Intel claims fastest gaming processor

By Gina Roos, editor-in-chief

Intel Corp. has launched its fastest gaming processor, the 10th Gen Intel Core S-series desktop processors, including the flagship Core i9-10900K processor . The processor reaches speeds up to 5.3 GHz out of the box with the Intel Thermal Velocity Boost. This technology automatically increases clock frequency by up to 200 MHz if the processor temperature is 65°C or lower and the turbo power budget is available.

The i9-10900K features up to 10 cores, 20 threads, and DDR4-2933 memory speeds to deliver smoother gaming. It also delivers more tuning control and faster multitasking. Thanks to the new Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0, it also provides automatic performance boosts on lightly or single-threaded applications.

The 10th Gen Intel Core S-series processors also comes packed with a bunch of other goodies, including Intel Hyperthreading Technology, enhanced core and memory overclocking, 2.5G Intel Ethernet Connection I225 (delivering greater than 2× the network speeds of 1-GB Ethernet on existing cabling). It also features Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 for nearly 3× faster downloads and more reliable connections.

The 10th Gen Intel Core S-series processors are expected to be available globally starting in May.

The new 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900K is Intel’s response to AMD’s flagship 16-core Ryzen 9 3950X processor for gamers. Intel claims that the 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900K is faster than the Ryzen 9 3950x based on in-game performance benchmarks.

Introduced in November 2019, the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X processor touts 2× more energy-efficient processing power compared to the competition (the Core i9-9920X and Core i9-9900K) as the fastest 16-core consumer desktop processor (compared to Intel’s fastest 16-core Core i9-9960X). AMD said it offers up to a 22% performance increase over previous generations. Built on the “Zen 2” architecture, the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X also delivers in power efficiency, with a thermal design power (TDP) of 105 W.

According to Intel’s in-game performance benchmarks, the Core i9-10900K processor is beating the Ryzen 9 3950X on speed.

But is Intel also winning on price? “The price for the Core i9-10900X is extremely aggressive at under $600,” said Kevin Krewell, principal analyst, Tirias Research. “This is a direct response to AMD’s new Ryzen 9 processors. In the past, Intel would charge over $1,000 for a high-end gaming CPU. Intel’s new low prices should help stabilize market share and reduce future losses.”

Krewell expects that AMD will continue to improve performance and keep prices competitive. “It should be noted that Intel’s chip is still made in a 14-nm process, which is mature and still can deliver high performance,” he added.

(Image: PassMark Software)

AMD also continues to make some big gains in share. A couple of years ago, analysts were forecasting that AMD’s processor market share could reach 25% to 30% by 2020, and they were right on the money. PassMark Software’s market share trends show AMD at 33.9% share in Q1 2020, and AMD hasn’t been in the 30th percentile since Q3/Q4 2007.