Intel Core i5-10600K
The Intel Core i5-10600K is a 14nm++ fabrication CPU based on Comet Lake architecture. This architecture is a refresh from the previous Coffee Lake architecture found in Intel 9th Generation Core Desktop Processors. Think, mostly manufacturing and process improvements. Even though this is an i5 family series, the 10600K is at the upper end of the i5 family product stack. This is the fastest i5 series CPU. As such, this CPU has a top-end TDP, it sits at a TDP of 125W, which is the same TDP as the flagship Intel Core i9-10900K. The advantage of being able to run at such a high TDP is high clock speeds.
The Core i5-10600K is a 6 core/12 thread CPU. There are six physical cores, with Intel Hyperthreading support giving this CPU 12 thread capability. The Intel Core i5-10600K has 12MB of Cache. The Core i5-10600K has a base clock frequency of up to 4.1GHz, so it is already starting from a strong place in terms of frequency. The Core i5-10600K supports Intel Turbo Boost Technology version 2.0 and thus has a maximum single-core Turbo Frequency. That frequency is up to 4.8GHz on this CPU. That means, at best, operating just a single-core, it can boost up to 4.8GHz maximum if all situations are right. In terms of Intel’s All Core Turbo Frequency, this CPU can hit up to a frequency of 4.5GHz when all cores and threads are running at full load.
Only One Turbo Boost
The Core i5-10600K CPU does not support Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology version 3.0. This technology is only supported on Core i7’s and Core i9’s in the 10th Gen family. Dan will talk more about this technology in his Core i9-10900K review. Also, the Core i5-10600K does not support the new Intel Thermal Velocity Boost Technology which is only supported on the Core i9 CPUs in the 10th Gen family. Again, Dan will talk more about that technology in his Core i9-10900K review.
Therefore, in terms of clock speed, only Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 is supported on the Core i5-10600K and i5 and i3 family. That dictates a potential single-core boost frequency, and on the i5-10600K that is 4.8GHz. Otherwise, the All Core Turbo frequency is up to 4.5GHz on this CPU, which will most likely be the more common frequency attained if you are, for example, playing games.
Memory, Chipset and Variants
In terms of memory support, the Intel Core i5-10600K supports dual-channel DDR4-2666MHz. In fact, all of the i5 and i3 CPUs support officially DDR4-2666. It is only the Intel Core i7 and i9 CPUs that support the faster DDR4-2933 on the Z490 chipset. With the Core i5-10600K CPU being a “K” variant, this means the CPU is unlocked for overclocking. You will also most likely be able to tweak memory frequencies higher and support higher XMP profiles for memory speeds depending on the RAM and motherboard. The Core i5-10600K supports the full 40 PCIe 3.0 lanes of the Z490 chipset. The K variant has Intel UHD Graphics 630 built-in. There is a “KF” variant with no IGP, but the same specs. Hyper threading is the big news here, with the whole product stack now supporting SMT.
The Core i5-10600K will retail for $262 RCP. The Core i5-10600KF with no IGP will retail for $237 RCP. There will also be a Core i5-10600 with the IGP but a lower 65W TDP and thus lower clock speeds for $213 RCP, but it is not unlocked for overclocking. The enthusiast CPU with overclocking support most appealing will either be the i5-10600KF (if you don’t need the IGP) since it will be cheaper and has the same specs as the i5-10600K or the i5-10600K.