Intel Core i7-10700 vs Intel Core i3-10320 vs Intel Core i9-10900K

Intel Core i7-10700

The Intel Core i7-10700 is a high-end desktop CPU based on the Comet Lake architecture. The CPU offers 8 cores and 16 threads clocked at 2.9 - 4.8 GHz. All cores can run at up to 4.6 GHz.

Compared to the older Core i7-9700, the 10700 now enables HyperThreading and therefore in some applications a nice performance boost. The single core performance is quite similar.

The chip is manufactured in 14nm++ process at Intel. The TDP is rated at 65 Watt (PL1) but the PL2 is set to 224 Watt for short term boosts (up to 28 seconds).

Intel Core i3-10320

The Intel Core i3-10320 is an entry level quad-core desktop processor based on the Comet Lake-S architecture (CML-S, 4th generation of Skylake). The processor clocks at between 3.8 and 4.6 GHz and can execute up to eight threads with its four cores 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

The performance is similar to the old high end Intel Core i7-7700K due to the same architecture and similar clock speeds. 

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 65 Watts (PL1) but under full load up to 90 Watt are consumed (PL2 for 28s).

Intel Core i9-10900K

The Intel Core i9-10900K is a high-end processor for desktops with ten cores based on the Comet Lake architecture (CML-S, 4th generation of Skylake). The processor clocks at between 3.7 and 5.3 GHz (all 10 cores up to 4.8 GHz) and can execute up to twenty threads simultaneously thanks to Hyper-Threading. The 5.3 GHz can be only achieved below 70°C core temperature (Thermal Velocity Boost of 100 MHz).

The processor is still manufactured in the old 14nm (14nm++) process. Compared to the predecessor, the Core i9-9900K, the 10900K offers increased clock speeds and two more cores. 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 Turbo Boost, the CPU is the fastest gaming CPU available at the time of announcement. Using all cores, the i9 however is slower than the top Ryzen CPUs (like the Ryzen 9 3950X) which offer more cores.

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.