After Core i3, it looks like Intel will also be giving their Core i5 lineup multi-threading support with their 10th Gen Comet Lake lineup. The supporting evidence is once again the SiSoftware database where the desktop 10th Gen Core i5 (Comet Lake) processor has been spotted along with its preliminary specifications.

Intel's 10th Gen Core i5 Desktop CPU Spotted With With Multi-Threading Support

While not explicitly listed as a Core i5 processor, the listing shows a desktop part with 6 cores and 12 threads. Surely, there have been many 6 core processors launched by Intel recently such as the Core i7-8700K and the Core i7-8086K. Other than that, Intel also launched the 10th Gen notebook line with 6 cores and 12 threads (also part of the Comet Lake family).

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The difference here, is that this entry is particularly for a desktop part which was tested on an ECS H470-SF110 platform. So once again, the chip tested features 6 cores and 12 threads. There's only the base clock mentioned that is configured at 2.00 GHz, hinting at an early 'ES' SKU. There's also 3 MB of L2 and 12 MB of L3 cache on the processor. This is also a month older entry than the Core i3 one which we saw earlier which might explain the lower clock speeds.

This entry is another proof that Intel is bringing multi-threading support across their entire 10th Gen lineup. The Intel Core i3 models will get 4 cores and 8 threads, the Core i5 models will get 6 cores and 12 threads, the Core i7 models will get 8 cores and 16 threads and lastly, the Core i9 models will get 10 cores and 20 threads. In short, here's what's going to happen, the 10th Gen Core i3 replaces the 7th Gen desktop flagship, the 10th Gen Core i5 replaces the 8th Gen desktop flagship, the 10th Gen Core i7 replaces the 9th Gen Core i9 flagship and the 10th Gen Core i9 will retain its top position as the new flagship of the lineup.

That's a pretty decent lineup in my opinion, especially when looking at the clock speed advantage that Intel has with their 14nm+++ process node and they still retain a slight IPC lead over AMD Ryzen processors.

In my previous post, I explained that while Core i3 getting multi-threading support is good news, the bulk of Intel mainstream sales used to come from Core i5 and Core i7 models. With Ryzen 3000 and persistent supply issues, that's not the case anymore. The Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 3rd Gen lineup has completely demolished Intel's mainstream parts, but if priced right, Intel's Core i5, and Core i7 may once again become a popular product line for mainstream users.

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If Intel's prices are anything to go by, the flagship Core i9 10 core / 20 thread chip could hit a retail price of around $500 US. How is that possible? Well, Intel has already priced their HEDT processor, the Core i9-10900X which boasts 10 cores and 20 threads at $590 US. The processor has up to 4.7 GHz boost clocks and 13.75 MB of L3 cache and a 125W TDP. Considering that Intel charged a huge premium for their previous 8 core HEDT chip, the Core i7-7820X at $600 US compared to the main-stream part which retailed at $480 US, Intel could give us a very competitive chip against the Ryzen 9 3900X. Even the 9th Gen HEDT Core i9-9900X retails for $900 US which is a huge premium when compared to the upcoming 10 core HEDT model.

More recently, an alleged slide detailing the Comet Lake-based 10th Generation desktop lineup leaked out which can be seen below (rumored and not confirmed):

Intel 10th Gen 'Comet Lake' CPU Lineup 'Alleged' Specifications:

Processor Name Process Node Cores / Threads Base Clock Boost Clock (Single Core) Graphics Cache TDP Price Intel Core i9-10900KF 14nm+++ 10/20 3.4 GHz 5.2 GHz N/A 20 MB 105W $499 US Intel Core i9-10900F 14nm+++ 10/20 3.2 GHz 5.1 GHz N/A 20 MB 95W $449 US Intel Core i9-10800F 14nm+++ 10/20 2.7 GHz 5.0 GHz N/A 20 MB 65W $409 US Intel Core i7-10700K 14nm+++ 8/16 3.6 GHz 5.1 GHz UHD 730 16 MB 95W $339 US Intel Core i7-10700 14nm+++ 8/16 3,1 GHz 4.9 GHz UHD 730 16 MB 65W $299 US Intel Core i5-10600K 14nm+++ 6/12 3.7 GHz 4.9 GHz UHD 730 12 MB 95W $269 US Intel Core i5-10600 14nm+++ 6/12 3.2 GHz 4.8 GHz UHD 730 12 MB 65W $229 US Intel Core i5-10500 14nm+++ 6/12 3.1 GHz 4.6 GHz UHD 730 12 MB 65W $199 US Intel Core i5-10400 14nm+++ 6/12 3.0 GHz 4.4 GHz UHD 730 12 MB 65W $179 US Intel Core i3-10350K 14nm+++ 4/8 4.1 GHz 4.8 GHz UHD 730 9 MB 91W $179 US Intel Core i3-10320 14nm+++ 4/8 4.0 GHz 4.7 GHz UHD 730 9 MB 91W $159 US Intel Core i3-10300 14nm+++ 4/8 3.8 GHz 4.5 GHz UHD 730 9 MB 62W $149 US Intel Core i3-10100 14nm+++ 4/8 3.7 GHz 4.4 GHz UHD 730 7 MB 62W $129 US

Comet Lake-S 10th Gen CPUs and 400-Series Platform - Here's What We Know So Far

The Intel Comet Lake-S lineup will be branded as their 10th Generation CPU family. Featuring the 14nm++ process node and architecture that has been upgraded since Skylake, the new CPU lineup aims to offer better clock speeds and more cores to enthusiasts. While 8th Gen brought us 6 cores on the mainstream platform and 9th Gen brought to us 8 cores, 10th Gen will bring us 10 cores and 20 threads.

The platform will be able to support enthusiast 125W CPUs, 65W mainstream CPUs, and 35W low power CPUs. The socket will be different and mentioned to be LGA 1200. These are 49 more pins than the existing LGA 1151 socket so we can say goodbye to compatibility on current boards. Some key features of the 10th Generation line are listed below:

Excellent Multi-Thread Performance

Up To 10 processor cores and 20 threads

Enhanced core and memory overclocking

Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0

Media and display capabilities

Rec.2020 & HDR Support

HEVC 10-bit HW decode/encode

VP9 10-bit HW decode

Premium UHD / 4K Content Support

Integrated USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gb/s)

Support for integrated Intel Wireless-AX

Gigabit Wi-Fi 802-11ax (160MHz) & Bluetooth 5

Support for next-generation Intel Optane memory

Other Features

Support for Thunderbolt 3 technology

Support for Intel Smart Sound Technology with quad-core audio DSP

Support for Modern Standby

Intel Desktop CPU Generations Comparison:

Intel Sandy Bridge Intel Ivy Bridge Intel Haswell Intel Broadwell Intel Skylake Intel Kaby Lake Intel Coffee Lake Intel Coffee Lake Refresh Intel Comet Lake Intel Rocket Lake Processor Architecture Sandy Bridge Ivy Bridge Haswell Broadwell Skylake Kaby Lake Coffee Lake Coffee Lake Comet Lake Rocket Lake Processor Process 32nm 22nm 22nm 14nm 14nm 14nm+ 14nm++ 14nm++ 14nm++ 14nm++ Processors Cores (Max) 4/8 4/8 4/8 4/8 4/8 4/8 6/12 8/16 10/20 10/20? Platform Chipset 6-Series 7-Series 8-Series 9-Series 100-Series 200-Series 300-Series 300-Series 400-Series 400-Series? Platform Socket LGA 1155 LGA 1155 LGA 1150 LGA 1150 LGA 1151 LGA 1151 LGA 1151 LGA 1151 LGA 1200 TBD Memory Support DDR3 DDR3 DDR3 DDR3 DDR4/DDR3L DDR4/DDR3L DDR4 DDR4 DDR4 DDR4 TDPs 35-95W 35-77W 35-84W 65W 35-91W 35-91W 35-95W 35-95W 35-127W TBD Platform Desktop LGA Desktop LGA Desktop LGA Desktop LGA Desktop LGA Desktop LGA Desktop LGA Desktop LGA Desktop LGA Desktop LGA Launch 2011 2012 2013-2014 2015 2015 2017 2017 2018 2020 2021

One big change to the platform will be the number of available PCIe lanes. Intel isn’t pushing the move to PCIe Gen 4 yet like AMD, but they are planning to offer more PCIe lanes compared to AMD’s Ryzen 3000 / X570 platform. The platform details mention up to 46 I/O lanes, 30 of which will be provided by the chipset. That means that the CPUs will still feature 16 PCIe lanes, but the PCH will boast a higher number. Several Z490, H470, B460, and H410 motherboards have already been spotted in ECC listings so motherboard makers are definitely working ahead of time to prep for Intel's next big desktop launch.

There will be 24 PCIe 3.0 lanes while the rest will be powering different I/O channels. There is also support for Intel’s Optane memory on the LGA 1200 platform, so that is something to look forward too. The platform block diagram is also provided which seems to suggest that DDR4-2666 (native) compatibility will be retained. Expect to hear more details by Intel on their 10th Gen desktop lineup at CES 2020 with a launch planned later on.