Intel Core i3-10100F vs Intel Core i5-10600K

Intel Core i3-10100F

The Intel Core i3-10100F is an entry level quad-core processor for desktop PCs based on the Comet Lake-S architecture. It offers four cores clocked at 3.6 - 4.3 GHz with HyperThreading / SMT support (8 threads). The CPU is still manufactured on 14nm++ and does not feature an integrated graphics card. Compared to the older Coffee Lake Core i3-9100F, the i3-10100F offers a 100 MHz higher Boost speed, HyperThreading and support for faster DDR4 memory (2666 MHz).

Performance

While we have not tested a single system powered by the 10100F as of August 2023, it's reasonable to expect the chip to be just slightly faster than the Core i5-10200H.

Intel specifies the CPU with a TDP of 65 Watt. For desktops that means that the processor won't need big cooling solutions and can be used in small cases.

Intel Core i5-10600K

The Intel Core i5-10600K is a mid-range processor for desktops with six cores based on the Comet Lake architecture (CML-S, 4th generation of Skylake). The processor clocks at between 4.1 and 4.8 GHz and can execute up to twelfe threads simultaneously thanks to Hyper-Threading. 

The processor is still manufactured in the old 14nm (14nm++) process. Thanks to the free multiplicator, the CPU can also be easily overclocked (but may not have much headroom).

The Comet Lake architecture is similar to Coffee Lake and offers the same features and is produced in the same 14nm process. Other than the improved clock rates, the memory controller now also supports faster DDR4-2933 RAM. More information on Comet Lake and all the models and articles on it can be found here.

Performance

Thanks to the high clock speeds (and possible TDP settings with most mainboards), the Core i5-10600K offers a similar speed than the old Core i7-9700K quad core. Compared to current AMD offerings, the multi-core performance is on par with a Ryzen 5 3600, single core and gaming performance with a faster Ryzen 9 3900.

Graphics

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 iGPU is supposed to offer a similar performance as the UHD630 in the Core i7-9900K. As a  low-end solution it will only run current games smoothly at reduced details - if at all.

Power Consumption

Intel specifies the TDP with 125 Watts (PL1) but under full load up to 250 Watt are consumed (PL2). In default mode these 250 Watt and therefore high clock speeds can be maintained for up to 56 seconds, however, all boards offer the option to alter these settings.