Core i9-9900K

Name: Intel Core i9-9900K
Brand: Intel
Rating: 4 (410 reviews)

8 cores · 16 threads · up to 5.0 GHz on LGA-1151.

4 · 410 votes

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Cores

Threads

Boost

5.0 GHz

L3 cache

16 MB

TDP

95W

Socket

LGA-1151

Performance breakdown

Gaming11

Productivity10

Single-core11

Multi-core33

Power efficiency9

Lab scores

Performance score11

Cores8

Threads16

Boost clock (GHz)5.0 GHz

Estimated gaming FPS

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

1080p24 fps

1440p19 fps

4K13 fps

Full specifications

Processor & cores

Architecture: Coffee Lake-R
Process node: 14 nm
Socket: LGA-1151
Release year: 2018
Total cores: 8
Threads: 16
Integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630

Clocks & cache

Base clock: 3.6 GHz
Boost clock: 5.0 GHz
L1 cache: 512 KB
L2 cache: 2 MB
L3 cache: 16 MB

Memory & platform

Memory support: DDR4
Max capacity: 128 GB
Channels: 2
Max bandwidth: 44.668 GB/s
Base power (TDP): 95W
Max temperature: 100°C
PCIe: PCIe 3.0
Launch price: $488

Technologies

Instruction sets: SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
Extensions: AES-NI, AVX, AMD-V, VT-x, VT-d, TXT, TSX

Community Feedback

What Owners Say

Owners love the raw gaming speed and how it handles heavy multitasking. The common complaint is it runs extremely hot, needing a serious cooler to keep temps in check.

Pros

Still runs many tasks at once
Friendly for everyday overclocking
Holds up well in older games
Works with cheap Z390 boards

Cons

Needs a better cooler included
Runs hot under heavy load
Aging platform with no upgrade path

Verdict

Our verdict on the Core i9-9900K

The Intel Core i9-9900K is a fast 8-core desktop CPU that forced mainstream buyers to accept soldered thermal paste under the heatspreader.

Get it if you need top-tier single-threaded speed for high-fps gaming on an older platform and don't mind high power draw. Skip it if you build new today, as newer CPUs offer similar gaming speed with better efficiency and more cores.