpunk 2077), the i9-10900KF delivers stable 90+ FPS when paired with an RTX 4070 at Ultra settings.
Compatible Motherboards: Choices in 2025
The processor uses the LGA 1200 socket, which is compatible with 400 and 500 series chipsets:
- Z490/Z590—best choice for overclocking (PCIe 4.0 support on Z590).
- B460/B560—budget boards with limited overclocking potential.
Examples of Relevant Models:
- ASUS ROG Strix Z590-E ($250): 14-phase VRM, Wi-Fi 6, two PCIe 4.0 slots.
- MSI B560M Pro-VDH ($130): Basic motherboard for non-overclocked builds.
Selection Tips:
- Ensure the BIOS is updated to a version that supports Comet Lake.
- A Z590 chipset board is needed for PCIe 4.0 compatibility.
Supported Memory: Only DDR4
The i9-10900KF works with DDR4:
- Official support: Up to DDR4-2933 MHz.
- Recommended: DDR4-3200/3600 MHz with low timings (CL16).
Example Configuration:
- 32 GB (2×16 GB) Kingston Fury Renegade DDR4-3600 CL16 ($110).
Important: DDR5 is not supported—this is a major limitation for builds in 2025.
Power Supply: Power Calculation
Considering the TDP of 125 W and the demands of modern graphics cards:
- Minimum PSU wattage: 650 W.
- Recommended: 750–850 W (for RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XT).
Tips:
- Choose power supplies with an 80 Plus Gold certification (e.g., Corsair RM750x, $130).
- Factor in peak power consumption when overclocking—the CPU can draw up to 250 W.
Pros and Cons of the Processor
Pros:
- High gaming performance due to clock speeds up to 5.3 GHz.
- Affordable price ($300–350 in 2025) compared to new Ryzen 7/9 processors.
- Good upgrade potential (e.g., from RTX 3070 to RTX 5070).
Cons:
- Outdated 14nm process—high heat generation and energy consumption.
- Lack of support for PCIe 5.0 and DDR5.
- Outperformed by Ryzen 9 5900X in multi-threaded tasks (rendering, encoding).
Use Cases
1. Gaming: Ideal for 1440p/4K gaming. Paired with RTX 4070 Ti, it provides 120+ FPS in Apex Legends.
2. Work Tasks: Suitable for video editing in Premiere Pro, but lags behind Ryzen 9 in Blender.
3. Streaming: Requires an external GPU with NVENC—CPU load will be minimal.
Comparison with Competitors
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X (12 cores): Better in multi-threaded tasks ($280), but weaker in gaming.
- Intel Core i5-13600K (14 cores): Newer, 15–20% faster, but more expensive ($400).
- Ryzen 7 7700X: Supports DDR5 and PCIe 5.0, but priced at $450.
Conclusion: The i9-10900KF is an appealing option if your total build budget is under $500.
Practical Build Tips
1. Cooling: Use AIO cooling (e.g., NZXT Kraken X63, $150) or a robust tower cooler (Noctua NH-D15, $100).
2. Case: Choose models with good airflow (Lian Li Lancool III, $140).
3. Overclocking: On Z590, stable 5.1 GHz can be achieved on all cores (voltage ~1.35 V).
Final Verdict: Who Should Consider the i9-10900KF?
This processor is worth considering for:
- Gamers who want to save money without sacrificing FPS.
- Enthusiasts building PCs with second-hand parts (LGA 1200 motherboards are currently inexpensive).
- Users upgrading an older system (from an i5-9400F or Ryzen 5 2600).
Target Audience: Those seeking a balance between price and performance in 2025. If you don't need PCIe 5.0 or DDR5, the i9-10900KF remains a smart choice.
Prices are valid as of April 2025. With proper configuration, this processor will handle modern tasks for several more years—the key is to ensure adequate cooling!
Basic
CPU Specifications
Memory Specifications
Miscellaneous
Benchmarks
Compared to Other CPU
Share in social media
Or Link To Us
<a href="https://cputronic.com/index.php/cpu/intel-core-i9-10900kf" target="_blank">Intel Core i9-10900KF</a>