Intel Core i9-10850K vs Intel Core i9-10900K

The Intel processors are second to none in performance, power, and durability. It is not surprising to note that they are still running the market. Though they have been facing tough competition from AMD over the last few years, they have managed to pull themselves up from each fight.

It is commendable that the manufacturer will stay afloat in the market and rein in the lost ground. Having said that, today, we are going to review two top-end models, the Intel Core i9-10850K processor vs the Intel Core i9-10900K processor.

The Core i9 models are known for their speed and performance. We can tell you one thing here: it will be a tough battle between the giants. Users have commended the models for their performance.

Is the price point going to play spoilsport in the end? We have to read the complete review to find that out. The Core i9-10850K processor is the counterattack to the AMD Ryzen 3900XT. Sadly, it was not as impressive as everybody expected.

The Intel Core i9-10850K processor is a good choice for a processor for the gaming device you plan to use. This model was released after the Core i9-10900K was released into the market. We were not able to make any sense of it.

The new i9-10850K model is almost similar in most aspects to the Core i9-10900K model, besides the 100 MHz lower-rated base. The boost clock frequency is slightly lower, and you also have a low quote.

Why did Intel want to use an unlocked 10-core/20-thread Socket LGA1200 processor, which is similar to the released unit? However, it came with just 100 MHz lower clocks. This model comes produced with Intel’s latest 14 nm “Comet Lake-S” silicon.

It is heartening to note that Intel is softening the AMD onslaught by producing models with more enhancements on them. In this 10th Generation, the maker provided it with core counts of 10. It was done so that the Core i9 brand extension would increase the L3 cache to 20 MB.

The clock speeds of around up to 5 GHz. You will want to know that the maker made the Comet Lake microarchitecture in the year 2019. It came with a low-power design. The Intel Core i9-10900K processor is a 10-core, 20-thread CPU that is currently the quickest gaming processor.

It may be highly arrogant of them, one might say, considering that AMD has been snuffing the competition from them. They could catch Intel off guard and took them by complete surprise. Besides, they could not make any worthy headway in moving to a 10nm node.

Unfortunately, AMD leads the pack with the 12-core Ryzen 9 3900X designed on the decent 7nm node. Let us read the review to learn more about these two amazing models. We have given the winner at the end of the post.

Intel Core i9-10850K vs Intel Core i9-10900K: Design & Features

What about the design & features of the processors? You can be assured that they come with amazing features that can give other models a run for their money. Of course, priced under $500, they need to perform well.

Let us read about them. The Intel Core i9-10850K processor comes with a terrific design to it. The model has 10 cores that are based on the Comet Lake architecture. You will want to know that it is a CML-S, the 4th Generation of Skylake.

The model can clock between 3.6 and 5.2 GHz. Not to mention, it is able to execute up to twenty threads simultaneously. That is possible because of the Hyper-Threading. However, you may want to understand that 5.2 GHz can be below 70degrees temperature at a thermal velocity boost of 100 MHz.

It also clocks 100 MHz lower for both the base and Turbo clocks. The model is produced based on the old 14nm (14nm++) process. It has a free multiplicator that enables the CPU to be quickly overclocked.

However, you may want to know that it comes with less headroom. You will also want to understand that the Comet Lake architecture is quite similar to the Coffee Lake. You can notice similar features present there in the same 14nm process.

Not to mention, the improved clock rates gather support from the memory controller. This enables it to offer a faster DDR4-2933 RAM. The Intel Core i9-10900K processor is a powerful model produced in its mainstream lineup to date.

The model comes with a base frequency of 3.7GHz. You will be glad to know that it can go all the way to 4.8GHz for all cores via Turbo Boost 2.0. The manufacturer ensures that the unit comes with Turbo Boost Max 3.0 to run two cores at 5.20GHz.

You also have a Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB) boost algorithm. It helps you go to the revered mark of 4.9GHz on all cores. You can also find the 5.3GHz. The TVB can only work when the processor is able to run under 70degrees.

If you compare it with the earlier model released by Intel, the Core i9-9900K, this one comes with more speed and 2 more cores. As we said before, it is the same as that produced based on Coffee Lake.

You can also find similar features found in the 14nm process. Now, you will be glad to understand that besides the enhanced clock rates, the memory controller is able to support a quicker DDR4-2933 RAM.

Intel Core i9-10850K vs Intel Core i9-10900K: Setup & Performance

The Intel Core i9-10900K processor offers you a good setup & performance. You should have no issues setting it up on a device of your liking. We are delighted to let you know that Core i9-10850 K’s performance is almost on par with the Core i9-10900K processor.

When you reach 720p, which ensures more to increase the CPU bottleneck, it only shows a minor difference of 0.7%. If you perform the testing using higher resolutions, you can notice a minor difference.

Our tester felt that the performance was almost equal to today’s market’s best. We realized that book figures don’t tell the same story as that of the real-world performance. While the Core i9-10900K model may have top-notch specifications, the Core i9-10850K model does provide you with outstanding performance.

You can even use the Core i7-10700 for decent performance on most of the gaming. The Core i5 models should do it when looking for a cheaper model. Of course, you always have the AMD models around the corner, just in case.

We also are glad to say that the application difference is not much either. You can take note of the fact that they are sublime results in more tests. This is especially for multi-threaded ones. If you want to get yourself a top-notch CPU, this model is suitable.

The power consumption on it was also acceptable. Top-end models have this ridiculous ability to consume a lot of power. This gives rise to the temperature present in the model. You can run the unit with the help of a smaller power limit to suit the needs of your cooler.

This allows you to limit the power adjustments and make them simple to work. Besides, you can get a better performance found on similar models. The Intel Core i9-10900K processor comes with a decent setup & performance.

Intel provides you with 32 distinct SKUs in the Comet Lake-S series. That is because each design present on it comes in different components. Intel wants to increase its customers by releasing as many models based on the 10th-gen series.

It means that you can find a barrage of several models that are present on the Core i3, i5, i7, Pentium, and Celeron series. As we read in the earlier segment, it comes infused with 10 cores and 20 threads.

The more the cores present on the model, the better its performance and functionality. You will be delighted to know hyperthreading is found in most Comet Lake-S series. However, the maker added more threads, L3 cache, and cores.

The maker smartly introduced these features in the top-end models and reduced the price of the low-end models. We understand that a strong show by its rival, AMD, has given Intel this kind of marketing strategy behind these moves.

It is also interesting to note that the maker does not have sufficient volume for its 10nm node to help it get to the demands of its desktop CPUs. Hence, they decided to have the model Comet Lake-S designed on the 14nm++ Skylake architecture.

As of now, we cannot find too many gains in the IPC. However, the maker wants to move quickly on the higher frequencies for better performance than the 9th-Gen design. However, consumers can note that more pins were added to the LGA1151 socket.

This was done to increase the power requirements of the Comet Lake-S design. When you want to use Intel’s 10th-gen parts, the motherboard must be based on the Coffee Lake and Kaby Lake.

We noticed that the Core i5-10600K provides you with the correct balance between value and performance. The model has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a 4.1GHz and 4.8GHz boost base frequency.

Not to mention, you will also like the performance of the Core i3-10300 processor. You will be delighted to find out that there are sizable gains here from the model. You can notice an increase in the power, but it comes with an uptick in performance.

It is able to hold its own in single-core workloads. Overall, the performance of both models is almost similar to each other. You will want to know that the high Turbo Boost present on the processor enables you to use it for very fast gaming purposes.

Sadly, despite working on all the cores, the Core i9 is somewhat slower than the Ryzen CPUs, having more cores, which is really a shame. The Core i9-10900K model comes with exceptional Turbo Boost, which is almost on par with the Ryzen 9 3950X, having more cores.

Please note that the core is slightly higher in the Ryzen 9 processor. That does not mean it is weak or offers less performance in any manner.

Intel Core i9-10850K vs Intel Core i9-10900K: Price

The Intel Core i9-10850K processor is priced under $334. It comes infused with 10 core/20 threads. It is up to 5.2ghz unlocked. Additionally, the model is compatible with the Intel 400 series chipset-based motherboards.

You will also want to know that it has adequate Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 support. The model is compatible with the TDP-down: 95W. That means that the model does not consume a lot of power.

The model is suitable for Intel’s OEM clients. However, it seems that the processor comes having the K-series chip. But it should have come with an overclockable prebuilt system. On paper, the unit makes an exciting prospect that is something that Intel brings to the market.

The Intel Core i9-10900K processor is priced under $500. At the time of writing, it is priced under $390. So, if you are keen to upgrade your processor, you might want to consider placing an order.

It comes embedded with 10 Cores / 20 threads and comes with the socket type LGA 1200. Users will also want to know that it has up to 5. 3 GHz unlocked and compatible with the Intel 400 series chipset-based motherboards.

The model comes embedded with the Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3. 0 support and comes with the Intel Optane memory support. Both the models are priced terrifically, and it would have been nice if the Core i9-10850K went with some more bite.

Intel Core i9-10850K vs Intel Core i9-10900K: Verdict

We have come to the end of our comparison review between the Intel Core i9-10850K processor vs the Intel Core i9-10900K processor. We hope that you enjoyed reading the post and were able to make your decision.

The Intel Core i9-10850K processor is a good choice for a wide range of users. If you are looking for the i9-10900K in the market, you may want to consider the i9-10850K. For the price point, the unit comes with only a small reduction in performance.

You would delight in the availability of the i9-10850K model more than the i9-10900K unit. The situation in America is a lot worse than in many countries in Europe. The performance of the I9-10850K is good too, almost on par with the Ryzen 9 3900XT model.

It is ideal for gaming and the usual tasks that you perform. You would want to consider using the model for rendering and simulation apps. Besides, it does not consume as much power as the counterpart discussed here.
The Intel Core i9-10900K processor provides you with incredible gaming performance. Consumers would delight in the fact that it can hold its own for a single-core workload. Moreover, it comes having 10 cores and 20 threads.

Not to mention, the boost frequency can move all the way up to 5.3GHz. You will want to know that it is a second-to-none processor that Intel has manufactured. When you plan to upgrade to a new processor, it has got to be this model.

If the price comes a bit lower than it has, it can now compete with the Ryzen 7 3800XT processor. Our winner in this comparison review between the Intel Core i9-10805K model vs the Intel Core i9-10900K unit is the Core i9-10900K processor.

The Core i9-10900K model comes with terrific performance and cooling system capabilities. When you want to utilize a powerful yet smashing product, it has to be it. However, the Core i9-10805K is another exceptional unit that is too hard to ignore.