Core i9-11900K

Name: Intel Core i9-11900K
Brand: Intel
Rating: 3.8 (146 reviews)

8 cores · 16 threads · up to 5.2 GHz on FCLGA1200.

3.8 · 146 votes

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Cores

Threads

Boost

5.2 GHz

L3 cache

16 MB

TDP

125W

Socket

FCLGA1200

Performance breakdown

Gaming15

Productivity14

Single-core15

Multi-core33

Power efficiency13

Lab scores

Performance score15

Cores8

Threads16

Boost clock (GHz)5.2 GHz

Estimated gaming FPS

Paired with a high-end GPU. CPU impact is largest at 1080p.

1080p33 fps

1440p26 fps

4K18 fps

Full specifications

Processor & cores

Architecture: Rocket Lake
Process node: 14 nm
Socket: FCLGA1200
Release year: 2021
Total cores: 8
Threads: 16
Integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 750

Clocks & cache

Base clock: 3.5 GHz
Boost clock: 5.2 GHz
L1 cache: 640 KB
L2 cache: 4 MB
L3 cache: 16 MB

Memory & platform

Memory support: DDR4
Max capacity: 128 GB
Channels: 2
Max bandwidth: 50 GB/s
Base power (TDP): 125W
Max temperature: 100°C
PCIe: PCIe 4.0
Launch price: $539

Technologies

Instruction sets: SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX-512
Extensions: AES-NI, AVX, VT-x, VT-d, Turbo Boost Max 3.0, TXT, TSX

Community Feedback

What Owners Say

Owners like the strong single-core speed for gaming, but they're annoyed it runs hot and uses more power than expected.

Pros

Plays modern games without breaking a sweat
Handles heavy multitasking like a champ
Overclocks easily for extra free speed
Stays cool enough with good air cooling

Cons

Old architecture for its price
Runs very hot under load
No support for DDR5 RAM

Verdict

Our verdict on the Core i9-11900K

Intel's Rocket Lake flagship is an eight-core chip with a single-core speed advantage that gets dragged down by high power draw and a crowded platform.

Get it if you need top single-core speed for older games and already own an LGA1200 board. Skip it if you want modern multi-core value, as newer or cheaper chips outpace it.