Questions and answers about 10th generation Intel desktop chips
The Intel launched its processors Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, and Core i9 desktop in April with high performance promise. The most powerful of them, Core i9 10900K, is called by the manufacturer “the fastest in the world for games “, with 10 cores, 20 threads, and up to 5.3 GHz speed. The new line also comes with a 10 nm process and has gained in performance and efficiency, bringing lower TDP.
The NUpgrade separated six questions and answers about 10th generation Intel desktop chips and get your following key questions.
Are they even faster?
Yes. The new chips use a 10 nm (nanometer) manufacturing process, which guarantees performance and efficiency gains in the line models. According to Intel, the new chips are about 18% faster in editing 4K video compared to the previous generation, or up to 35% faster compared to Intel chips from three years ago.
Intel also promises higher gaming performance, citing results like 10% more frames per second on titles like PUBG, compared to the ninth generation CPU, or up to 67% compared to seventh-generation processors. These advantages are related to the increase in the number of cores and Hyper-Threading, present in all models. Higher speeds, exceeding the 5 GHz range with the turbo driven, are also decisive.
New integrated graphics card?

No, at least for now. So far, only a few notebook processors have been launched with the Iris Plus card, more powerful, such as the Core i7 1065G7, from the U line. According to the manufacturer, the integrated GPU allows games to run more responsively, achieving comparable performance. to the incoming GeForce and Radeon, in addition to speeding up more demanding jobs.
Among desktops, the solution available is the Intel UHD Graphics 630, which appears on both the entry-level Core i3 10100 and the more expensive models, such as the Core i7 10700K and Core i9 10900K. An important detail is that there are some 10th generation processors for sale without an integrated board, as is done by AMD with the Ryzen line.
Best in the world for games?

It depends. The discussion came from Intel, which classified the Core i9 10900K, top of the line in the series, as the “fastest gamer processor in the world”. The conclusion came after the chip ran at speeds of 5.4 GHz in its 10 cores and comparisons, carried out by Intel, which show superior performance to Core i9 9900KS, its direct predecessor, and to Ryzen 9 3950X, from rival AMD.
The Core i9 10900K may be the world’s fastest gaming processor. But the truth is that this does not necessarily mean that the entire tenth generation of Intel will be superior to AMD products in performance, or even earlier models from Intel, for example.
Do I need to buy a new motherboard?

Yes. Tenth generation processors for desktops use a new socket, as the physical fit of the chip on the board is called. The new LGA1200 replaces the LGA1151, used on previous Intel boards and incompatible with tenth generation releases. This means that your current motherboard for Intel CPUs will not accept the latest chips and that any upgrade to be made should take into account the investment in a new motherboard.
Do they support PCIe 4.0? And Wi-Fi 6?

Not for PCIe 4.0. Although AMD has taken the lead by offering support for fourth generation PCI Express buses since the 2019 Ryzen 3000, Intel has preferred to postpone the integration of technology support into its products. PCIe 4.0 is the next generation interface and offers double the bandwidth to connect devices such as video cards and next generation SSDs. Motherboard manufacturers are making up for the lack of PCIe 4.0 in Intel’s tenth generation by offering an overclocking system for PCIe 3.0, which allows them to extract a little more performance from these slots.
As for Wi-Fi 6, yes, Intel’s tenth generation processors support the standard. But, in fact, the technology doesn’t just depend on the chip used in the machine. Access to networks with the new standard will only be possible if there is a compatible router, as well as a network card with support for it installed in the computer.
Are they already on sale?
Yes. Processors started to reach the international market in May, and some of the main stores in the computer sector already offer tenth generation models. This is the case of the Core i9 10900K, which can be found for as little as $529 at the moment.
The Core i5 10400 is an intermediate product between Intel’s tenth-generation chips and also appears in national retail at prices starting at $279. At the moment, the simplest processor in the line is Core i3 10100, sold for $183.
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