Intel Core i9-10910 socket: LGA 1200
The Intel Core i9-10910 uses the LGA 1200 socket. It is a 125 W Apple OEM ten core Comet Lake processor with UHD Graphics 630.
- Socket
- LGA 1200
- Launched
- August 2020
- Cores and threads
- 10 and 20
- Base power
- 125 W
- Codename
- Comet Lake
- Segment
- Desktop
- Family
- Intel Core i9
- Clocks
- 3.6 / 5.0 GHz
Intel Core i9-10910 specifications
| Cores | 10 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 20 |
| Core architecture | Skylake based cores on 14 nm |
| Clocks | 3.6 GHz base, up to 5.0 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 |
| Cache | 20 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 125 W |
| Manufacturing process | 14 nm |
| Memory support | DDR4 up to 2933 MT/s, two channels, up to 128 GB |
| PCI Express | 16 lanes from the CPU, PCIe 3.0 |
| Integrated graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 630 (350 MHz base, up to 1.20 GHz) |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| ECC memory | Not supported |
| Package | FCLGA1200 |
Motherboard and chipset compatibility
Intel Core i9-10910 needs a motherboard with a LGA 1200 socket. The table shows which chipset series accept it.
| Series | Chipsets | Support |
|---|---|---|
| 500 series | Z590, H570, B560, H510, Q570, W580 | Works out of the box |
| 400 series: Z490, H470, Q470, W480 | Z490, H470, Q470, W480 | Works out of the box |
| 400 series: B460, H410 | B460, H410 | Works out of the box |
Board makers publish a CPU support list for every model. Check it for your exact board before buying. Chipset details for LGA 1200.
LGA 1200 at a glance
| Type | LGA, 1,200 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | 37.5 × 37.5 mm |
| Introduced | April 2020 |
| Memory | DDR4 only |
| Cooler mounting holes | 75 × 75 mm |
What the Core i9-10910 is
The Core i9-10910 is a ten core, twenty thread Comet Lake desktop processor built for Apple all in one systems. It appeared in August 2020 with a high 3.6 GHz base and up to 5.0 GHz boost at 125 W. The SKU was not sold at retail in boxed form, so most units come from salvaged iMac boards or OEM trays.
The high base clock separates it from the 65 W i9-10900 and the 125 W i9-10900K. Single core boost stops at 5.0 GHz without Velocity Boost tables, while all core sustained speed benefits from the high base. Twenty megabytes of L3 support creation threads in macOS and Windows through Boot Camp era boards.
UHD Graphics 630 is present, though Apple designs pair the chip with discrete Radeon Pro graphics. Thermal design centers on the iMac cooling assembly rather than a retail tower. Buyers who find the chip loose should confirm board BIOS support before purchase, since some Z490 boards list it while budget boards do not.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The i9-10910 fits LGA 1200 in a hardware sense, with FCLGA1200 packaging and the Comet Lake pinout. Practical support depends on the board BIOS including this OEM SKU. Many Z490 and Z590 boards post it, while H410 and B460 boards often lack a microcode entry.
Power needs match 125 W K class parts, so heatsinked stages and strong airflow are required. A thin entry board can throttle or refuse to boot. Boards for LGA 1151 are incompatible.
The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide explains why socket fit alone does not guarantee posting for OEM SKUs. A Z490 board with a confirmed BIOS revision is the safest host for a loose 10910.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
DDR4-2933 in two channels up to 128 GB is the rated memory design. Apple configurations use SODIMM pairs in the iMac chassis. Retail Z boards can run faster XMP kits where the BIOS allows.
PCIe 3.0 x16 from the CPU serves discrete graphics, with NVMe through board lanes. The iMac design pairs the chip with a Radeon Pro GPU on the internal link. On retail boards the usual high end 2020 GPU plus NVMe layout applies.
Cooling must handle 125 W continuous plus bursts. The 75 mm LGA 1200 pattern accepts large towers and 240 mm liquid units. The CPU cooler compatibility by socket guide covers bracket reuse from LGA 1151 era coolers.
Upgrade paths
On retail LGA 1200 boards the i9-10900K offers higher boost with an unlocked multiplier, while the i9-10850K offers similar ten core performance at retail availability. Both need Z boards for their best behavior. The 10910 to 10900K move mainly adds boost headroom.
A platform change to LGA 1700 with a Intel Core i7-12700 brings hybrid cores and DDR5 for creation. For iMac owners, the practical path is memory and SSD expansion rather than a CPU swap, since the chip is already near the top of its chassis.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Intel Core i9-10910 use?
It uses LGA 1200 in FCLGA1200 packaging.
Was the i9-10910 sold at retail?
No. It shipped as an Apple OEM option, so loose units come from OEM channels.
Will the i9-10910 work in any LGA 1200 board?
Not always. It needs a board BIOS that includes this OEM SKU, often a Z490 or Z590 model.
How fast is the i9-10910?
3.6 GHz base with up to 5.0 GHz boost across ten cores.
What memory does the i9-10910 use?
DDR4-2933 in two channels up to 128 GB.
Sources and verification
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .