CPU - Intel Desktop

These new high-end Core X CPUs are based on the Cascade Lake X architecture and are designed to fit into the Socket 2066 and so require an Intel X299 motherboard. These CPUs support up to 18 cores plus HyperThreading and so are ideal for heavy multitasking and content creation applications.

Intel 11th generation Core i5 Rocket Lake processors have 6 physical cores plus Hyper Threading technology, allowing them to work on up to 12 threads simultaneously.

These Socket 1200 CPUs are ideally paired with a 500-series motherboard, although some older 400-series motherboards are not compatible after a BIOS update. However, you will not get the full benefit of the CPU, such as PCIe 4.0 using a 400-series motherboard.

Intel 10th generation Core i9 Comet Lake processors have 10 physical cores plus Hyper Threading technology, allowing them to work on up to 20 threads simultaneously.

These CPUs use the new Socket 1200 so require a new Z490 motherboard and are not compatible with Z390 motherboards. However, most Socket 1151 coolers are compatible with Socket 1200 CPUs.

Intel 11th generation Core i7 Rocket Lake processors have 8 physical cores plus Hyper Threading technology, allowing them to work on up to 16 threads simultaneously, but have slower clock speeds than Core i9 processors.

These Socket 1200 CPUs are ideally paired with a 500-series motherboard, although some older 400-series motherboards are not compatible after a BIOS update. However, you will not get the full benefit of the CPU, such as PCIe 4.0 using a 400-series motherboard.

Intel 10th generation Core i7 Comet Lake processors have 8 physical cores plus Hyper Threading technology, allowing them to work on up to 16 threads simultaneously.

These CPUs use the new Socket 1200 so require a new Z490 motherboard and are not compatible with Z390 motherboards. However, most Socket 1151 coolers are compatible with Socket 1200 CPUs.

Intel 11th generation Core i9 Rocket Lake processors have 8 physical cores plus Hyper Threading technology, allowing them to work on up to 16 threads simultaneously.

These Socket 1200 CPUs are ideally paired with a 500-series motherboard, although some older 400-series motherboards are not compatible after a BIOS update. However, you will not get the full benefit of the CPU, such as PCIe 4.0 using a 400-series motherboard.

Intel 10th generation Core i5 Comet Lake processors have 6 physical cores plus Hyper Threading technology, allowing them to work on up to 12 threads simultaneously.

These CPUs use the new Socket 1200 so require a new Z490 motherboard and are not compatible with Z390 motherboards. However, most Socket 1151 coolers are compatible with Socket 1200 CPUs.

Intel 10th generation Core i3 Comet Lake processors have 4 physical cores plus Hyper Threading technology, allowing them to work on up to 8 threads simultaneously.

These CPUs use the new Socket 1200 so require a new Z490 motherboard and are not compatible with Z390 motherboards. However, most Socket 1151 coolers are compatible with Socket 1200 CPUs.

These 8th & 9th Generation Intel Core i3 Coffee Lake quad-core processors are much faster than the cheaper Celeron and Pentium models thanks to having more cores and cache memory which enables them to process up to four threads at a time. Due to their higher frequency and larger cache Core i3's are much faster than Pentiums, and are the cheapest CPU we recommend for a more intensive tasks such as gaming and image editing.

Important - Please Note: Despite using the same LGA1151 socket as 6th & 7th Gen. CPUs, ONLY Intel 300 Series Motherboards are compatible with these 8th Gen. 'Coffee Lake' & 9th Gen. 'Coffee Lake Refresh' CPUs.