
Intel has quietly reintroduced its 14nm+++ Comet Lake architecture by launching the Core i5-110 desktop processor, despite publicly committing to phase out the aging node. Released in Q3 2025, the new chip is effectively a relabeled Core i5-10400 from 2020, offering the same six cores, 12 threads, 2.9 GHz base, 4.3 GHz boost clocks, and 12 MB L3 cache.
Curious Branding and Positioning
Intel placed the Core i5-110 within its Core Series 1 family—historically dedicated to mobile Raptor Lake parts—following the mysterious launch of the Core 5 120. Priced at $200, it matches the original i5-10400’s MSRP, despite now using one of the cheapest-to-manufacture processes. The chip supports the legacy LGA1200 socket and DDR4 memory, limiting compatibility to 400- and 500-series motherboards.
Legacy Support or Misstep?
Industry observers suggest the reintroduction addresses specific OEM demand for legacy upgrades without full platform replacements. However, it contradicts Intel’s strategic push toward newer architectures like Arrow Lake, launched in October 2024 with advanced NPU capabilities, DDR5 support, and improved efficiency. Critics warn that Intel’s increasingly complex naming and overlapping product lines risk confusing customers and diluting its high-end roadmap.
This unexpected comeback of Comet Lake underscores the tension between maintaining legacy support and driving next-generation innovation within Intel’s sprawling product portfolio.