Intel i5 10th Gen Desktop CPUs: Our Top Picks

Intel 10th Generation Desktop Processors

Intel^® 10th generation Intel^® Core™ processors power some of today's most advanced desktop PCs and All-in-Ones. Compared to earlier Intel CPUs, these 10th Gen Intel Core chips boast faster speeds, more cores and threads, and screaming-fast connectivity options – enough to lift even a basic desktop system to new heights.

NOTE: These 10th Gen Intel Core™ desktop processors were later succeeded by newer models, including 12th Gen Intel^® Core™ desktop processors.

The first 10th gen processors launched in 2019 and 2020, with Intel touting the benefits for content creators, business pros, and competitive gamers alike. In fact, at the time, Intel said its new Core i9-10900K chip powered the "world's fastest gaming desktop."^1,2

Additional, still newer 10th gen Intel Core CPUs continue to come out. Most processor generations extend for 3-4 years or longer (often overlapping with other generations), meaning Intel's 10th gen chips should be powering high-end desktop PCs for years to come.

Lenovo desktop PCs with 10th generation Intel CPUs

At Lenovo, you'll find powerful 10th gen Intel Core processors across our desktop PC line-up:

• ThinkCentre business desktops: The best-known name in desktop PCs the world over
• Legion gaming towers and cubes: Powerful systems for gamers seeking a competitive edge
• IdeaCentre towers and all-in-ones: PCs with reliable performance and impressive style
• ThinkStation workstations: Top-of-the-line processing for demanding applications

Whether you’re looking to dominate the latest games, stream 4K video or boost your work output with the latest business productivity applications, Intel’s 10th gen processors deliver the goods – and empower you to do more.

10th Gen Intel Core desktop processor features

The Intel Core series of multi-core, multi-thread CPUs have long been market leaders. Each physical core acts as a separate CPU, and each core is split into multiple virtual cores or threads to process each command and computation you demand. Intel Hyper-Threading Technology splits up and pushes workloads through all the threads simultaneously, improving performance dramatically compared to CPUs without hyper-threading or with fewer cores and threads.

Intel's 10th gen desktop CPUs have higher maximum core and thread counts than earlier generations of the Core processor line. But there's much more to these new 10th gen chips:

• 10th gen desktop performance:

  When speed is critical, there's Intel Thermal Velocity Boost3 (enables out-of-the-box frequencies up to 5.0 GHz or more) and Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 (automatically lifts speeds on lightly-threaded apps).

• 10th gen desktop connectivity:

  Now you can transfer large files faster than ever. Intel Ethernet Connection I225 enables twice the network speeds of 1 GB Ethernet.4,5 Or cut the cord entirely with Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201.

• 10th gen desktop performance tuning:

  Push the limits on unlocked/overclockable 10th gen CPUs using Intel’s Enhanced Voltage Frequency Control, PCIe Overclocking (for discrete graphics), and Per-Core Hyper-Threading Controls.

Plus, like all the top processor manufacturers, Intel works with more than 200 popular independent software vendors (ISVs) to ensure its processors support all the features of today's most popular titles – from PC games and game engines to CAD applications and AI software.

Why choose a 10th Gen Intel Core processor desktop?

There’s a reason Intel’s 10th gen Core desktop processors are popular. They offer something for everyone: new frequency boosting options, better wireless capability, and more.

See Table 1 for a list of the notable features and benefits of Intel 10th generation desktop CPUs.*

Table 1:

10th generation Intel Core desktop processors – features and benefits

* Table 1 lists the announced features of the first 10th gen Intel Core desktop CPUs to be released. Some features may not be available in every 10th gen Intel chip, and not every 10th gen Intel chip will be available in Lenovo desktop systems. Before buying, consumers should always confirm the stated specifications and performance estimates of any system they consider.

Comparing 10th generation Intel Core desktop CPUs

As always, when Intel launches a new processor generation, the improvements stretch across the entire Core line-up. So whether you’re eyeing an entry-level desktop with a Core i3 chip, a mainstream Core i5/Core i7 model, or a gaming tower or PC workstation with an advanced Core i9 CPU, there’s a 10th generation Core processor feature or performance metric that will interest you.

See Table 2 to learn how the initial 10th gen Intel Core desktop CPUs compared when first released.**

Table 2:

10th generation Intel Core desktop processors – Comparison⁸

** Any list of processor specifications by generation is a snapshot in time; newer, improved versions of each chip will likely be released over time. So Table 2 is accurate as regards the first 10th gen desktop processors released by Intel; consumers should confirm the exact configuration and performance estimates before buying a system.

Anyone eyeing a new desktop PC should take a long look at Intel’s 10th gen Core desktops. You’ll find them in virtually every Lenovo desktop series, from ThinkCentre desktops and IdeaCentre towers and all-in-ones to ThinkStation workstations and Lenovo Legion gaming towers and cubes.

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