Intel's 10th-generation Core desktop chips are just a breath away from official release, with the biggest improvements coming to those who don't have the most expensive models. Rumors are that a Comet Lake-S CPU lineup will see every Core chip, from the i3 to the i9, feature Hyperthreading. You might not need to buy a Core i7 or better to really get strong multitasking performance from your system.
In addition to the aforementioned major upgrade, there are other smaller - but welcome - improvements. The 3.7GHz Core i9-10900K (3.7GHz) and its non-K variant (2.8GHz) will support a Velocity Boost feature that will boost clock speeds as long as thermals allow. Otherwise, you'll have to make do with regular Turbo Boost.
Additionally, the eight-core i7, six-core i5, and four-core i3 series are expected to see clock speeds increase from 100MHz to 200MHz. The processors will support up to 2,933MHz DDR4 memory, while the batch will feature improved chip and memory overclocking, as well as support for 2.5Gbps Ethernet and WiFi 6.
There's no word on an exact release date for the 10th-gen lineup, but Intel has a habit of debuting its processors at CES. We wouldn't be surprised if they're announced at the January 2020 event. There's certainly pressure for a quick release, as AMD 's latest Ryzen processors are extremely competitive and often offer more cores at a lower price. Intel's refresh could negate at least some of those advantages.
Who do you prefer?
