A lot of people are not aware that Intel i9 processors . And for good reason, these CPUs are so powerful that we rarely find them in stores, and even less on laptops or desktop computers . These are the best processors on the market. Their high frequency and number of cores allow them to perform many tasks simultaneously, practical for gaming , photo, video or graphics . This is why this generation of Intel processor is gaining ground.
So that you can choose your i9 processor with complete conscience, we invite you to read our buying guide and FAQ on the best Intel i9 processors.
Know before purchasing!
- There are several types of Intel i9 processor, differing from each other by their frequency, number of cores, TPT consumption or even number of threads (TDP). This last component is not necessary on other processors (i3, i5, i7) but is here.
- The i9s are high-end processors . The investment is therefore substantial. You absolutely need to know if it is necessary to have one. In which case, we will direct you towards the entry-level and mid-range from Intel, namely the i3, i5 and i7 processors.
- The i9 processors are currently in the 11th generation . In addition to their high frequency, they are equipped with turbo mode (turbo boost) , increasing the power of the core i9. However, these super-powerful processors require an extremely powerful fan or water cooling system to avoid overheating. And it's even worse if you want overclocking.
Comparison of the best Intel Core i9 processors
11th performance is assured
Features and Reviews
This Intel processor model is part of the 11th generation, which is specially dedicated to intense and prolonged use. Whether it's gaming, photo editing or heavy multitasking, this processor will meet your needs in terms of performance. For a price of €320.90, this processor has 8 cores and 16 threads accompanied by 16 MB of cache memory.
With its base clock frequency at 3.5 GHz, it can go up to 5.3 GHz in turbo mode, thus proving its versatility depending on your uses. With excellent gaming performance, the DDR4 3200 MHz RAM memory ensures the smoothness of even the heaviest tasks.
It supports the latest games. Based on a 1200 socket, this 11th generation is part of the Rocket Lake-S family. Turbo Boost 3.0 and Intel Thermal Velocity Boost technologies will push this processor to the peak of its power to satisfy you. With an unlocked coefficient, overlocking is possible, but especially if you combine this Intel Core i9-11900K processor with a dedicated graphics card, the performance will be even higher.
Offering PCI-Express 4.0 support, plug in your accessories to have your configurations. It is also equipped with Intel Wi-Fi 6/6E and Thunderbolt 4 technology to increase the number of connections. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 750 graphics chip will allow you to enjoy a unique experience.
2. Intel Core i9-10980XE: enjoy the unrivaled performance of this Extreme Edition processor
Features and Reviews
This 10980XE processor is part of the 10th generation of Intel Core i9. With its incredible performance, it is arguably the most expensive available on the market with a price of €2062.05 and is part of the Cascade Lake X generation. If you are looking for a high-end processor, this is it. you need! Made with 14 nm engraving, to be more efficient an improvement has been made regarding heat dissipation.
Producing impressive power, it packs 18 cores and 36 threads with an optimal power consumption of 165 W. The base clock frequency is 3.0 GHz and can be pushed to 4.8 GHz thanks to Turbo Boost 3.0 technology. . With such power, you can play recent and demanding games very smoothly. The processor can also support multiple heavy applications simultaneously without causing a performance hit on your running games.
Cascade Lake This Intel Core i9-10980XE processor is equipped with a DDR4-2933 RAM memory controller to accelerate its power even further. On the graphics side, whether videos or images, the resolution is 4K.
If you combine it with a graphics card, ecstasy will be there. Offering several connections of the latest standards, it supports PCI-Express 3.0, SATA-3, M.2, USB 3.1, Displayport and HDMI.
3. Intel Core i9-9900K: a very popular processor
Features and Reviews
Like any other 9th generation Intel processor, this Core i9 version is also based on a Coffe Lake Refresh architecture. Still on socket 1151, this processor is only compatible with dedicated 300 series chipsets. It is sold at €320.09, and seems to appeal to the majority of users with its incredible and versatile performance.
Made with 14nm engraving, thermal performance and energy efficiency are improved for a TDP of 95 W. Featuring 8 cores and 16 threads, take advantage of the advantages of this Intel Core i9-9900K processor. Gamer or simple user, demanding or not, this CPU will meet your expectations. With a 16 MB level 3 cache memory and offering you fluidity during your use, the RAM memory is DDR4-2666 type.
The base clock frequency is 3.6 GHz, this can reach 5 GHz thanks to Turbo Boost 2.0 technology, without overlocking. Offering exceptional performance in recent and demanding games, ultra-immersive virtual reality or continuous multitasking, this processor is suitable for all uses.
To achieve maximum performance, this processor model features an unlocked multiplier that triggers overlocking based on the power demand of your current applications. It is equipped with an Intel HD 630 graphics chipset for a better visual experience. Regarding the ports, this Core i9 processor supports PCI-Express 3.0, SATA-3, M.2, USB 3.1 Displaypart and HDMI.
4. Intel Core i9-9900: a processor with an integrated graphics chipset
Features and Reviews
This Intel Core i9-9900 processor is part of the 9th generation of the brand. Based on an LGA 1151 socket, the model stands out from others of the same generation. Supporting prolonged multitasking and gaming, it will satisfy its user with its incredible performance. It is based on the Coffee Lake Refresh architecture and is compatible with 300 series chipsets. For a price of €350.23, this model is made with 14 nm engraving for a power consumption of 65 W.
Its 8 cores and 16 threads, followed by a base clock frequency of 3.1 GHz, are powerful enough for continuous use on heavy and demanding applications. For better fluidity of your use, this processor will support DDR4-SDRAM RAM memory up to 128 GB. Edit images, launch videos, or play recent games without crashes or performance decreases.
The base frequency can be pushed up to 5 GHz thanks to Turbo Boost 3.0 technology. Equipped with an Intel Graphics UHD 630 graphics chipset, enjoy a better graphics and visual experience. Supporting the latest connector technologies, it offers PCI-Express 3.0, SATA-3, M.2, USB 3.1n Displayport and HDMI support.
5. Intel Core i9-10900X: 10-core performance
Features and Reviews
The Intel Core i9-10900X is part of the Intel Cascade Lake X generation based on socket 2066 and is based on 14 nm engraving. This generation is designed to offer power and performance to satisfy users, whatever the use: gaming, office automation, image modification, etc.
For reduced energy consumption, this processor has an improved heat dissipation system to avoid possible bugs or overheating. Treat yourself to this Intel processor with its advantages for a price of €597.70. The Intel COre i9-10900X has a deca-core, or 10 cores clocked at 3.7 GHz. Turbo Boost 3.0 technology pushes this frequency to 4.5 GHz.
And for greater performance in prolonged use, it has an unlocked multiplier coefficient to activate overlocking. It is a very powerful, versatile CPU offering unrivaled performance regardless of your use or whether it is multitasking in heavy applications.
In addition, this processor provides you with high quality 4K image resolution. The fluidity of your use is ensured by a DDR4 type RAM memory and accelerates performance. To have your optimal configurations, this i9-10900X CPU accepts PCI-Express 3.0, SATA-3, M.2, USB 3.1.
Why is it important to choose the right i9 processor?
Having an Intel Core i9 processor is an investment. And like any investment, it is important that it is profitable and useful. Understand that there is no point in having a powerful CPU if you only do word processing. For gaming in 4K 144Hz, however, you will have to invest in an i7 processor or an i9 processor capable of supporting UHD 60fps.
In addition, choosing your i9 processor carefully means being certain that it balances its frequency with that of the graphics card, that the cooling system is sufficient to counter overheating, or that the battery supports its TPT consumption.
However, it is an investment that never comes alone, because choosing the best Intel i9 processor on the market also means choosing the components described above.
What are the advantages of the Intel i9 processor compared to other Intel ranges?
What will distinguish the best Intel i9 processor from the others is obviously the power. Now, this is not the only fact that should be taken into account when purchasing an i9 processor. Yes, especially when it is a powerful CPU, you will have to count on the cache memory or the number of PCIe lines (TDP). Anyway, for beginners, here is a description of the different processor ranges from Intel:
- Intel i3 processor : Representing the entry-level and mid-range of Intel , the Intel i3 processors are dual-core, that is to say equipped with 2 physical cores which are complemented by 2 virtual cores thanks to Hyper Threading technology .
- Intel i5 processor : Intel i5 processors are powerful with their 4 physical cores (Quad-Core) giving them great versatility in gaming or video. In addition, they are equipped with Turbo Boost , for a higher frequency.
- Intel i7 processor : The Intel i7 processor is the fusion between the i5 and the i3. Indeed, it benefits from hyper threading and Turbo Boost in addition to 4 physical cores. Enough to guarantee high performance on your laptop or desktop PC.
- Intel i9 processor: The Intel i9 processor is a powerful processor that can become even more so with Turbo Boost , up to 5.2 Ghz, which is colossal. These PC processors feature 8 cores for unrivaled data processing.
Decipher the name of Intel i9 processors
Buying an Intel i9 processor without knowing where you are going is taking a lot of unnecessary risk. Each processor has a code which is carefully thought out and which says a lot about the technical characteristics of the i9 CPU. We offer you a little tutorial.
An Intel processor label looks like this i9-11900K
- I9 is the processor model
- 11 is the generation of the processor
- 900 is the processor power
- K is a suffix indicating a processor with overclocking
Who are i9 processors for?
As you can imagine, the Intel i9 processors are the most powerful on the market (for Intel ). Indeed, their frequency (Ghz) as well as their number of cores exceed all other models from Intel, as we saw above.
These powerful processors are intended for those wanting competition PCs , sometimes beyond the gaming PC. Thanks to an Intel Core i9 guaranteeing high performance, you will be able to:
- Produce video editing
- Of the picture
- Gaming
- Office automation
- And all other resource-intensive applications
And all this without any hassle with a laptop, desktop or Ultrabook. However, we must clearly define the use we are going to make of it, because the price of these high-tech jewels is painful. Especially since for gamers, programmers and graphic designers, a graphics card (GPU) is mandatory in addition to a ventilation system and a compliant battery. We cover these elements so that you don't have any unpleasant surprises when purchasing your CPU.
In short, we redirect you to our buying guide on the best Intel i9 processors.
Intel i9 Processor Buying Guide
We won't lie to you if we tell you that it's rare for individuals to need a Core i9. However, if you're still determined to get one and want to learn how to sniff out good deals on Intel CPUs, our buying guide is just below!
Thanks to it, you will be able to determine the model that suits you best among all those offered at Intel Inside.
Determining CPU Power
i9 processor or graphics card , determining the power of these components comes down to 2 main criteria which are:
- Frequency (in Ghz)
- The number of cores
However, before describing in detail why these computer characteristics are essential, we would like to tell you that they are not the only ones to be taken into account when purchasing the best Intel i9 processor, as we have mentioned. we will see later.
Frequency as a determinant of power
Who says Intel Core i9 says powerful processor and therefore says high frequency. This data represents the calculation speed of your CPU. Thus, the more your PC has a processor with high frequency, the faster and better it will process information. This is the number one power indicator for an Intel processor as well as a graphics card.
The turbo mode (Turbo Boost) of the i9 allows you to temporarily increase the frequency , but this is at your own risk, as this will only overheat your CPU . Knowing that given the price of this chip, it is better to remain cautious.
In general, a latest generation i9 goes from 2 Ghz to 3.3 Ghz, knowing that with the turbo boost, you go up to 5.5 Ghz.
The number of cores: the added value of i9 processors
The number of cores is just as important as the frequency when it comes to whether we have a powerful processor in front of us.
Cores are the data processing centers of your CPU . So, the more cores you have, the more data you process and the more different data you process . And it is this last aspect that makes the best Intel i9 processors efficient with their 8 physical cores . Whatever the case, be aware that a Quad-Core i7 at 2.5 is better than an 8-core i9 at 1.5 Ghz .
TPT consumption
All components of your computer use energy . When you have a desktop computer plugged into the mains, you don't have to worry about the battery, just your wallet. However, this is not the case when you have an Ultrabook or laptop. Why are we telling you all this? Because TPT consumption is the energy consumption of your processor . The more powerful a CPU is, the more energy it will consume. The i9 is therefore energy consuming.
In the same way as the TDP which we detail just below, the consumption is such that it is indicated when purchasing an i9 processor. Moreover, TPT and TDP are linked . The more your CPU consumes, the hotter it gets and the longer your battery will have to last (if you are not connected to the mains).
The cache memory of the i9 processor
Another factor to take into account when purchasing an i9 processor is cache memory (or flash memory). As its name suggests, this memory is not intended to perpetuate your data like a hard drive, which would keep your files ad vitam.
Here, the processor's cache memory allows it to store the most frequent data. Which means he no longer needs to process them with every action. Therefore, we imagine that it is essential for the execution speed of the i9 and our computer (which is equipped in addition to RAM)
For an Intel i9 processor, the cache memory ranges from 16 MB to 24 MB (Megabyte). To give you an idea, an entry-level Intel i3 is 4 MB.
The TDP
TDP (Thermal Design Power) is essential data when you build your PC and need to invest in a cooling system or use Turbo Boost a little too often. Quite simply because the TDP is the thermal value of the i9 processor.
The number of PCIe lines
In general, when you invest in an Intel i9 processor, it is to take advantage of its eight cores and its ability to process a lot of different information in record time. This is why the number of PCIe lines is an important indicator for i9s because it is a direct vector of the number of peripherals supported by the i9.
System bus speed
We tell you about it, but you don't have to worry about that , unless you build your PCs yourself. Indeed, buying a laptop, desktop, or Ultrabook directly in store means that our system bus speed will already be optimized for our CPU and our machine.
But what is system bus speed? This is simply how your computer's RAM Yes, even though your i9 processor is overpowering, it needs other computer components to cope, it is only the data processing center. The thing is, it needs to receive data. This is what system bus speed is.
Presented in GT/s (GigaTransfert) , it is generally 5GT/s on all machines. It is very rare that it rises above. Indeed, this system bus speed is perfect for gaming, office automation or even photography. So, regardless of the use of your machine , your CPU has a good chance of already being an optimized processor at this level.
Intel i9 Processor FAQ
After having seen the determinants of the power of a processor which are the power and the number of cores, to focus on the secondary computer characteristics, we conclude this buying guide. However, some questions remain regarding the best Intel i9 processors on the market, representing a good investment for your PC.
How much does an Intel i9 processor cost?
Obviously, you have the idea that a powerful latest generation processor is not cheap. And for good reason, we advise you to go for quality. As a result, you will have peace of mind and you will no longer have to return to it or have to change it for your gaming or professional activities.
The i9 processors are capable of everything, including displaying 4K UHD. This means that you are generally investing in a whole, not just a processor. You then need the monitor, the graphics card and the setup that goes with it to fully enjoy the experience. In any case, an Intel i9 processor costs at least €450, for an average of around €500. That is to say the price of an entry-level PC.
Can I reduce costs by building my PC with second-hand components?
This will depend on many factors. For example, in 2021 there is price inflation for entry-level computers while gaming PCs are quite stable .
Therefore, we would tell you that you will save money by setting up your entry-level PC like your gaming PC. However , if you don't have the necessary computer skills, you risk disaster , especially with an Intel i9 processor.
Indeed, you will have to take into account the fan or water cooling system, then you focus on the battery or the GPU. In short, if you are comfortable with PCs, go for it. In this case, preserve your i9 processor and buy it already assembled .
How to know the components of your computer?
If you have a computer in front of you and you don't know what processor it has, now you will be able to find out in a matter of seconds. Obviously, your computer will not have an Intel i9 processor if it does not run any video games, however, this will give you essential information about the CPU.
To do this, simply go to the “Control Panel” and then “System.” »
Here you have your processor with its brand as well as its frequency and number of cores . For more precise information, we invite you to go to a website which will analyze your components in detail. You will find them very easily by doing a simple search on your browser.
Where does my Intel i9 processor fit?
This is where we start to get into the technical and delicate details. Indeed, if you buy your computer ready-made, you will not have to worry about assembling the CPU . But this is not the case for everyone. Therefore, you will need to know the socket of your processor. This is quite simply the plate onto which our i9 will clip . The problem is that if it is not the right size, you will have to change everything (because we do not recommend that you introduce an Intel i9 processor by force).
How to do ? Disassemble your computer and note the numbers on the socket on the motherboard. Be aware that Intel's most common sockets are LGA1155, LGA1150, or LGA1151.
sockets always start with these 3 letters . Typically, your motherboard comes directly with the socket. On the other hand, if it does not match, you can unscrew to replace it. From there you will get the best out of the Intel i9 processor.
