Core i9-10900E
CPU·Entry

Core i9-10900E

Intel

PassMark

19,332

MSRP

$488

AVG Price

$450

30 April 2020 (5 years ago)
65 Watt
Comet Lake (2020−2025)

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

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.

Overview

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i9-10900E

#774
Phenom X4 9750B
MSRP: $215|Avg: $34
104%
#775
Ryzen 7 2700E
MSRP: $329|Avg: $329
104%
#776
Core i5-6402P
MSRP: $182|Avg: $120
104%
#777
Ryzen Embedded V2516
MSRP: $300|Avg: $300
103%
#778
Core i5-3550S
MSRP: $205|Avg: $100
103%
#779
Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
MSRP: $2499|Avg: $2442
103%
#780
Core i9-14901E
MSRP: $557|Avg: $689
102%
#781
Celeron G5900T
MSRP: $42|Avg: $50
102%
#782
Athlon X4 730
MSRP: $60|Avg: $52
102%
#783
Core i3-6300
MSRP: $147|Avg: $99
102%
#784
Core i5-760
MSRP: $230|Avg: $61
102%
#785
Celeron G6900TE
MSRP: $53|Avg: $64
101%
#786
Core i5-8600T
MSRP: $213|Avg: $213
101%
#787
Celeron G4950
MSRP: $52|Avg: $63
100%
#788
Athlon 64 FX-53
MSRP: $799|Avg: $15
100%
#789
Core i9-10900E
MSRP: $488|Avg: $450
100%
#790
Xeon E5-2608L v4
MSRP: $363|Avg: $174
100%
#791
Core i7-9700KF
MSRP: $374|Avg: $333
100%
#792
Pentium E5500
MSRP: $75|Avg: $25
99%
#793
Pentium G3450T
MSRP: $75|Avg: $45
98%
#794
Phenom II X4 820
MSRP: $150|Avg: $50
98%
#795
Core 2 Quad Q6700
MSRP: $530|Avg: $50
97%
#796
Pentium G4560
MSRP: $64|Avg: $85
97%
#797
Pentium Dual-Core E2220
MSRP: $32|Avg: $32
97%
#798
Core i5-8400T
MSRP: $182|Avg: $179
97%
#799
Athlon 240GE
MSRP: $75|Avg: $110
97%
#800
Core i3-2120T
MSRP: $127|Avg: $38
96%
#801
Pentium G860
MSRP: $86|Avg: $36
96%
#802
Celeron G3900TE
MSRP: $42|Avg: $45
96%
#803
FX-8140
MSRP: $225|Avg: $120
94%
#804
Core i5-7500T
MSRP: $202|Avg: $130
93%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

FPS Benchmarks

Predicted performance for Core i9-10900E across popular games. Tested paired with RTX 4090 to isolate CPU performance.

ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders

1080p
low283 FPS
medium210 FPS
high182 FPS
ultra165 FPS
1440p
low225 FPS
medium176 FPS
high154 FPS
ultra141 FPS
4k
low144 FPS
medium114 FPS
high99 FPS
ultra95 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080p
low483 FPS
medium420 FPS
high359 FPS
ultra324 FPS
1440p
low419 FPS
medium368 FPS
high317 FPS
ultra276 FPS
4k
low258 FPS
medium227 FPS
high213 FPS
ultra185 FPS
Dota 2

Dota 2

1080p
low329 FPS
medium288 FPS
high265 FPS
ultra248 FPS
1440p
low275 FPS
medium245 FPS
high229 FPS
ultra209 FPS
4k
low197 FPS
medium177 FPS
high171 FPS
ultra146 FPS
Honkai: Star Rail

Honkai: Star Rail

1080p
low58 FPS
medium55 FPS
high55 FPS
ultra50 FPS
1440p
low57 FPS
medium54 FPS
high54 FPS
ultra49 FPS
4k
low49 FPS
medium46 FPS
high45 FPS
ultra40 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080p
low483 FPS
medium483 FPS
high483 FPS
ultra449 FPS
1440p
low483 FPS
medium483 FPS
high479 FPS
ultra403 FPS
4k
low483 FPS
medium408 FPS
high361 FPS
ultra301 FPS
Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2

1080p
low483 FPS
medium483 FPS
high483 FPS
ultra426 FPS
1440p
low483 FPS
medium459 FPS
high387 FPS
ultra346 FPS
4k
low331 FPS
medium299 FPS
high262 FPS
ultra224 FPS
Palworld

Palworld

1080p
low225 FPS
medium212 FPS
high172 FPS
ultra151 FPS
1440p
low188 FPS
medium176 FPS
high145 FPS
ultra126 FPS
4k
low134 FPS
medium125 FPS
high99 FPS
ultra87 FPS
Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

1080p
low164 FPS
medium145 FPS
high118 FPS
ultra99 FPS
1440p
low139 FPS
medium119 FPS
high96 FPS
ultra81 FPS
4k
low76 FPS
medium70 FPS
high56 FPS
ultra43 FPS
Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley

1080p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
1440p
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high60 FPS
ultra60 FPS
4k
low60 FPS
medium60 FPS
high59 FPS
ultra55 FPS
Starfield

Starfield

1080p
low167 FPS
medium154 FPS
high133 FPS
ultra102 FPS
1440p
low150 FPS
medium135 FPS
high118 FPS
ultra88 FPS
4k
low87 FPS
medium78 FPS
high65 FPS
ultra53 FPS

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of Core i9-10900E specifications and capabilities.

Processing Power

The Core i9-10900E is a 10-core / 20-thread processor based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture, manufactured on a 14 nm process node. It reaches a maximum boost clock of 4.7 GHz from a base frequency of 2.8 GHz— higher boost clocks directly translate to better single-threaded performance and responsiveness in gaming. It carries 20 MB (total) of L3 cache, plus 256 kB (per core) of L2 cache and 64 kB (per core) of L1 cache per core. In the PassMark benchmark (a comprehensive multi-threaded test), it scores 19,332, placing it in the Mid-Range performance tier as a Aging generation product.

SpecificationCore i9-10900E
Cores / ThreadsPhysical/logical processing units10C / 20T
Max Boost ClockPeak single-core speed under boost4.7 GHz
Base ClockGuaranteed minimum operating frequency2.8 GHz
ArchitectureCPU microarchitecture designComet Lake (2020−2025)
Process NodeFabrication technology — smaller = more efficient14 nm
L3 CacheShared cache — reduces memory latency for all cores20 MB (total)
L2 CachePer-core fast cache for frequently accessed data256 kB (per core)
L1 CacheUltra-fast per-core cache64 kB (per core)
Die SizePhysical silicon area of the processor206 mm2
64-bit SupportYes
Windows 11 CompatibleYes
PassMark ScoreOverall multi-threaded benchmark score19,332
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10900E fits into the LGA1200 socket and supports PCIe 4.0 with 16 total PCIe lanes for expansion cards and storage. It supports DDR4 memory at speeds up to DDR4-2933 (faster RAM improves bandwidth-sensitive workloads), with a maximum capacity of 128 GB across 2 channels (dual-channel doubles bandwidth). Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 630 — allows display output without a dedicated GPU, useful for troubleshooting and light tasks.

SpecificationCore i9-10900E
TypeDesktop or Laptop processordesktop
SocketMotherboard socket requiredLGA1200
PCIe GenerationPeripheral interconnect speed — affects GPU and SSD bandwidthPCIe 4.0
PCIe LanesTotal available lanes for GPUs, NVMe drives, and expansion16
RAM TypeSupported memory standardDDR4
Max RAM SpeedMaximum officially supported memory frequencyDDR4-2933
Max RAM CapacityMaximum installable memory128 GB
RAM ChannelsDual-channel doubles bandwidth vs single-channel2
ECC SupportError-Correcting Code memory — prevents data corruptionNo
Integrated GPUBuilt-in graphics processorUHD Graphics 630
Compatible ChipsetsMotherboard chipsets that support this CPULGA1200
Max CPUs in ConfigMulti-socket support for servers1
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d — enables running virtual machines efficiently (important for development and server workloads).

SpecificationCore i9-10900E
OverclockingWhether CPU clock can be manually increased🔒 Locked
AVX-512Advanced vector instructions for AI/ML workloads❌ Not Supported
VirtualizationHardware-assisted virtualization technologyVT-x, VT-d
🌡️

Power & Cooling

The Core i9-10900E has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 65 Watt — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed. No stock cooler is included — you will need to purchase an aftermarket cooler separately. Recommended cooling: Stock.

SpecificationCore i9-10900E
TDPThermal Design Power — heat output under sustained workload65 Watt
Included CoolerStock cooler bundled in the boxNo
Recommended CoolerSuggested aftermarket cooling solutionStock
💰

Value Analysis

At an average price of $450 (MSRP: $488), the Core i9-10900E delivers 43 PassMark points per dollar. Performance ranking position: #813 out of all indexed processors.

SpecificationCore i9-10900E
MSRPManufacturer's Suggested Retail Price$488
Avg Price (30d)Average market price over the last 30 days$450
Launch PriceOriginal retail price at launch$488
Performance RankPosition in overall performance ranking#813
Release DateLaunch date30 April 2020 (5 years ago)
Release Year2020
DesignerArchitecture designer (e.g. Intel, AMD)Intel
ManufacturerFabrication foundry (e.g. TSMC)Intel

Specifications Reference

Raw spec sheet for quick lookup. The analysis cards above explain what these fields mean in practice.

4 categories

General Information

7 specs

Typedesktop
DesignerIntel
Launch Price$488
ManufacturerIntel
Release Date30 April 2020 (5 years ago)
Architecture CodenameComet Lake (2020−2025)
Performance Ranking Position813

Technical Specifications

11 specs

Cores10
Threads20
Die Size206 mm2
L1 Cache64 kB (per core)
L2 Cache256 kB (per core)
L3 Cache20 MB (total)
Max Frequency4.7 GHz
64-Bit Support+
Base Frequency2.8 GHz
Process Technology14 nm
Windows 11 Compatible+

Compatibility

4 specs

SocketLGA1200
PCIe GenerationPCIe 4.0
Power Consumption (TDP)65 Watt
Max Processors In Config1

Memory

1 spec

RAM TypesDDR4

Similar Performance

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Our Recommendation for Core i9-10900E

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