Intel Core i9 7900X processor review - Product Showcase

 
 
So above you can see the Core i9 7900X, this processor is provided by a partner close to Guru3D.com, for this entire launch Intel did not communicate with us (and most media here in the EU). The reason? Here in the Netherlands / Belgium, they simply ended their press and media relations team with no communication and support left open. This actually is happening for nearly all media in the EU.

But lets focus on the hardware, yeah meet LGA2066, that is quite a bit of pin contact point right there. The X299 motherboards paired with Kaby- or Skylake-X processors share the very same socket. 

 
Intel uses its traditional socket mounting system that you know from the X99 platform. An advantage here is that you can re-use your old cooler as the socket mounting itself has remained the same. 
 

 
Right, we need to grease her up a bit with thermal paste, as she does run hot when used. We'll use an LCS kit for cooling (Corsair) as you do need proper cooling with anything over 8-cores and a 140Watt TDP. 
 

 
It's a big of a big socket alright, LGA 2066. For this review we'll use an MSI motherboard as the Gigabyte one you are looking at was an early sample that was not ready BIOS wise.
 

This processor review was performed on the MSI X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC. We'll review this motherboard more in-depth in a separate article.