9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900K
- iGPU:
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
- Boost/Base Clock:
- 5.0 GHz / 3.6 GHz
- Core/Thread Count:
- 8 Core / 16 Thread
- Cache:
- 16MB L3 + 2MB L2 + 512KB L1
- TDP:
- 95 Watts
- CPU Process Node:
- 14 Nanometers
- CPU Socket:
- LGA 1151
- CPU Series:
- Coffee Lake Refresh
- Memory Support:
- DDR4-2666
- Form Factor:
- Desktop
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Manufacturer: Intel Last updated: September 9, 2026
9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900K Review
The 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900K is Intel's Coffee Lake Refresh flagship, an 8-core, 16-thread unlocked desktop processor running a 3.6 GHz base clock that boosts to 5.0 GHz within a 95 Watt TDP on the LGA 1151 socket.
This was Intel's first mainstream desktop chip to reach 5.0 GHz out of the box, and it earned a widespread reputation as one of the best gaming CPUs of its generation thanks to genuinely strong per-core performance.
Intel UHD Graphics 630
A basic integrated GPU intended for display output; enthusiast desktop builds around this flagship chip typically pair it with a high-end discrete GPU.
How Is the Core i9-9900K in Terms of Performance
The combination of 8 cores, 16 threads, and a 5.0 GHz boost clock made this chip Intel's strongest mainstream gaming and productivity option at launch, with genuinely excellent per-core performance that kept it competitive in gaming benchmarks for years.
Benchmarks
Cinebench R20 single-core scores of 518 reflect genuinely excellent per-core performance, among the strongest of any Coffee Lake Refresh chip, directly reflecting this chip's 5.0 GHz out-of-the-box boost ceiling.
Specifications
Identity
| Brand | Intel |
|---|---|
| Product Line | Core i9 |
| Product Line | Core i9 |
| Model Number | 9900K |
| Codename | Coffee Lake Refresh |
| Release Year | 2018 |
Segment and platform
| Market Segment | Desktop |
|---|---|
| Microarchitecture | Coffee Lake Refresh, 9th Gen Intel Core |
| Socket | LGA 1151 |
| Socket Status | End of Life |
| Process Node | 14 nm |
| Process Node | 14 nm |
Core configuration
| Performance Cores | 8 |
|---|---|
| Efficiency Cores | 0 |
| SMT Enabled | Yes |
Clock speeds
| P-Core Base Clock | 3.6 GHz |
|---|---|
| P-Core Boost Clock | 5.0 GHz |
Cache
| L2 Cache | 2 MB |
|---|---|
| L3 Cache | 16 MB |
Power and thermal
| Base Power | 95 W |
|---|---|
| Max Turbo Power | 95 W |
Memory
| Memory Type | DDR4-2666 |
|---|---|
| Memory Type | DDR4 |
| Max Memory Speed | 2666 MT/s |
| Memory Channels | 2 |
| ECC Support | No |
Graphics and AI
| Integrated Graphics | Yes |
|---|---|
| iGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Copilot Plus Certified | No |
Expansion
| PCIe Generation | 3.0 |
|---|---|
| PCIe Lanes | 16 |
Commercial
| Launch MSRP | 488 USD |
|---|---|
| Retail Availability | Retail |
| Form Factor | Desktop |
|---|---|
| Core/Thread Count | 8 Core / 16 Thread |
| TDP | 95 W |
| iGPU | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Cache | 16MB L3 + 2MB L2 + 512KB L1 |
| Boost/Base Clock | 5.0 GHz / 3.6 GHz |
Measured results
SPEC CPU 2017
Best published result on spec.org as of 23 Sept 2026.
| SPECrate® 2017 Integer (base) | 51 |
Cores 8 · Tested in SuperWorkstation 5039C-T (X11SCA , Intel Core i9-9900K) · Published by Supermicro, Jan-2019
Full disclosure on spec.org| SPECrate® 2017 Floating Point (base) | 42.9 |
Cores 8 · Tested in SuperWorkstation 5039C-T (X11SCA , Intel Core i9-9900K) · Published by Supermicro, Jan-2019
Full disclosure on spec.orgSPEC®, SPECrate® and SPECspeed® are registered trademarks of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation. Copied by permission of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC). Results retrieved from www.spec.org on 23 Sept 2026.
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Best for
- Gaming and productivity desktop builds wanting Intel's strongest mainstream Coffee Lake Refresh performance
Not for
- Buyers wanting the very latest architecture — considerably newer chips offer meaningful IPC and efficiency improvements
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900K?
The 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900K is a processor from Intel. Key specs: iGPU Intel UHD Graphics 630, Boost/Base Clock 5.0 GHz / 3.6 GHz, Core/Thread Count 8 Core / 16 Thread, Cache 16MB L3 + 2MB L2 + 512KB L1, TDP 95 Watts.
Will the 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900K work with my current setup?
The 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900K lists CPU Socket is LGA 1151. Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.
Who is the 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900K best suited to?
It suits gaming and productivity desktop builds wanting intel's strongest mainstream coffee lake refresh performance.
What are the drawbacks of the 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900K?
It is a poor fit for buyers wanting the very latest architecture — considerably newer chips offer meaningful ipc and efficiency improvements.