Intel’s upcoming laptop processor just appeared on Geekbench running at 5.3 GHz

Given the circumstances, the processor was most probably not running in a laptop form factor. But for those who want the ultimate (potential) performance in a laptop, well you can look no further than Intel’s refreshed 14nm parts from the Comet Lake series. Specifically, the Intel Core i9 10980HK, as it was just leaked on Geekbench running at a ridiculous 5.27 GHz.

The rest of the specifications hint to Intel just cramming an Intel Core i9 9900K into a 45W TDP envelop. That was the same case for the Intel Core i9 9980HK too, which featured the same 8C/16T configuration. It must be noted that the way Intel measures TDP allows for this, as the Core i9 9980HK sports a lowly 2.4 GHz base clock, while the Core i9 10980HK looks like it will come with a much more impressive 3.1 GHz base clock.

We might actually see Intel try and force a 5.3 GHz boost clock, although most probably only on a single core. Even then, I would assume that thermals will be a real issue but that’s probably less of Intel’s concern. Their OEM partners will have to design the cooling solutions to cool them, and as far as we can tell, issues have started cropping up since Intel started cramming more than four cores into laptops. Good luck!

What do you think OEMs will have to do to keep the monstrous Intel Core i9 10980HK cool? Drop your comments down below!

Pokdepinion: Maximum performance… But at what costs?