Intel Core i9-9900KS 5GHz (8C16T) CPU Review

1. Core i9-9900K On Steroids: The 5GHz Core i9-9900KS2. Overclocking Core i9-9900KS3. Testing Methodology4. CPU Tests: Cinebench R15 & R20, Blender5. CPU & Memory Tests: 7-Zip, Handbrake x264 & x2656. Memory Tests: Memory Bandwidth and Latency7. Gaming 1: 3DMark, Ashes, Deus Ex, Far Cry 5, GTA V8. Gaming 2: GRW, Hitman 2, SotTR, The Division 29. 1440p Gaming: Deus Ex, Far Cry 5, & The Division 210. Technical: Power Draw, Efficiency, Temperatures11. Closing Thoughts12. View All Pages

In a clear effort to stamp its clock frequency and gaming performance authority over AMD, Intel has released a ‘Special Edition' version of the Core i9-9900K. Clocked at 5GHz out of the box on all eight cores, only the best of the Core i9-9900K silicon can become the Core i9-9900KS.

As will be a surprise to nobody, the TDP is increased to deal with the 5GHz clock speed. Perhaps more surprisingly, however, is that Intel is charging a reasonable $14-25 price premium for the i9-9900KS versus the i9-9900K. That seems to be a pretty reasonable mark-up for a 300MHz clock speed boost and the allure of a ‘limited edition' piece of hardware.

CPU	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X	AMD Ryzen 7 3800X	AMD Ryzen 7 3700X	Intel Core i9-9900KS	Intel Core i9-9900K	Intel Core i7-9700K
CPU Architecture	Zen 2	Zen 2	Zen 2	Coffee Lake Refresh	Coffee Lake Refresh	Coffee Lake Refresh
CPU Socket	AM4	AM4	AM4	LGA 1151 rev. 2	LGA 1151 rev. 2	LGA 1151 rev. 2
Core / Threads	12 / 24	8 / 16	8 / 16	8 / 16	8 / 16	8 / 8
Base Frequency	3.8GHz	3.9GHz	3.6GHz	4.0GHz	3.6GHz	3.6GHz
All-Core Frequency	Up to 4.6GHz	Up to 4.5GHz	Up to 4.4GHz	5.0GHz	4.7GHz	4.6GHz
Boost Frequency	Up to 4.6GHz	Up to 4.5GHz	Up to 4.4GHz	5.0GHz	5.0GHz	4.9GHz
Unlocked Core Multiplier	Yes (x0.25 granularity)	Yes (x0.25 granularity)	Yes (x0.25 granularity)	Yes (x1 granularity)	Yes (x1 granularity)	Yes (x1 granularity)
L3 Cache	64MB	32MB	32MB	16MB	16MB	12MB
Max. Memory Channels	2 (DDR4)	2 (DDR4)	2 (DDR4)	2 (DDR4)	2 (DDR4)	2 (DDR4)
Max. Memory Frequency (Native)	2667 to 3200MHz	2667 to 3200MHz	2667 to 3200MHz	2666MHz	2666MHz	2666MHz
CPU PCIe Lanes	16+4+4 PCIe Gen 4	16+4+4 PCIe Gen 4	16+4+4 PCIe Gen 4	16 PCIe Gen 3	16 PCIe Gen 3	16 PCIe Gen 3
Manufacturing Process	7nm	7nm	7nm	14nm++	14nm++	14nm++
TDP	105W	105W	65W	127W	95W	95W
iGPU	No	No	No	Intel UHD 630	Intel UHD 630	Intel UHD 630
CPU Cooler Included	Wraith PRISM	Wraith PRISM	Wraith PRISM	No	No	No
MSRP	$499	$399	$329	$513	$488-499	$374-385
UK Street Price (Oct 2019)	£550	£375	£300	Around £599	£470	£350

The key differences between the Core i9-9900K and the ‘special edition' Core i9-9900KS are pretty easy to summarise. The i9-9900KS gets a TDP increase from 95W to 127W, the all-core Turbo clock is increased from 4.7GHz to 5.0GHz, and the base frequency is bumped up from 3.6GHz to 4.0GHz. This is, more-or-less, an overclocked Core i9-9900K that is made possible by using the silicon that cooked best on Intel's 14nm++ wafers.

The bump to 127W TDP is important to the defined Turbo power states for clock speed levels. However, most motherboards simply ignore the defined power states and set the sustained power duration towards infinite. This allows for maximum CPU clock speed under sustained all-core operation.

Two key differences not highlighted in the above table are noteworthy downsides for the ‘special edition' part. Firstly, VPro support is missing on the 9900KS, though that's unlikely to cause much concern given the target audience. More importantly, however, is the reduction in warranty from 3 years to 1-year. It is highly disappointing to see a ‘special edition' part selling with a rather non-special 1-year warranty.

Intel claims that the warranty decision is due to the limited volume of the part. That's disappointing when the cheaper Core i9-9900K is warranted for 3 years of usage. One would hope that the limited volume of the part is indeed the reason for the 1-year warranty, and not longevity concerns born out of pushing the frequency to the dizzying heights of 5GHz.

Jumping over to the Silicon Lottery website highlights that a Core i9-9900K that is capable of 4.9GHz under AVX loading is rare, even if the tested voltage is a reasonable 1.312V. The Core i9-9900KS does 5GHz under AVX loading out of the box. There's nothing stopping anybody overclocking their Core i9-9900K to i9-9900KS-level performance. There's just no guarantee that it'll hold that performance level with stability.

If you want the ultimate plug-and-play solution for Z390, the Core i9-9900KS is it. And if you're more into overclocking and tinkering with your system, perhaps the 9900KS CPU's promise of higher quality silicon will be an appealing proposition.

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