Intel Core i9

Since 2017, the Intel Core i9 processors have stood for maximum performance in the end customer segment. The Intel Core i9 processors have even more cores than Intel's previous top series, the Core i7. In addition, the Intel Core i9 processors have an even higher clock frequency. In order to enable the high clock rates, only the best chips are used in the Intel Core i9 series.

The Intel Core i9 processors have high basic clock rates, which can be significantly increased again in Turbo mode. Since these are very powerful processors, both notebooks and desktop PCs or workstations must be cooled very well in order not to limit the full performance of the processors. Otherwise, so-called thermal throttling occurs, in which the processor automatically reduces its clock frequency as soon as a certain core temperature is reached.

Since 2021, Intel has relied on a hybrid core structure for its processors, in which fast P cores calculate with efficient but slower E cores in a network. With this structure, Intel has been able to significantly increase the number of cores in its processors in recent years and thus again achieve the TOP positions in benchmarks such as Cinebench R23, even in very heavy load scenarios.

All Intel Core i9 processors with a K or KF in the product designation can be overclocked, there are even mobile processors with a free multiplier. These can be recognized by a final HK in the product designation. Since 2019, Intel has also been offering the so-called F variants, in which the internal graphics card (iGPU) is deactivated. In return, the processors are available at a reduced price. Everyone has to decide for themselves whether it's worth it. However, one should consider that the integrated graphics unit can also be used for video playback, e.g. on YouTube, Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. The dedicated graphics card can then be put into standby there, which has a positive effect on energy consumption.

Competitor AMD has been countering the Intel Core i9 processors with the Ryzen 9 processors since the end of 2019, which are currently available with up to 16 cores (AMD Ryzen 9 7950X) in the mainstream desktop area. The Intel processors are manufactured in a process called Intel 7 (improved 10 nm process), which is said to be roughly comparable to TSMC's 7 nm production. Technically, the current Intel processors are roughly on the same level as the AMD models, with a slight advantage for AMD, whose current models are already manufactured in 5 nm.

The Intel Core i9 processors can manage at least 128 GB of RAM in at least two memory channels (dual-channel mode). The latest Intel Core i9 processors (Raptor Lake) support up to DDR5-5600 RAM. Using the Intel XMP 3.0 profile, even faster memory modules can be installed in order to further increase the bandwidth of the processor.

All Intel Core i9 CPUs

	Processor	Generation
	Intel Core i9-13980HX 24C 32T @ 2.20 GHz	13.
	Intel Core i9-13950HX 24C 32T @ 2.20 GHz	13.
	Intel Core i9-13905H 14C 20T @ 2.60 GHz	13.
	Intel Core i9-13900TE 24C 32T @ 1.00 GHz	13.
	Intel Core i9-13900T 24C 32T @ 1.10 GHz	13.
	Intel Core i9-13900KS 24C 32T @ 3.20 GHz	13.
	Intel Core i9-13900KF 24C 32T @ 3.00 GHz	13.
	Intel Core i9-13900K 24C 32T @ 3.00 GHz	13.
	Intel Core i9-13900HX 24C 32T @ 2.20 GHz	13.
	Intel Core i9-13900HK 14C 20T @ 2.60 GHz	13.
	Intel Core i9-13900H 14C 20T @ 2.60 GHz	13.
	Intel Core i9-13900F 24C 32T @ 2.00 GHz	13.
	Intel Core i9-13900E 24C 32T @ 1.80 GHz	13.
	Intel Core i9-13900 24C 32T @ 2.00 GHz	13.
	Intel Core i9-12950HX 16C 24T @ 2.30 GHz	12.
	Intel Core i9-12900TE 16C 24T @ 1.10 GHz	12.
	Intel Core i9-12900T 16C 24T @ 1.40 GHz	12.
	Intel Core i9-12900KS 16C 24T @ 3.40 GHz	12.
	Intel Core i9-12900KF 16C 24T @ 3.20 GHz	12.
	Intel Core i9-12900K 16C 24T @ 3.20 GHz	12.

Intel Core i9 generation list

Name	Generation	Segment	Technology	Architecture
Intel Core i 13000	13.	Desktop / Server	10 nm	Raptor Lake S
Intel Core i 13000H	13.	Mobile	10 nm	Raptor Lake H
Intel Core i 12000	12.	Desktop / Server	10 nm	Alder Lake S
Intel Core i 12000H	12.	Mobile	10 nm	Alder Lake H
Intel Core i 11000H	11.	Mobile	10 nm	Tiger Lake H
Intel Core i 11000	11.	Desktop / Server	14 nm	Rocket Lake S
Intel Core i 10000	10.	Desktop / Server	14 nm	Comet Lake S
Intel Core i 10000H	10.	Mobile	14 nm	Comet Lake H
Intel Core i 10000X	10.	Desktop / Server	14 nm	Cascade Lake
Intel Core i 9000	9.	Desktop / Server	14 nm	Coffee Lake S Refresh
Intel Core i 9000H	9.	Mobile	14 nm	Coffee Lake H Refresh
Intel Core i 9000X	9.	Desktop / Server	14 nm	Skylake X Refresh
Intel Core i 8000H	8.	Mobile	14 nm	Coffee Lake H
Intel Core i 7000X	7.	Desktop / Server	14 nm	Skylake X

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