Intel Lake: Core i9, i7, and i5

The Latest Intel 11th generation desktop processor begins with i5, with 6 and 12 threads, through to i7 and i9, each with 8 cores and sixteen threads.

All processors can accept DDR4-3200 natively, and supply 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes in supported motherboards – these lanes can alter graphics and storage direct from the processor, generally in an x16/x4 or x8/x8/x4 combination.

Both the i9 and i7 this point around have an equivalent count - commonly the Core i9 would supply a clear difference, like additional cores, except for this generation, the distinction is additional subtle: Core i9 can supply higher frequencies and thermal rate boost (TVB).

At the top of the stack is that the i9-11900K. Intel has set the 1000-unit evaluation of the i9-11900K at $539.

Note that Intel does this 1k unit valuation for OEMs, therefore the final retail worth is usually $10-$25 higher. this can be well higher than AMD’s Ryzen seven 5800X at $449 September (MSRP), which is additionally an 8-core processor.

Intel is stating that at the side of better gaming performance, this processor also offers next-generation integrated graphics, acceptance for brand-new AI directions, and increased media support for the value differential.

On specifications, we knew most of the i9-11900K from a previous announcement, however these days we learn that this processor includes a base frequency of 3.5 GHz, aboard a peak turbo of 5.3 GHz in Thermal rate Boost mode, 5.2 GHz otherwise on the favored, or 5.1 GHz on non-favored cores. The all Intel frequency is 4.8 GHz in TVB turbo mode, or 4.7 GHz.

Thermal rate Boost is somewhat new to the desktop space, however what it means is that if the processor is below a particular temperature, it'll add an extra +100 MHz frequency throughout turbo. In the desktop processor, this temperature is 70ºC (158F).

That being said, motherboard makers are liberal to ignore this temperature level, and in our expertise, most consumer/gaming motherboards disable that check and permit for TVB in any respect temperatures.

The only processor not obtaining TVB in the i9 family is that the i9-11900T, which is the 35 W member of the family. This processor has 35 W on the box because its base frequency is 1.5 GHz, though it'll turbo up to 4.9 GHz single-core and three.7 gigacycle all-core. These processors usually find themselves in OEM systems and mini-PCs that are additional possible to strictly follow Intel’s turbo recommendations.

All Core i9 processors can accept DDR4-3200, and therefore the specification is that the K/KF processor change a 1:1 frequency mode with the memory controller at this speed.

This processor offers eight cores, sixteen threads, with a single-core turbo of 5.0 gigahertz on the favored core, 4.9 gigahertz otherwise, and 4.6 gigahertz all-core turbo.

As noted in our review, the 125 W TDP on the box means that very little, as we saw 215-225 W peak power draw throughout turbo of AVX2, and 276-292 W peak power draw throughout AVX-512, and motherboard makers typically default to unlimited turbo in any event.

Users going once any i7 or i9 product should look to a decent air cooler or liquid cooler to get the best thermal performance here.

On the subject of memory, the i7 family will support DDR4-3200, but Intel’s specifications are that any non-Core i9 processor should run at a 2:1 ratio of DRAM to memory controller by default, instead of 1:1, effectively lowering memory performance.

This creates some segmentation between Core i9 and therefore the rest, as for the rest of the processor the specification for DDR4-2933 is 1:1.

Despite this technical specification, we can make sure in our testing of our i7-11700K that each one of the motherboards we've got used to date truly default to 1:1 at DDR4-3200.

it'd seem that motherboard makers are assured enough in their memory styles to ignore Intel’s specifications on this.

The Intel Core i7-11700K is $399, which is vital in 2 ways.

First, it's $140 Inexpensive than the Core i9-K. That leaves the Intel i9 high and dry. Unless there’s one thing special therein chip we'ven’t been told that we have to find return retail day on March thirtieth, that’s a huge evaluation difference.

The second is that the comparative AMD processor, the Ryzen seven 5800X, has eight cores and includes a $449 Sep. If each processor were found at these costs, then the comparison is a smart one – the Ryzen 7 5800X in our testing scored +8% in C.P.U. tests and +1% in playtests (1080p Max).

The Ryzen is incredibly a lot of the additional efficient processor, but the Intel has integrated graphics (an argument that disappears with KF at $374). it'll be attention-grabbing to visualize what recommendations individuals come to with that evaluation.

Another difference at intervals between these elements is that the Core i5-11400 and Core i5-11400T have UHD Graphics 730, not 750, which in all probability implies that these are running 16 EU configurations, instead of 32 EU. The Core i5 spreads out plenty with additional offerings, from $157 for the Core i5-11400F, up to $262 for the Core i5-11600K. of these processors have six cores and twelve threads, all have the normal Intel Turbo 2.0, and all DDR4-3200 (2:1) or DDR4-2933 (1:1).