The first performance results of the Intel Core i9-9900K in one of the most popular benchmarks for CPU performance have leaked out. I am talking about Cinebench R15 and the Intel 9th Generation flagship just crushes it with its top of the line multi-core performance with 8 cores and 16 threads.
Intel Core i9-9900K Flagship 8 Core CPU Tested in Cinebench R15, Scores Over 2000 in Multi-Core Test at 5 GHz Without Even Breaking a Sweat
Just a few days ago we got to see the 3DMark Timespy score of the Intel Core i9-9900K and a day before that, we saw many Geekbench 4 benchmarks of the entire unlocked 9th Gen processor lineup. The CPUs are still some time away from their official launch and many reviewers and overclockers already have their hands on the processors and Z390 motherboards. Some of the earlier benchmarks we got to see were posted by motherboard manufacturers themselves who forgot to pull the plug from the internet where the results got listed (accidentally).
Before we talk about the performance results, we should take a look at the Core i9-9900K CPU and its specifications.
Intel Core i9-9900K, Intel’s First 8 Core Mainstream CPU With 4.7 GHz All 8 Core Boost Frequency, Faster Than Intel’s 8086K Anniversary Edition In All Possible Ways
The Intel Core i9-9900K is the flagship SKU of the 9th Generation Core family. This will be the first mainstream desktop Core i9 part and also the first Intel chip to boast 8 cores and 16 threads. In terms of cache, the chip will feature 16 MB of L3 and will come with an Intel UHD 620 graphics chip.
The clock speeds are something to check out here, we are going to get a 3.6 GHz base clock out of the box and a 5.0 GHz boost clock in single and dual core operations. 4 core boost is rated at 4.8 GHz while 6/8 core boost is rated at 4.7 GHz. This is the highest frequency we have seen on an 8 core part across all cores. All of this is done under a 95W package so we can expect some hefty cooling solutions to go along with this chip.
Intel 9th Generation Core Family CPU Official Specifications:
| Processor Name | Process | Cores / Threads | Base Clock | Boost Clock | Cache | TDP | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i9-9900KS | 14nm++ | 8 / 16 | 3.6 GHz | 5.0 GHz (8 Cores) | 16 MB | 127W | $513 US |
| Core i9-9900K | 14nm++ | 8 / 16 | 3.6 GHz | 5.0 GHz | 16 MB | 95W | $488 US |
| Core i9-9900KF | 14nm++ | 8 / 16 | 3.6 GHz | 5.0 GHz | 16 MB | 95W | $488 US |
| Core i7-9700K | 14nm++ | 8 / 8 | 3.6 GHz | 4.9 GHz | 12 MB | 95W | $374 US |
| Core i7-9700KF | 14nm++ | 8 / 8 | 3.6 GHz | 4.9 GHz | 12 MB | 95W | $374 US |
| Core i5-9600K | 14nm++ | 6 / 6 | 3.7 GHz | 4.6 GHz | 9 MB | 95W | $262 US |
| Core i5-9600KF | 14nm++ | 6 / 6 | 3.7 GHz | 4.6 GHz | 9 MB | 95W | $262 US |
| Core i5-9600 | 14nm++ | 6 / 6 | 3.1 GHz | 4.5 GHz | 9 MB | 65W | TBD |
| Core i5-9500 | 14nm++ | 6 / 6 | 3.0 GHz | 4.3 GHz | 9 MB | 65W | TBD |
| Core i5-9400 | 14nm++ | 6 / 6 | 2.9 GHz | 4.1 GHz | 9 MB | 65W | $182 |
| Core i5-9400T | 14nm++ | 6 / 6 | 1.8 GHz | 3.4 GHz | 9 MB | 35W | TBD |
| Core i3-9350KF | 14nm++ | 4/4 | 4.0 GHz | 4.6 GHz | 8 MB | 91W | TBD |
| Core i3-9100 | 14nm++ | 4 / 4 | TBD | 4.2 GHz | 6 MB | 65W | TBD |
| Core i3-9000 | 14nm++ | 4 / 4 | 3.7 GHz | N/A | 6 MB | 65W | TBD |
| Core i3-9000T | 14nm++ | 4 / 4 | 3.2 GHz | N/A | 6 MB | 35W | TBD |
The performance results were posted by overclocker Lau Kin Lam. He posted a video of the Intel Core i9-9900K not only running at 5 GHz frequencies, but proceeds to test it in Cinebench R15. The chip can be seen running at stock clocks and as soon as the benchmark runs, all cores can be seen running at 5 GHz and after the benchmark is complete, the chip scores 2166 Cinebench points which is incredible.
If we compare it with the AMD Ryzen 2700X 8 core, 16 thread processor, we know that it would score around 1700 points in stock and around 1900 points when overclocked to 4.3 GHz across all 8 cores which is around the maximum overclocking potential of the competing chip.
The 9th generation will be compatible with existing 300 series and the new Z390 motherboards. Following are some key features of the upcoming lineup:
- First performance Intel Core i9 desktop s-series processor
- Up to 8 cores
- Intel Z390 chipset compatible
- Solder Thermal Interface Material (STIM)
- Integrated USB 3.1 gen 2 and Integrated Intel Wireless-AC
- Up to 16 threads, 5.0 GHz, 16 MB cache, and 40 platform PCIe lanes (16 CPU + 24 PCH)
- Compatible with all Intel 300 series chipsets
- Intel Optane memory and Intel Optane SSD support
- Thunderbolt 3 support
The specifications have been listed, but there's currently no word on the prices which are said to be expected around October, around the same time as the official announcement. Expect more on details regarding the prices and performance of these new 6 and 8 core mainstream parts from Intel in the coming months.
