The other snag is that this refreshed CPU uses the same LGA1200 socket as the other members of the 10th Gen family so you will need to buy a brand new Z490 motherboard before you can use your new CPU. You might consider that Core i5-10600K gives you a cheap entry point to Intel's new platform however we consider this to be a weak argument as we do not expect LGA1200 to last beyond Intel's 11th Gen CPUs so options for upgrades are likely to be limited.
Testing hardware
To test Core i9-10900K we lined up a variety of test platforms that used the following common hardware:
- CPU Cooler Fractal Design Celsius S36 with 3x Noctua Chromax NF-F12 fans
- RAM 32GB Corsair Vengeance LPX 3600MHz 16-18-18-36
- Graphics Card Gigabyte RTX 2080 Super 8GB
- Power Supply Seasonic Prime Platinum1300W
and these specific parts for the four platforms:
Intel 10th Gen Desktop
- Intel Core i9-10900K
- Intel Core i5-10600K
- 1TB WD Blue
- MSI MEG Z490 Ace
Intel 9th Gen Desktop
- Intel Core i9-9900KF
- 1TB Intel 760P
- Asus ROG Maximus XI Formula
AMD AM4 Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
- 240GB Toshiba RC100
- Gigabyte X570 Aorus Elite
Intel High End Desktop
- Intel Core i9-9900X
- 32GB G.Skill FlareX 3200MHz 14-14-14-34 quad channel
- 1TB WD Blue
- ASRock X299 Taichi