Intel Core i5-10600K Processor

The Intel Core i5-10600K Processor — 6 cores and 12 threads, 4.1 GHz base rising to 4.8 GHz with Turbo Boost, 12 MB Intel Smart Cache, 125 W processor base power, LGA1200. Supplied from stock with a 1-year warranty.

The unlocked 4.8 GHz Comet Lake

The i5-10600K is the enthusiast Comet Lake i5: six cores, twelve threads, 4.10 GHz base — the highest base clock Intel had shipped on a mainstream i5 — with a 4.80 GHz Turbo, an unlocked multiplier and a 125 W envelope. Launched Q2 2020.

The high base clock means the all-core load holds 4.5 GHz-class clocks even before overclocking, which is why it stayed competitive in sustained work. Overclocking requires a Z490/Z590 board; H410/B460/H470/Q470 run it at stock with the Turbo enabled. Intel UHD Graphics 630 is on package.

Technical specifications

Instruction set extensions: Intel SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX and AVX2. Security and virtualisation: AES-NI, Intel VT-x with EPT and VT-d.

Which systems take this processor

Anything on the LGA1200 socket with an Intel 400 or 500 series chipset: H410, B460, H470, Q470, Z490, W480, H510, B560 and Z590. 10th Generation Core parts run on both chipset generations out of the box.

• Business desktops and SFF machines — Dell OptiPlex 3080 / 5080 / 7080, HP EliteDesk 800 G6 / ProDesk 600 G6, Lenovo ThinkCentre M70t / M90t. The 65 W envelope is what these chassis were designed around.
• Entry workstations — HP Z1 G6, Dell Precision 3640, Lenovo ThinkStation P340, where six cores with Hyper-Threading cover office, CAD and light simulation work.
• Micro-server and NAS builds — W480 and Q470 boards accept Core i5 parts with ECC UDIMMs, and the integrated graphics keeps the platform usable without a discrete card.

One caveat when buying a board separately: 400 series boards may need a BIOS update before they recognise a later 10th Generation stepping. Tell us the board or the machine model when you enquire and we will confirm before you order.

How it compares across the i5 line

The 11600K is the Rocket Lake successor: 19% more instructions per clock, PCIe 4.0 and a 4.90 GHz Turbo at the same 125 W — the upgrade path if the board supports 11th Generation. For a locked-clock build the 10400 gives the same twelve threads at 65 W.

How each processor is tested before it ships

1. Visual inspection of the integrated heat spreader, substrate and contact pads; the sSpec laser marking (SRH6R on our i5-10600K stock) is verified against the Intel specification sheet.
2. Burn-in on a matched diagnostic board with a pair of memory modules of the correct type for this platform.
3. All populated memory channels and the primary PCIe lanes are validated, then the processor is identified in the BIOS and in the operating system.
4. A sustained multi-threaded load test at full core count, with the clock and thermal readings recorded.
5. Thermal paste cleaned off, final inspection, then packaging in an anti-static tray with foam — which is how it arrives to you.

Warranty and lead time

Every processor is covered by a 1-year warranty against defects in workmanship and function. If a part fails within the period we replace it or refund it, and we cover return shipping on a verified fault. Stock is held in our own warehouse and normally dispatches within three to seven working days; tracking is issued at dispatch.

Purchasing and volume enquiries

The minimum order quantity for this processor is 2 units. Price is quotation-based rather than listed, because CPU pricing moves with each incoming batch — send us the quantity you need and we will come back with a firm quote and the current lead time. Larger quantities ship from the same production batch so the sSpec and the stepping stay consistent across your order.