Intel

10th Gen Intel Core i9 10980HK

iGPU:: Intel UHD Graphics 630
Boost/Base Clock:: 5.3 GHz / 2.4 GHz
Core/Thread Count:: 8 Core / 16 Thread
Cache:: 16MB L3 + 2MB L2 + 512KB L1
TDP:: 65 Watts
CPU Process Node:: 14 Nanometers
CPU Series:: Comet Lake
Form Factor:: Laptop

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Manufacturer: Intel Last updated: September 9, 2026

10th Gen Intel Core i9 10980HK Review

The 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10980HK is an 8-core, 16-thread unlocked mobile processor built on Comet Lake, reaching up to 5.3 GHz boost clock within a 65 Watt TDP, Intel's overclockable mobile flagship of its generation.

The unlocked "K" designation is genuinely meaningful here: this was one of the few mobile chips of its era that let enthusiasts overclock within the laptop's cooling headroom, appealing specifically to buyers wanting maximum tunable performance.

Intel UHD Graphics 630

A basic integrated GPU intended for display output; laptops built around this flagship chip almost universally pair it with a high-end discrete GPU.

How Is the Core i9 10980HK in Terms of Performance

The unlocked multiplier and 5.3 GHz boost ceiling made this chip Intel's premier mobile overclocking option for its generation, with the higher 65W TDP (versus the standard 45W H-series) giving more thermal headroom to sustain those clocks.

Benchmarks

Cinebench R23 multi-core scores of 10,334 and single-core scores of 1,299 reflect strong flagship-tier performance for Comet Lake. Geekbench 5 multi-core scores of 8,009 confirm genuinely capable 8-core throughput for a 2020-era mobile chip.

Specifications

Identity

Brand	Intel
Product Line	Core i9
Product Line	Core i9
Model Number	10980HK
Codename	Comet Lake-H
Release Year	2020

Segment and platform

Market Segment	Laptop
Microarchitecture	Comet Lake, 10th Gen Intel Core
Socket Status	End of Life
Process Node	14 nm
Process Node	14 nm

Core configuration

Total Cores	8
Performance Cores	8
Efficiency Cores	0
Total Threads	16
SMT Enabled	Yes

Clock speeds

P-Core Base Clock	2.4 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock	5.3 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier	Yes

Cache

L2 Cache	2 MB
L3 Cache	16 MB

Power and thermal

Base Power	65 W

Memory

Memory Type	DDR4
ECC Support	No

Graphics and AI

Integrated Graphics	Yes
iGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU Compute Units	24

Expansion

PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0

Form Factor	Laptop
Core/Thread Count	8 Core / 16 Thread
TDP	65 W
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 630
Cache	16MB L3 + 2MB L2 + 512KB L1
Boost/Base Clock	5.3 GHz / 2.4 GHz

Expert Review

Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.

Best for

Enthusiast gaming laptops wanting an unlocked, overclockable mobile flagship chip

Not for

Buyers not planning to overclock — the standard i7-10870H delivers similar stock performance for less

FAQs

What are the key specifications of the 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10980HK?

The 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10980HK is a processor from Intel. Key specs: iGPU Intel UHD Graphics 630, Boost/Base Clock 5.3 GHz / 2.4 GHz, Core/Thread Count 8 Core / 16 Thread, Cache 16MB L3 + 2MB L2 + 512KB L1, TDP 65 Watts.

Who is the 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10980HK best suited to?

It suits enthusiast gaming laptops wanting an unlocked, overclockable mobile flagship chip.

What are the drawbacks of the 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10980HK?

It is a poor fit for buyers not planning to overclock — the standard i7-10870h delivers similar stock performance for less.