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Intel Core i9-9900F Makes an Appearance in SiSoft Sandra: No iGPU, No Unlocked Multiplier

Raevenlord

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Intel has been playing with the release of multiple of their 14 nm ++ processors without any integrated graphics tech, such as the Intel Core i5-9400F, or the iGPU-less, unlocked Core i9-9900KF. However, as strange as it may seem, a quick look online still shows the i9-9900KF selling for more ($582.50) than its complete i9-9900 sibling.

The Core i9-9900F, as caught in SiSoft's Sandra, is likely simply a locked-down version of Intel's Core i9-9900, since delidding of Intel's Core i5-9400F has shown that the silicon real-estate for the iGPU is still there - as such, this likely isn't an effort from Intel to reduce the silicon used for graphics and pass on the savings to customers. At the most, this is Intel launching products that may carry defective iGPUs from the production process and still be able to sell them - though Intel does seem to be looking not to budge on its profit margin, even on these "crippled" CPUs.





The 9900F should feature the same eight-core, 16-thread design and 16 MB L3 cache and a locked multiplier, but as reported by SiSoftware, its clockspeeds could have taken a hit as well: according to the software, the i9-9900F features a 3.1 GHz base clock speed, some 500 MHz lower than the "K" and "KF" variants. However, the chip does seem to be able to reach 5 GHz on two cores and 4.8 GHz on four cores. Either that or incorrect reporting from the software itself - or even the fact that the CPU is being run at non-final clockspeeds. Anyway, it seems that Intel really is looking to expand its CPU offerings without any iGPU - though the fact that this seems to have no effect on the price-tag whatsoever is slightly bemusing.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site
 
K is for unlocked and F is for we have no idea what we're doing.
 
The only budging that's going to happen is people switching to AMD this year.
 
Intel's greed knows no bounds.
 
Only Zen can save us.
 
I'm surprised people criticize these CPUs and praise AMD at the same time.
Intel is doing this because of AMD. Because until Zen came out no one thought that so many people would be willing to pay for a high-end consumer CPU without an IGP.
 
F is for failed..
 
Because until Zen came out no one thought that so many people would be willing to pay for a high-end consumer CPU without an IGP.
I don't think there was any doubt that high-end consumers use dedicated graphics, but it's still a valid point. 9th-gen "F" and Ryzen 3000 will be more similar than past lineups.

Anyone remember LucidLogix Virtu? I think what this really stems back to is hybrid graphics that Intel envisioned would be the future. Instead, new GPUs started pulling off tricks like near zero idle power, hardware encoding (e.g. Nvidia NVENC), etc.
 
I'm surprised people criticize these CPUs and praise AMD at the same time.
Intel is doing this because of AMD. Because until Zen came out no one thought that so many people would be willing to pay for a high-end consumer CPU without an IGP.

The majority of people buying a high-end consumer desktop CPU absolutely don't need an IGP, and may never use the IGP in the entire lifetime of their PC.

The criticism comes from the pricing of these F-series CPU's. The 9400F & 9600KF are the same price as their IGP'd counterparts, so you get less but pay the same price. Seems like a valid criticism from a consumer standpoint to me.
 
The majority of people buying a high-end consumer desktop CPU absolutely don't need an IGP, and may never use the IGP in the entire lifetime of their PC.

The criticism comes from the pricing of these F-series CPU's. The 9400F & 9600KF are the same price as their IGP'd counterparts, so you get less but pay the same price. Seems like a valid criticism from a consumer standpoint to me.

yep the fact the price is not cheaper makes no sense to me... Intel can shove off at this point.
 
I don't think there was any doubt that high-end consumers use dedicated graphics, but it's still a valid point.
I think there's a risk we don't use the same terminology.
If by "consumers" we mean people that buy these CPUs for private use, than yes - most will be used with a graphics card. A powerful GPU is the main reason to own a desktop.
But if we mean "consumer CPUs" (LGA1151) then no, a big chunk of these CPUs will be put into business workstations and almost all will need an IGP.

These -F CPUs are made precisely to compete with Ryzens in the consumer market. Until now Intel didn't offer them, because there was no need. CPUs with bad IGP where called Xeons. Now they're moved to consumer platform to make it more affordable.
8400 costs $200, but 9400F is $170, so it can compete with Ryzen 5 2600 ($165).

The majority of people buying a high-end consumer desktop CPU absolutely don't need an IGP, and may never use the IGP in the entire lifetime of their PC.
Mentioned above. "Consumer" == "home user" vs "consumer" == "consumer platform". A big chunk of i5/i7 are bought by offices, schools etc.
The criticism comes from the pricing of these F-series CPU's. The 9400F & 9600KF are the same price as their IGP'd counterparts, so you get less but pay the same price. Seems like a valid criticism from a consumer standpoint to me.
The same MSRP - yes (I've checked on Intel ARK). The same price on the market? No. 9400F is 20% cheaper.
 
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I'm surprised people criticize these CPUs and praise AMD at the same time.
Intel is doing this because of AMD. Because until Zen came out no one thought that so many people would be willing to pay for a high-end consumer CPU without an IGP.

so true

The majority of people buying a high-end consumer desktop CPU absolutely don't need an IGP, and may never use the IGP in the entire lifetime of their PC.

The criticism comes from the pricing of these F-series CPU's. The 9400F & 9600KF are the same price as their IGP'd counterparts, so you get less but pay the same price. Seems like a valid criticism from a consumer standpoint to me.

I'm in an RMA process and will be running off my iGPU for probably 3 to 4 weeks. I for one will never buy an iGPU-less CPU
 
Intel i9 9900KF....C? where is C suffix?
 
I don't understand. How come a CPU that is missing the graphic cores cost the same or more than the one that has them?!?!?
Is it able to OC better or has lower temps? Can anyone clarify?
Thanks.
 
so true



I'm in an RMA process and will be running off my iGPU for probably 3 to 4 weeks. I for one will never buy an iGPU-less CPU
You do realise you could buy a GT 1030 with a 2700X and it'd still be cheaper than a 9700K? Lol...

I don't understand. How come a CPU that is missing the graphic cores cost the same or more than the one that has them?!?!?
Is it able to OC better or has lower temps? Can anyone clarify?
Thanks.
Because Profitz. Intel is not passing the saving down to the consumer:)
 
You do realise you could buy a GT 1030 with a 2700X and it'd still be cheaper than a 9700K? Lol...

relative-performance-games-1920-1080.png


My i5 9600k cost $292
2700x costs 357$ in my country.
Also, 9600k beats 2700x pretty bad, is less power hungry, less heat and more compatible with RAM

8 cores is a gimmick too, I'm not rendering nor streaming so why get a meme AMD processor?
 
relative-performance-games-1920-1080.png


My i5 9600k cost $292
2700x costs 357$ in my country.
Also, 9600k beats 2700 pretty bad, is less power hungry, less heat and more compatible with RAM

8 cores is a gimmick too, I'm not rendering nor streaming so why get a meme AMD processor?

5% faster. Yup! That's pretty bad beating right there! Your 6T CPU is already starting to stutter in some games. 2600+ will have no such issue. 2700X is geared towards folk who need the extra multi-processor performance, where it will just crush the 9600K. Factor in your cooler which the 2700X comes with, oh and i'm not even going to state the value proposition of the 2600X compared to your 6T turd.

Tools like you are what's wrong with the entire PC hardware market.

But that's off topic.
 
Your 6T CPU is already starting to stutter in some games.

nice lie. read the review conclusion, it's on par with i7 and if you believe that an i5 9600k struggles in any game than your fanboizm is clouding your judgement
 
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