▷ Intel core i9

The Intel Core i9-9900K processor has hit the market to break all performance records within the mainstream segment. For the first time, users of the LGA 1151 platform will be able to access an 8-core, 16-thread CPU, something that was unthinkable two years ago when we were stuck on 4-core and 8-threads for more than ten years.

Will it live up to or disappoint us like its younger siblings? Let's see what this little guy is capable of, but a thug. Let's start!

First of all, we thank Intel for the trust placed in ceding the product to us for analysis.

Intel Core i9-9900K technical features

Unboxing and design

The Intel Core i9-9900K processor debuts the spectacular new presentation of the semiconductor giant, a really attractive box that leaves no one indifferent, at least in the commercial version. In our case we have a fairly normal presentation.

We are talking about a very high-end processor, and very expensive, so it was time to bet on a presentation at the height of this new chip. The box continues to have dominance of the color blue, something that we have been seeing in all the brand's processors for many years. When we open the box we find the processor along with all the documentation. The Core i9-9900K comes in a plastic blister pack, so Intel makes sure that it is not damaged in any way during transport.

We take the processor out of the blister and we can already see it in all its glory. The design has not changed anything compared to the previous generation, although there is a crucial difference under the hood, never better said.

This Core i9-9900K processor once again opts for the use of STIM, in other words, Intel has re-soldered the IHS to the die of the processor. This is something that was not seen since Sandy Bridge in 2011 and is of enormous importance. Using STIM will allow heat to dissipate more efficiently, so we can expect this new processor to be much cooler than its predecessors. This feature will delight the most demanding users, since now they will not have the need to make a delid, which voids the guarantee.

The Core i9-9900K is based on the Coffee Lake refresh architecture, which means it is a slight evolution from the eighth generation. Compared to the previous top of the range, the Core i7 8700K, this new Intel Core i9 9900K offers 33% more cores and processing threads, so its performance is expected to increase in the same proportion.

The 9900k arrives breaking molds. 8 cores at breakneck speed.

Intel Core i9-9900K comes in an 8-core, 16-wire configuration, capable of reaching a base frequency of 3.6 GHz, and a maximum turbo frequency of 5 GHz. Its features continue with a 16 MB L3 cache and a TDP of only 95W, very tight for a processor like this. It also includes a dual-channel DDR4 2666 memory controller that supports a maximum of 64GB, more than enough. This memory controller is capable of offering a bandwidth of 41.6 GB / s.

As for the integrated graphics, we continue to have the Intel UHD Graphics 630 so that the evolution in this aspect is nil, it is time to take a leap in the quality of integrated graphics. This iGPU offers 24 EUs that operate at a base frequency of 350 MHz and a turbo frequency of 1200 MHz. It is an integrated graphics processor with a very tight performance for current video games, but with excellent multimedia capabilities and more than enough for users who are not going to play current games.

Intel UHD Graphics 630 has support for Microsoft DirectX 12 and Ultra HD 4K resolution display. It also features Intel Quick Sync video encoding technology, which offers accelerated media processing for blazingly fast conversion. There's also no lack of support for HEVC, and 10-bit H.265 encoding / decoding to play select 4K Ultra HD premium content.

The Intel Core i9-9900K processor is compatible with all current 300 series chipsets, although a motherboard based on the Intel Z390 chipset is required to optimize some of the features it includes. These features include the following:

• Enables full overclocking control.Intel OptaneTM memory support to provide a more responsive system experienceUSB 3.1 Gen 2 integratedIntel Wireless-AC integrated with support for Gigabit Wi-Fi speed4

Test bench and performance tests

TESTING BENCH
Processor:	Intel Core i9-9900K
Base plate:	Asus Z390-E Gaming
RAM:	Corsair Vengeance PRO 16 @ 3600 MHz
Heatsink	Corsair H100i v2
HDD	Samsumg 850 EVO.
Graphic card	Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti 11GB
Power supply	Corsair AX860i.

To check the stability of the Intel Core i9-9900K processor in stock and overclocked. The motherboard we have stressed with Prime 95 Custom and air cooling. The graphics that we have used is an Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti, without further delay, let's see the results obtained in our tests.

Benchmarks (Synthetic tests)

We have tested performance with the enthusiastic platform and the previous generation. Will your purchase be worth it?

• Cinebench R15 (CPU Score).Aida64.3dMARK Fire Strike.VRMARKPCMark 87-ZipBlender Robot.

Game testing

Overclock i9-9900k

We have been able to overclock stable at 4.9 GHz in all its cores with a voltage of 1.39 v. Although we hoped that it would exceed the 5 GHz barrier, we have been able to verify that we would need a somewhat better CPU and custom liquid cooling with a triple radiator.

We have improved 2057 cb to 2118 cb. It is true that it is a brutal improvement, but that plus will come in handy in high performance applications. In Gaming the improvement is hardly noticeable and we believe that it is not necessary to overclock for these purposes, although it slightly improves the minimum FPS.

Consumption and temperature

At the temperature level we have 29 ºC at rest and 80 ºC at maximum performance. We have had a maximum peak of 89 ºC in stock speed and Thermal Throttling has begun in one of its cores.

Would you improve doing DELID? Yes, surely around 5 to 10 ºC. But is it easy to do? No, since the DIE is welded to the IHS with an alloy of Indium and Gallium, it can only be separated if this alloy reaches 150 ºC. The grace of this is to reach that temperature and carry out the DELID process.

This consumption is measured from the power cable of our PC on the wall with prime95 for 12 hours. We have a consumption of 49 W at rest and 261 W at maximum performance. While with Overclock it goes up slightly at rest and at maximum performance.

Final words and conclusion about Intel Core i9-9900K

We like that Intel is launching a 16-core, eight-core processor for the mainstream platform. The Intel Core i9-9900k runs at a speed of 3.6 GHz in stock and with a turbo at 5 GHz, 16 MB of cache, TDP 95 W and compatibility up to 64 GB of RAM at 2666 MHz in Dual Channel.

At the performance level, it offers everything expected of the processor. A super powerful IPC, good temperatures and a very good gaming performance. As we can see in Full HD and 2K resolution we get a lot out of the processor, while in 4K the graphics takes much more presence.

Is that what we expected from the i9-9900k? We are not surprised by its performance and we think that the speed could have been stretched a little more. For users who have an i7-8700K and need two more cores, it seems like a good option. But if you have an i9-7900X we think that at the moment it is not in your interest to switch to this platform. Because the 24 LANES PCI Express can be differential when it comes to choosing the enthusiastic platform: LGA 2066 with its 44 LANES.

Surely you are interested in reading our guide to the best processors on the market.

Can I use this processor with a Z370 motherboard? Yes, although when we were at the presentation of ASUS ROG motherboards in London a month ago. We were lucky to interview the Asus engineers and they told us that the 9th generation processors will have higher performance on a Z390 motherboard than with the Z370. We understand that this is a limitation that the manufacturer of the chipset sets that the manufacturer itself. Let's hope we have time, to be able to compare a 9900k with two motherboards with chipset Z370 and Z390 to draw our own conclusions.

In short, the Intel Core i9 9900k comes to the market to offer great performance with its 8 cores and base speed. In Spain we have already seen it for 600 euros, hopefully this is not the starting price of the processor. Because it would not make much sense, seeing the difference in performance between the 8700k and this first i9 for the LGA 1151 platform is not justifiable. Even so, if you want a high-performance processor and want one of the best IPCs, I recommend its purchase. But prepare the wallet?

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
- MONO CORE PERFORMANCE	- VERY HIGH PRICE
- MULTI-THREAD PERFORMANCE	- WE DON'T REACH 5 GHZ IN ALL ITS CORES DOING OVERCLOCK
- OVERCLOCK CAPACITY
- DIE AND IHS COME SOLDIERS
- TEMPERATURES

The Professional Review team awards him the platinum medal:

Intel Core i9-9900K

YIELD YIELD - 99%

MULTI-THREAD PERFORMANCE - 95%

OVERCLOCK - 90%

PRICE - 80%

91%