A Closer Look

Our Core i5-10500 sample came in a tray-only package. The retail packaging includes a heatsink, which will help keep overall system cost down.


The Core i5-10500 looks like any LGA1xxx processor released by Intel in the past decade. The processor is only compatible with socket LGA1200 motherboards because the position of the round notches has been changed. It will not work with an older motherboard.


Luckily, socket LGA1200 retains cooler compatibility with all older LGA115x-series sockets. This means you're going to be spoiled for choice when picking a cooler to go with this processor.