Intel 10 Series "Comet Lake" Launch Review Roundup (10900K, 10700K, 10600K, 10500K)

[legcramp]

Since I am an AMD fan through and through, I would not buy these for my personal builds, ever. However, the motherboards do look cool and Intel has finally given a half way decent response to AMD, 3 years later but, it is still a much better response than before. Therefore, for Intel fans or those who look at the FPS counters, these processors would do them well.

I just like when new stuff comes out and now that AMD is on top of things, Intel has finally got off their rocking chair, mostly.

Nah it's for players who are sensitive to the fps consistency and reduced stuttering so every bit performance help, for others who don't play competitively an AMD system would be fine like yourself.

 

[GreenOrbs]

I skimmed through the video without sound just to check the benchmark parts. It does look honestly very good for Intel, much more than people let on.

I love Digital Foundry from Eurogamer and they put out the best console tech analysis content out there. One thing to note, however, is the game selection for their benchmarks. Cryengine and especially the Dunia (Far Cry) fork of Cryengine is particularly dependent on single threaded performance. It makes sense that they would select the most CPU demanding titles for their review. However, one thing to keep in mind is that Cryengine isn't very commonly used compared with Unity and Unreal engines (one estimate was 3% of games use Cryengine). Here in their benchmark suite 3/7 or around 42% of the games are cryengine-based games (Crysis, Kingdom Come, Far Cry) and those are the titles in which AMD is furthest behind. I view those titles as a worst case scenario for AMD processors and you do typically observe 15-20% gains by Intel in those titles. It's still very good information. Here's a list of Cryengine Games (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_CryEngine_games) and there aren't that many games using it. Amazon Lumberyard is also rebadged Cryengine (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Lumberyard). So unless you want to play Far Cry, Crucible, Star Citizen, or Crysis remastered, I'm not really seeing any big titles coming up that use Cryengine these days. But if one of these games will be your main game, avoid AMD.

From various Digital foundry articles including their 10900k review:

Crytek built a game designed to scale with single-threaded performance with only cursory support for more than one CPU core... The Dunia engine that underpins Far Cry 5 has a lot of history, having first been developed as an open world offshoot of the CryEngine for Far Cry 2 in 2008. The engine has seen continual improvement since then, but still relies on single-threaded performance to a greater extent than any other game in our CPU test suite...

 

[Snowdog]

Gamers Nexus put up a video on the 10400 using both 2666 and 3200 memory.

Better than I expected. With just 3200 Memory, it hangs right with the 8700K in most games, while sipping power. As you said above, the 10400F version is a reasonably compelling option, once out and assuming it settles near ARK pricing.

I don't get the argument that you wouldn't use this in an OC board to get faster memory and significantly boost performance. There are lower end OC boards that are that badly priced. Heck this could serve as a nice holdover CPU till Rocket Lake ships, which is also supposed to fit these boards.

 

[Derangel]

Better than I expected. With just 3200 Memory, it hangs right with the 8700K in most games, while sipping power. As you said above, the 10400F version is a reasonably compelling option, once out and assuming it settles near ARK pricing.

I don't get the argument that you wouldn't use this in an OC board to get faster memory and significantly boost performance. There are lower end OC boards that are that badly priced. Heck this could serve as a nice holdover CPU till Rocket Lake ships, which is also supposed to fit these boards.

Right now, the cheapest Z490 board is $150, that is a lot to spend on a motherboard for a budget build. If some Z490 boards end up being close to $100 then it might make a little more sense.

 

[GreenOrbs]

The i5-10400 supports a maximum of 2666 memory unless you have it in a Z490 motherboard. With 2666 memory, the 10400 performs worse than a 3300x in many cases. The argument that you can upgrade later doesn't make it a good value now. B450 boards can support Zen 3 too just like Z490 boards support Rocket Lake. I still feel like the 10600k is a more balanced choice compared with the 10400.

Obviously, if Z490 boards end up being as cheap as B450 boards then the whole story changes. But I doubt that will happen.

 

[Snowdog]

Right now, the cheapest Z490 board is $150, that is a lot to spend on a motherboard for a budget build.

If the budget CPU performs like an 8700K on that board, why not?

 

[Derangel]

If the budget CPU performs like an 8700K on that board, why not?

Because it's a significant amount of the budget that's better spent on something like a GPU. $50 is A LOT when you're talking about a budget build.

Edit: Let's say the 10400F comes out at $160 (about $5 more than the low end of the ARK price) that's still $40 more than the 3300X. With 3200 memory it performs a decent amount better, but you're also looking at spending another $50-$70 on the motherboard compared to the 3300X. That's a total difference of $90-$110. Putting that money towards a better GPU will probably provide a better gaming experience than buying the 10400F and getting a lesser GPU.

 

[IdiotInCharge]

Right now, the cheapest Z490 board is $150, that is a lot to spend on a motherboard for a budget build. If some Z490 boards end up being close to $100 then it might make a little more sense.

That's not bad at all for the top end chipset, at release even!

Intel appears to have beefed up the VRMs and so on, so that should mean that even the lower-end Z boards will be reasonably robust.

 

[Ranulfo]

If we're talking upgrade path, you could also buy a 3300x with a x570 board for $170, 3200 ram and still come out ahead with enough for a decent $30 heatsink and have an upgrade path to Zen3.

 

[Snowdog]

Because it's a significant amount of the budget that's better spent on something like a GPU. $50 is A LOT when you're talking about a budget build.

Edit: Let's say the 10400F comes out at $160 (about $5 more than the low end of the ARK price) that's still $40 more than the 3300X.

Right now on Newegg.com I am seeing $200 for the 3300X. Launch gouging happens to AMD as well, it's actually a few bucks more than the 10400 right now.

With 3200 memory it performs a decent amount better, but you're also looking at spending another $50-$70 on the motherboard compared to the 3300X. That's a total difference of $90-$110. Putting that money towards a better GPU will probably provide a better gaming experience than buying the 10400F and getting a lesser GPU.

What if I don't want a crappy $100 MB anyway? What if I want to keep my upgrade options open for a future better processors.

 

[kirbyrj]

Depending on how much cheaper the 10400f is, it could slightly change things but it would have to come in at pretty close to ARK price. The non-f seems kind of dead in the water, at least in the US. Especially if the 3300X keeps it's current $120 price going forward (when it's in stock)

Or if for some reason you need the IGP, but that's about it. I was a little disappointed by that video. I would have thought it would have put up a slightly better showing. Seems like this would be a much better value if they would allow all core boosting up to the top bin instead of just one core (sounds like ASRock was doing something like this) and memory overclocking on a cheaper board. Probably be a budget champ with those two things...

 

[kirbyrj]

Right now on Newegg.com I am seeing $200 for the 3300X. Launch gouging happens to AMD as well, it's actually a few bucks more than the 10400 right now.

What if I don't want a crappy $100 MB anyway? What if I want to keep my upgrade options open for a future better processors.

That's not really launch gouging as much as OOS gouging by 3rd party sellers. Unless you also think that the 9900KF is $843... Wait 2 weeks and you'll likely find 3300x's at $120 again.

And as for the "crappy" motherboard... AMD gives you far better options and configurable motherboards at $100 than Intel right now. With AMD you can theoretically overclock and tweak your memory (up to the limitations of the board...some of which aren't bad at $100). Intel not so much unless their B460 boards allow "overclocking" like they are rumored to. And the cheaper boards will always take the higher end processors. Why you'd want to throw a 10900k into a H410 motherboard is beyond me, but you can do it.

 

[Ready4Dis]

I wouldn't worry about it.

Unless a competitive combined platform price runs several hundred dollars difference, almost nobody here is going to make a decision based on price difference anyway.

Its going to come down to how familiar you are with Intel or AMD. Your curiosity to switch brands, boredom, concern about drivers stability, BIOS support, CPU exploits, performance in your preference in games, video encoding, modeling performance, showing off you e-peen, looks, RGB, water cooling support, etc etc etc etc etc etc ......

I bought a 3900x partially because I just wanted to build something different and to be ready for PS5/XBSX ports.

Nobody actually gives a damn about $30/$50/$100. Maybe just something to argue about to pass time.

Nobody? That's not true, I have 6 desktops at my house that I keep relatively updated. If I can save $50 on a CPU, I can spend $50 on a GPU or vice-versa depending on the needs (or $50 of extra ram or drive space). If $50 didn't matter, then everyone would just step up to the next CPU since it's only $50 more . I know what you're saying though, if I'm set on something and I can buy brand X for a few $'s cheaper, I will just go with what I want even if I could save a few $ changing my mind. That said, of my last 4 builds, 3 were Intel and 1 was AMD. My next is going to be AMD unless zen3 ends up being slower than zen2... .

 

[Snowdog]

Nobody? That's not true, I have 6 desktops at my house that I keep relatively updated. If I can save $50 on a CPU, I can spend $50 on a GPU or vice-versa depending on the needs (or $50 of extra ram or drive space). If $50 didn't matter, then everyone would just step up to the next CPU since it's only $50 more . I know what you're saying though, if I'm set on something and I can buy brand X for a few $'s cheaper, I will just go with what I want even if I could save a few $ changing my mind. That said, of my last 4 builds, 3 were Intel and 1 was AMD. My next is going to be AMD unless zen3 ends up being slower than zen2... .

$50 might matter if we are talking about complete commodities, but if you are a gamer, $50 is peanuts on a gaming system to get a better performing gaming CPU.

 

[ManofGod]

$50 might matter if we are talking about complete commodities, but if you are a gamer, $50 is peanuts on a gaming system to get a better performing gaming CPU.

Even as a Gamer, $50 is not peanuts. Heck, that $50 can buy you an that gaming mouse you could have not otherwise have bought or afforded. If you want an Intel and nothing else, you will be buying at least the 10600K. If you do not mind that the 10400f is slower than the 3300X in a budget build, and many may not care, then get that. (That is assuming the B460 boards are any good.)

 

[Ready4Dis]

$50 might matter if we are talking about complete commodities, but if you are a gamer, $50 is peanuts on a gaming system to get a better performing gaming CPU.

Depends on the person, not everyone has money laying around. I know plenty of people that throw a box together as cheap as possible to play games because they aren't well off. Heck, a pass down parts to my son's friends sometimes because they can't afford new stuff. Not everyone has a 2080ti and a new 10900k for gaming, some are rocking older hardware where $50 is to much to spend on a single part. I understand those who have a decent amount of disposable income don't worry so much, but others do. To make a statement that nobody cares is ignoring others situations. Some people do, some people don't. Heck, I only spend $70 on the CPU (g4560) and another $100 on an rx560 for my daughter's computer (a while back now) along with some cheap 2x4gb ram and a small SSD (cheapest I could find). She plays some games (has to play on lower quality) but runs fine for what it is. I obviously didn't feel spending $50 more to get a better CPU or GPU was worth it even though a 570 or 1060 would have been much faster.

 

[IdiotInCharge]

Even as a Gamer, $50 is not peanuts. Heck, that $50 can buy you an that gaming mouse you could have not otherwise have bought or afforded.

This is very true.

If you want an Intel and nothing else, you will be buying at least the 10600K.

Not so much 'and nothing else', but rather, there's something about the ecosystem that fits your use case. That goes both ways, and I've wound up on both sides in the past at times.

That is assuming the B460 boards are any good.

Whenever they hit the market, they're likely to be pretty good. Granted, that mostly means that they just work. This is Intel we're talking about, after all

 

[Snowdog]

Depends on the person, not everyone has money laying around. I know plenty of people that throw a box together as cheap as possible to play games because they aren't well off. Heck, a pass down parts to my son's friends sometimes because they can't afford new stuff. Not everyone has a 2080ti and a new 10900k for gaming, some are rocking older hardware where $50 is to much to spend on a single part. I understand those who have a decent amount of disposable income don't worry so much, but others do. To make a statement that nobody cares is ignoring others situations. Some people do, some people don't. Heck, I only spend $70 on the CPU (g4560) and another $100 on an rx560 for my daughter's computer (a while back now) along with some cheap 2x4gb ram and a small SSD (cheapest I could find). She plays some games (has to play on lower quality) but runs fine for what it is. I obviously didn't feel spending $50 more to get a better CPU or GPU was worth it even though a 570 or 1060 would have been much faster.

I don't have a lot of disposable income. But a new PC is a once in great many years purchase that will cost me over $1000, so $950 vs $1000 isn't going to change much.

It's not like I am talking about $50 more every couple of months. It's $50 amortized over years.

 

[kirbyrj]

I think the better argument is that $50 usually goes further with a GPU over a CPU if you are a gamer.

 

[Auer]

 

[Ready4Dis]

I don't have a lot of disposable income. But a new PC is a once in great many years purchase that will cost me over $1000, so $950 vs $1000 isn't going to change much.

It's not like I am talking about $50 more every couple of months. It's $50 amortized over years.

Yah, I understand, if you save up and buy a big system you don't want to skimp for .5% of the cost. When I build a $300 system, $50 is a lot bigger chunk. Like I said, it's relative, some don't mind some do mind. I'm not saying one is right or wrong, just that there's normally more than 1 side to a coin.

 

[Deleted member 134608]

I don't have a lot of disposable income. But a new PC is a once in great many years purchase that will cost me over $1000, so $950 vs $1000 isn't going to change much.

It's not like I am talking about $50 more every couple of months. It's $50 amortized over years.

Exactly. $50 isn't $50 (or even $100) when you are comparing platforms, which is what I was originally referring to. It's $50 difference.

When is the last time you went out to do a $1000-$5000 upgrade and went, well I'm buying an entirely different CPU and motherboard setup than I planned because I'll save $50? Possible, yes. Likely, no. You are much more likely to just get a cheaper case, motherboard, CPU, less RAM, or slower GPU on the design you intended. If I change the entire setup, its because of other reasons or hundreds of dollars in savings.

 

[Deleted member 134608]

Yah, I understand, if you save up and buy a big system you don't want to skimp for .5% of the cost. When I build a $300 system, $50 is a lot bigger chunk. Like I said, it's relative, some don't mind some do mind. I'm not saying one is right or wrong, just that there's normally more than 1 side to a coin.

A $300 build is obviously a design based purely on budget, which wasn't what anyone was referring to.

 

[OrangeKhrush]

Summary:

Best all round value: Ryzen 5 3600
Best pure gaming value: I5 10600K
Best budget gaming: Ryzen 3 3300

Basically avoid the I5 10400 like the bubonic plague, on B and H Motherboards with stock rated memory it just beats or loses to the less threaded 3300 running stock results.

 

[Snowdog]

^ Yeah, that is the video the rest of have been discussing since it was posted (#77) last night.

 

[Deleted member 134608]

^ Yeah, that is the video the rest of have been discussing since it was posted (#77) last night.

And as usual, the recommendation is about results. Not $50.

edit: a word

 

[kirbyrj]

Exactly. $50 isn't $50 (or even $100) when you are comparing platforms, which is what I was originally referring to. It's $50 difference.

When is the last time you went out to do a $1000-$5000 upgrade and went, well I'm buying an entirely different CPU and motherboard setup than I planned because I'll save $50? Possible, yes. Likely, no. You are much more likely to just get a cheaper case, motherboard, CPU, less RAM, or slower GPU on the design you intended. If I change the entire setup, its because of other reasons or hundreds of dollars in savings.

At the same time, you're just being foolish if you don't consider all the options. For example, an Asus Prime Z490-A (or Prime X570-Pro) is $150 cheaper than the Maximus or Crosshair Hero boards. Do you need the 2.5G LAN? Do you need WiFi6? Are you at the bleeding edge of an overclock that you would notice the slightly different VRM setup? I had a CH8 and downgraded to a X570-Pro because I didn't actually need the features pocketing the difference.

I don't think enough people do an honest look at what they use their computer for and overspend in areas they don't have to rather than put their dollars to good use.

 

[wyqtor]

I'm a bit shocked that the i5-9600KF I bought on Black Friday for less than 200$ does almost as well in gaming as the i5-10600K. The difference is probably even less at 5 GHz, which is apparently harder to achieve on the i5-10600K (at least according to one review). I would have expected HT to make more of a difference.

 

[legcramp]

The new i5 is basically the same chip as my 8700K. Makes me glad I bought it when it first came out and canned the idea of get Ryzen 1600 now and upgrade to Zen+/2 in hopes of better consistent FPS. I am positive Zen 3 will close this gap though. This is strictly for gaming of course since AMD is much better overall price/perf.

 

[legcramp]

I'm a bit shocked that the i5-9600KF I bought on Black Friday for less than 200$ does almost as well in gaming as the i5-10600K. The difference is probably even less at 5 GHz, which is apparently harder to achieve on the i5-10600K (at least according to one review). I would have expected HT to make more of a difference.

Depends on the game, there are games where your 9600KF would be faster too.

 

[Snowdog]

I'm a bit shocked that the i5-9600KF I bought on Black Friday for less than 200$ does almost as well in gaming as the i5-10600K. The difference is probably even less at 5 GHz, which is apparently harder to achieve on the i5-10600K (at least according to one review). I would have expected HT to make more of a difference.

It makes a bigger difference on 1% lows. 10600K tends to be a lot more consistent.

 

[bigdogchris]

Anyone know why so many of these review videos for 10th Gen is showing LGA Socket 1159 in CPUID? Wondering if they are using an out of date CPUID version or what.

 

[Deleted member 134608]

At the same time, you're just being foolish if you don't consider all the options. For example, an Asus Prime Z490-A (or Prime X570-Pro) is $150 cheaper than the Maximus or Crosshair Hero boards. Do you need the 2.5G LAN? Do you need WiFi6? Are you at the bleeding edge of an overclock that you would notice the slightly different VRM setup? I had a CH8 and downgraded to a X570-Pro because I didn't actually need the features pocketing the difference.

I don't think enough people do an honest look at what they use their computer for and overspend in areas they don't have to rather than put their dollars to good use.

You didn't read what I wrote, did you? Please read it again. When is the last time you threw out your entire build or design and started over, because of $50? And I don't mean some bargain basement internet build for gramma. This is an enthusiast site.

 

[kirbyrj]

You didn't read what I wrote, did you? Please read it again. When is the last time you through out your entire build or design and started over, because of $50? And I don't mean some bargain basement internet build for gramma. This is an enthusiast site.

So...you essentially said, "change your setup" to save $50 and then listed virtually all the parts inside your "setup" that you would change to save some money or spend a little extra.

You can still be an enthusiast and spend money wisely. My example of a motherboard is one. Memory speed and timings could potentially be another (e.g. paying top dollar for Cas 14 when Cas 16 would likely be indistinguishable outside of benchmarks). Paying an extra $30 for the overclocked version of a video card vs. saving the money and overclocking yourself. PCIe 4.0 NVMe vs. PCIe 3.0 NVMe... Things like that are how you turn a $2000 build into a $1500 build and never notice the difference outside of your wallet.

 

[ManofGod]

And as usual, the recommendation is about results. Not $50.

edit: a word

The results are also about cost, or at least cost is factored into the decision. (When considering what he thinks the all around best processor is.)

 

[ManofGod]

You didn't read what I wrote, did you? Please read it again. When is the last time you threw out your entire build or design and started over, because of $50? And I don't mean some bargain basement internet build for gramma. This is an enthusiast site.

So, what, I should not have asked for that price match on both my 3700X purchases because we are on an enthusiast site? Hey, that saved me about $70 plus tax. (Being slightly sarcastic but, you did not exactly take the time to understand what he wrote, yourself.)

 

[ManofGod]

So...you essentially said, "change your setup" to save $50 and then listed virtually all the parts inside your "setup" that you would change to save some money or spend a little extra.

You can still be an enthusiast and spend money wisely. My example of a motherboard is one. Memory speed and timings could potentially be another (e.g. paying top dollar for Cas 14 when Cas 16 would likely be indistinguishable outside of benchmarks). Paying an extra $30 for the overclocked version of a video card vs. saving the money and overclocking yourself. PCIe 4.0 NVMe vs. PCIe 3.0 NVMe... Things like that are how you turn a $2000 build into a $1500 build and never notice the difference outside of your wallet.

Got to admit though, I would love to have a Threadripper build, despite the cost and not having a need for it, just because.

 

[Deleted member 134608]

So...you essentially said, "change your setup" to save $50 and then listed virtually all the parts inside your "setup" that you would change to save some money or spend a little extra.

You can still be an enthusiast and spend money wisely. My example of a motherboard is one. Memory speed and timings could potentially be another (e.g. paying top dollar for Cas 14 when Cas 16 would likely be indistinguishable outside of benchmarks). Paying an extra $30 for the overclocked version of a video card vs. saving the money and overclocking yourself. PCIe 4.0 NVMe vs. PCIe 3.0 NVMe... This is how you turn a $2000 build into a $1500 build and never notice the difference outside of your wallet.

CHANGE PLATFORM. As in, your entire design. Different CPU architecture, different memory subsystem, different LAN, different audio controller, different VRM design, different cooler mount, different cooling, different I/O performance, different drivers, Because almost everything is different between Intel and AMD. People were arguing over a $50 price difference between platforms. Very few people here would flip everything over because $50 alone. Buying decisions are based on very many things, not just $50. If you are that flippant, you aren't that passionate about tech. You are just a consumer.

 

[kirbyrj]

CHANGE PLATFORM. As in, your entire design. Different CPU architecture, different memory subsystem, different LAN, different audio controller, different VRM design, different cooler mount, different cooling, different I/O performance, different drivers, Because almost everything is different between Intel and AMD. People were arguing over a $50 price difference between platforms. Very few people here would flip everything over because $50 alone. Buying decisions are based on very many things, not just $50. If you are that flippant, you aren't that passionate about tech. You are just a consumer.

Just because they are different doesn't mean they don't accomplish the same exact goal (which in this case was playing the same fucking game and comparing results). But what the hell do I know? Evidently, I'm just a consumer . I must be doing it wrong since I took my memory, cooling, and drives with me from my AMD rig when I built this Intel rig I'm in now instead of finding ones tailored to the nuanced Intel controllers. Maybe one day you'll explain to me how much different the Realtek 1220 is from Intel to AMD setups or how my Intel LAN on my AMD motherboard is different than my identical Intel LAN on my Intel board. My consumer mind is about to explode with all this new knowledge...

 

[Deleted member 134608]

So, what, I should not have asked for that price match on both my 3700X purchases because we are on an enthusiast site? Hey, that saved me about $70 plus tax. (Being slightly sarcastic but, you did not exactly take the time to understand what he wrote, yourself.)

Thanks for not reading the conversations and confirming what I said. You didn't change everything, did you? You tried to save money off your chosen design. Save $50 by buying less RAM, getting a cheaper board, or getting a discount is normal. Throwing out your design and starting over to save $50 isn't.