Core i9-10900 vs Core i9-10900E

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i9-10900 vs Core i9-10900E FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i9-10900 vs Core i9-10900E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i9-10900

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +22.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $5 less on MSRP ($483 MSRP vs $488 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,163 vs 19,332).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-10900E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-10900E

2020

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i9-10900 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10900 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌
1% HIGHER MSRP
$488 MSRPvs$483 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10900E better than Core i9-10900?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-10900 is ahead with a 22.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-10900E pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-10900E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i9-10900E is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i9-10900 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-10900E comes in 1.0% more expensive on MSRP at $488 MSRP versus $483 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-10900 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 22.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-10900 is also 0.2% better value on MSRP (39.7 vs 39.6 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i9-10900E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 20 threads instead of 10/20. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-10900 vs Core i9-10900E Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i9-10900

The Core i9-10900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 19,163 points. Launch price was $299.

Core i9-10900E

The Core i9-10900E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,332 points. Launch price was $488.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i9-10900 and Core i9-10900E share an identical 10-core/20-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-10900 versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i9-10900E — a 8.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). Both are built on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i9-10900 scores 19,163 against the Core i9-10900E's 19,332 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i9-10900E. Both processors carry 20 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i9-10900	Core i9-10900E
Cores / Threads	10 / 20	10 / 20
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+9%	4.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	20 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	19,163	19,332

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1200 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i9-10900	Core i9-10900E
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i9-10900) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-10900E). The Core i9-10900E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i9-10900 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i9-10900	Core i9-10900E
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-10900 was priced at $483, while the Core i9-10900E came in at $488. On launch pricing ($483 vs $488), Core i9-10900 was $5 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-10900 delivers 39.7 pts/$ vs 39.6 pts/$ for the Core i9-10900E — making the Core i9-10900 the 0.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-10900	Core i9-10900E
MSRP	$483-1%	$488
Performance per Dollar	39.7	39.6
Release Date	2020	2020

Search Core i9-10900 on Amazon

Search Core i9-10900E on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.