Intel 9th Gen Core 9000 Series Coffee Lake Specs Confirmed, 8 Cores With 5GHz Boost

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We've seen leaked specs for Intel's 9thgeneration Core processors, which are known internally as the Coffee Lake Refresh. However, today we’re getting a look at what appears to be the first official documentation from Intel confirming the three-processor lineup for mainstream machines.

As seen in the slides below, there will be three SKUs available at launch:

  • Core i9-9900K: 8 cores / 16 threads, 3.6GHz to 5GHz, 16MB L3 cache, 95W TDP
  • Core i7-9700K: 8 cores / 8 threads, 3,6GHz to 4.9GHz, 12MB L3 cache, 95W TDP
  • Core i5-9600K: 6 cores / 6 threads, 3.7GHz to 4.6GHz, 9MB L3 cache, 95W TDP

The leaked Intel slides confirm the fact that both the Core i5-9600K and Core i7-9700K forgo HyperThreading technology in favor of straight 6- and 8-core designs respectively. HyperThreading is reserved for the Core i9-9900K, which backs 8 cores with 16 total threads.

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All of the processors support up to 40 PCIe lanes along with dual-channel DDR4-2666 memory. As we previously reported, Intel has decided to ditch the thermal compound that has traditionally been placed between the processor die and the integrated heat spreader (IHS) and instead is soldering the two parts together. Going the soldering route means that enthusiasts won't have to go through the treacherous process of delidding their expensive processors when aiming for insane overclocks.

The slides also confirm previously leaked details, including the fact that Intel will be launching the new Z390 chipset alongside the processors that will support USB 3.1 Gen 2 and integrated Wireless-AC Wi-Fi – this means that we can expect a whole new wave of motherboards from the usual suspects.

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It must be stressed, however, that you will not have to go out and purchase a brand-new Intel Z390 motherboard to support these new Coffee Lake Refresh processors. Instead, a number of motherboard manufacturers have already released (or are in the process of releasing) BIOS updates that add support to existing 300 series motherboards.

Intel’s' first round of 9th generation Core processors will reportedly launch in October.