Intel Core i9 9900KS processor review

kanenas

2019-11-15 15:35

fry178:

@kanenas Anyone that spends more than 400$ on a cpu, and even more on a proper eco system to support such cpu (mb/psu/gpu), should have spend a tiny amount on proper cooling anyway. If not, why buy this in the first place? And that is the reason that is not going to sell,a cpu without cooler, rebranded, overpriced released just to steal some light from 3950x another ridiculous cpu for 750€ That also need liquid cooling both company's milking. Same reason the ppl that can actually afford a +200k car, will never complain about cost of owning it (insurance/maintenance/fuel/tires etc).

#5731715

Loophole35

2019-11-15 15:49

Hilbert Hagedoorn:

That discussion doesn't belong in this thread, but I have been wondering about it as well. Both CPUs are physically the same (both two 8-core dies) with the same TDP even. It happens under multi-threaded stress, the 3900X has a 3800 MHz all core base-clock, the 3950X @ 3500 MHz. That could account for the 7-watt difference. Then again it can also be an instrument error.

I've been reading that the 3950x uses under 1V vCORE at full load (and of course the frequency is lower than the 3900x). It looks like the 3950x is the higher binned chips. Others have pointed out if you OC both CPU's to 4.3 all core that the 3950x does consume more power. OT while this SPU is impressive It's just not worth the money. I'm still glad I was able to grab a 9900kf for $420 (I still feel that a tad high though).

#5731719

schmidtbag

2019-11-15 15:53

Silva:

In August I bought a B450 motherboard and a Ryzen 2600 for cheap, knowing I'll upgrade in two years for Ryzen 4000 or at least the best I can afford of Ryzen 3000. With Intel, you have no upgrade options. For me that's inexcusable.

Although I don't disagree with your point, I find it very unlikely we're going to see a next-gen Ryzen architecture on AM4. AMD will be releasing AM4 products into 2020 but they haven't released any of the Zen2 APUs yet and the year is almost over. So, I predict the those APUs will be the last we see for AM4. Maybe some of the "Pro" models too.

D3M1G0D:

This would be my CPU of choice if I was still on the blue team. My last Intel CPU was a 4790K so this CPU would provide a nice jump in performance. In a universe without Ryzen, I would be rushing out to buy this (of course in a universe without Ryzen this CPU would likely not exist so I won't be getting it either way).

Out of curiosity, why? Sure, it's binned better than the 9900K, but it doesn't seem to overclock much better. So as an overclocker, you're basically paying a higher price for little to no practical advantage.

#5731730

TieSKey

2019-11-15 16:17

@HilbertHagedoorn Hey, just to say I like your relative perf charts, if u could also bring back your perf/$$ one I think it would be perfect 🙂 Edit: lol, "hh" is actually an user, is that an alter ego or a legitimate user?

#5731738

Loophole35

2019-11-15 16:37

schmidtbag:

Although I don't disagree with your point, I find it very unlikely we're going to see a next-gen Ryzen architecture on AM4. AMD will be releasing AM4 products into 2020 but they haven't released any of the Zen2 APUs yet and the year is almost over. So, I predict the those APUs will be the last we see for AM4. Maybe some of the "Pro" models too. Out of curiosity, why? Sure, it's binned better than the 9900K, but it doesn't seem to overclock much better. So as an overclocker, you're basically paying a higher price for little to no practical advantage.

4000 is confirmed for AM4.

#5731743

D3M1G0D

2019-11-15 16:45

schmidtbag:

Out of curiosity, why? Sure, it's binned better than the 9900K, but it doesn't seem to overclock much better. So as an overclocker, you're basically paying a higher price for little to no practical advantage.

I don't really overclock nowadays, as I prefer stability. I'd like the insurance of a guaranteed clock speed of 5 GHz.

#5731747

Dazz

2019-11-15 16:49

Yeah Ryzen 4000 will work on AM4, however Ryzen 5000 won't as they are expected to move over to DDR5 so drastic changes to the memory controller and of course the need for DDR5 support with most likely a increase in pin count etc. Intel you need a new motherboard every generation because Intel also have a chipset business to keep running but also board makers like ASUS, MSI gigabyte etc don't mind in selling more motherboards, it does keep them going after all. I am not surprised the Ryzen 3950x has lower power consumption they are binned and run at lower voltage, much like the 9900KS.

#5731751

MonstroMart

2019-11-15 16:55

schmidtbag:

Although I don't disagree with your point, I find it very unlikely we're going to see a next-gen Ryzen architecture on AM4. AMD will be releasing AM4 products into 2020 but they haven't released any of the Zen2 APUs yet and the year is almost over. So, I predict the those APUs will be the last we see for AM4. Maybe some of the "Pro" models too.

I think it depends on what Intel is doing. AMD is no different than Intel. If Intel doesn't release something significantly better next year and keep refreshing it's current lineup (i'm not following Intel's or AMD's roadmap) then AMD could very well decide to do a Zen 2+ refresh on AM4 with a new x670 chipset and stay on DDR4. Maybe it wont be supported by the x370 and x470 chipset MBs but it could very well still use the AM4 socket.

schmidtbag:

Out of curiosity, why? Sure, it's binned better than the 9900K, but it doesn't seem to overclock much better. So as an overclocker, you're basically paying a higher price for little to no practical advantage.

It's not overclocking better than past 9900k cpus but you have to wonder if you are buying a 9900k now if you still have the same chances to get a good bin as before since Intel is now keeping the best bin for itself.

#5731761

Smovs

2019-11-15 17:18

Thanks for the review I dont understand people who is gaming on there pc mostly this is the ultimate CPU and have the money for it Who cares for eco friendly system on pc dont get it.

#5731765

moo100times

2019-11-15 17:31

So is this cpu zombieload vulnerable?

#5731770

schmidtbag

2019-11-15 17:46

MonstroMart:

I think it depends on what Intel is doing. AMD is no different than Intel. If Intel doesn't release something significantly better next year and keep refreshing it's current lineup (i'm not following Intel's or AMD's roadmap) then AMD could very well decide to do a Zen 2+ refresh on AM4 with a new x670 chipset and stay on DDR4. Maybe it wont be supported by the x370 and x470 chipset MBs but it could very well still use the AM4 socket.

If we were to see a Zen2+ then yes, I'd agree with everything you said there. But, the Zen3 architecture is already complete, so, I doubt there will be a Zen2+.

It's not overclocking better than past 9900k cpus but you have to wonder if you are buying a 9900k now if you still have the same chances to get a good bin as before since Intel is now keeping the best bin for itself.

True, but from what I can tell, most people with adequate power and cooling don't have a hard time getting Intel CPUs to reach 5GHz.

D3M1G0D:

I don't really overclock nowadays, as I prefer stability. I'd like the insurance of a guaranteed clock speed of 5 GHz.

Fair enough, though, see my comment above. For someone who isn't going to overclock, I'd say the real benefit of the KS is the lower wattage (vs an overclocked K).

Loophole35:

4000 is confirmed for AM4.

That still coincides with what I said - Zen2 APUs haven't been released yet, and they will most likely be marketed as the 4000 series. The 3000 series APUs use Zen+. Unless you have a source that proves otherwise, it seems Zen3 will not be available for AM4.

#5731771

slicer

2019-11-15 17:48

mohiuddin:

While scrolling down through the power consumption chart , i was quite fascinated by the 3950x's numbers. While populating 4 more cores under the hood , it consumes less than 3900x. Quite intriguing....

The reason is that 3950X is better binned chip. It consumes less voltage at the same clock. I bet that there are some EPYC cpus's that are even better, but you pay extra for that higher binning. And this 9900KS is no exception. It is same chip as 9900K, but only maybe 3-7% from all of the 9900K's that come from one wafer are going to run 5.0Ghz out of the box and with lower voltage than 9900K. Those are set aside and relabled as 9900KS. But for Intel that is the absolute best silicon basically. But for AMD 3950X is average quality chip. They could make batter 16/32SMT 3950X's if they want. But AMD will not do that. Because the very best of the best are going for those Epyc CPU's and You PAY for that "absolute best perf per wat". AMD aint giving that away cheap for 750 euros, when they can ask 3x more for server owners. Thats why I am going to pass on the Ryzen 3000 series. I am waiting for the manufacturing to improve and i want to get better chip for my money- when I am going to lay out 500-750 euros for my cpu. Ryzen 4000 next autumn will be good!

#5731773

MonstroMart

2019-11-15 17:50

schmidtbag:

If we were to see a Zen2+ then yes, I'd agree with everything you said there. But, the Zen3 architecture is already complete, so, I doubt there will be a Zen2+.

Which is why i said AMD is no different than Intel 😉 Zen 3 might be complete but if they are not forced to release it they could take the decision to keep it for 2021 and refresh the current lineup to milk it as much as they can. Like i said i'm not following either companies roadmap but Intel got to come up with something better than just a refresh. While the 9900k is still the king of non gpu bound gaming the rest of their offering is noting to brag about.

#5731775

slicer

2019-11-15 17:54

MonstroMart:

Which is why i said AMD is no different than Intel 😉 Zen 3 might be complete but if they are not forced to release it they could take the decision to keep it for 2021 and refresh the current lineup to milk it as much as they can. Like i said i'm not following either companies roadmap but Intel got to come up with something better than just a refresh. While the 9900k is still the king of non gpu bound gaming the rest of their offering is noting to brag about.

AMD definetly wants to have a Gaming throne as well. There was never gona be Zen2+ architecture, it was always gona be Zen1, Zen1+, Zen2, Zen3 and Zen4. Zen3 is definetly coming next end of summer. Share holders are excpecting that.

#5731776

JamesSneed

2019-11-15 17:57

Thanks for the review. So this is the pinnacle of Intel until they can get a high performing IceLake chip out the door. This really shows AMD needs to get Zen3 aka Ryzen 4000 out as fast as possible. They have the IPC now they just need a more mature TSMC process to eek out more frequency well and probably a little more IPC. As a first gen Ryzen owner with a x370 motherboard i'm a little hopefully I can socket in a Ryzen 4000 8 core chip.

#5731781

barbacot

2019-11-15 18:02

MonstroMart:

... but Intel got to come up with something better than just a refresh. While the 9900k is still the king of non gpu bound gaming the rest of their offering is noting to brag about.

I really hope so...or is back to prescott times when reviews of AMD CPU's had in title "another overpriced CPU from AMD" . We will replace one greedy corporation with another and if I remember correctly their logo was green from the money at that time.

#5731782

MonstroMart

2019-11-15 18:04

JamesSneed:

Thanks for the review. So this is the pinnacle of Intel until they can get a high performing IceLake chip out the door. This really shows AMD needs to get Zen3 aka Ryzen 4000 out as fast as possible. They have the IPC now they just need a more mature TSMC process to eek out more frequency well and probably a little more IPC. As a first gen Ryzen owner with a x370 motherboard i'm a little hopefully I can socket in a Ryzen 4000 8 core chip.

I would like too. But the thing is pairing a Ryzen 4xxx chip with 3200Mhz memory could be kind of unproductive. I have a Crosshair Hero VI and while i've seen report of people able to run their RAM at a higher speed than 3200Mhz it's not officially supported by the MB so it's kind of a hit or miss.

#5731783

MonstroMart

2019-11-15 18:06

barbacot:

I really hope so...or is back to prescott times when reviews of AMD CPU's had in title "another overpriced CPU from AMD" . We will replace one greedy corporation with another and if I remember correctly their logo was green from the money at that time.

It's sad that people have forgotten that. AMD used to be the one overpricing their CPU when Intel was not competitive. They are no different than Intel. Competition is good for everyone.

#5731789

barbacot

2019-11-15 18:10

MonstroMart:

It's sad that people have forgotten that. AMD used to be the one overpricing their CPU when Intel was not competitive. They are no different than Intel. Competition is good for everyone.

I still remember the little fortune that I payed for a Athlon 64 X2 4800+: MSRP: 1001$ - in store 1300$ because of scarcity.

#5731790

Loophole35

2019-11-15 18:11

schmidtbag:

That still coincides with what I said - Zen2 APUs haven't been released yet, and they will most likely be marketed as the 4000 series. The 3000 series APUs use Zen+. Unless you have a source that proves otherwise, it seems Zen3 will not be available for AM4.

Lisa Sue in an interview talking about Zen3 said that it would be on AM4. the first 4000 CPU's will not be APU's.