
10th Gen Intel Core i9 10980HK
- iGPU:
- Intel UHD Graphics for 10th Gen Intel Processors
- Boost/Base Clock:
- 5.3 GHz / 2.4 GHz
- Core/Thread Count:
- 8 Core / 16 Thread
- Cache:
- 16MB L3 + 2MB L2 + 512KB L1
- TDP:
- 45 W
- CPU Process Node:
- 14 Nanometers
- CPU Series:
- Comet Lake, 10th Gen Intel Core
- Form Factor:
- Laptop
Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
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.
Our verdict
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
Specifications
What these specs meanIdentity
| Brand | Intel |
|---|---|
| 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 | FCBGA1440 |
| Socket Status | End of Life |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| TDP | 45 W |
| iGPU | Intel UHD Graphics for 10th Gen Intel Processors |
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10980HK?
The 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10980HK has 8 cores and 16 threads, a 2.4 GHz base and 5.3 GHz boost clock, 16 MB of L3 cache and a 45 W TDP. Integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630. Socket: FCBGA1440.
Who is the 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10980HK best suited to?
Best suited to: Enthusiast gaming laptops wanting an unlocked, overclockable mobile flagship chip.
What are the drawbacks of the 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10980HK?
Not the best fit for: Buyers not planning to overclock, the standard i7-10870H delivers similar stock performance for less.
Compare and read more
- 8th Gen Intel Core i7 8565U vs 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10980HK
- 8th Gen Intel Core i7 8557U vs 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10980HK
- 8th Gen Intel Core i7 8550U vs 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10980HK
- 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10980HK vs 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900H
- 10th Gen Intel Core i9 10980HK vs 11th Gen Intel Core i9-11980HK
- AMD Zen 6 (Ryzen 10000): Release Date, Specs, AM5 Support and Should You Wait
- Best AM5 Motherboard for Ryzen 9000 and X3D CPUs
