Intel Core 9th-Generation Processors First Prices And Details

The first 9th-gen Intel Core processors were revealed with release prices and dates this morning at an Intel event. The first wave of these processors will – SHOCK – be aimed at desktop processing power enthusiasts as well as gamers. Inside we'll find support for Optane-based memory sticks and hardware-level fixes (and pre-fixes) for Spectre and Meltdown attacks. You'll find the first chip in the series comes as a monster: That's the Intel Core i9-9900K, the first so-called "broad volume" processor to hit 5Ghz.

Inside this processor generation are a refined set of Intel's 14-nanometer chips – some of the same tech in the mix before now, made a whole lot better. These processors will work with quad DDR4 memory channels, 68 PCI Express lanes, and support for a whole lot more than was available in the recent past. New "solder thermal interface material (STIM)" makes for more headroom for overclocking, too.

These processors feature a bunch of "new and featured technology" Intel is proud of. In the mix is up to 40 platform PCIE lanes, Intel Optane memory and Intel Optane SSD support, and both up to 5Ghz (as mentioned) and 16MB cache. Also onboard is support for HD Audio, Thunderbolt 3, Sata 3.0, PCIe 3.0, USB 3.1 Gen 2, USB 2, and Intel LAN PHY, as one would expect.

There's a new Z390 chipset motherboard on the way, too. In that you'll find high speed integrated USB 3.1 Gen 2) (10 Gb/s) as well as integrated Intel Wireless-AC with support for gigabit speed. As one would suspect, Intel suggested today that the Intel Z390 motherboard will deliver "the optimal 9th gen Intel Core desktop processor performance."

Processors included in the first wave are as follows:

• i9-9900K (3.6GHz), Boost 5GHz, 8/16 Cores/Threads, 16MB cache, $488 RCP

• i7-9700K (3.6GHz), Boost 4.9GHz, 8/8 Cores/Threads, 12MB cache, $374 RCP

• i5-9600K (3.7GHz), Boost 4.6Ghz, 6/6 Cores/Threads, 9MB cache, $262 RCP

Preorders begin today. Stick around for more information on in-store dates and standard release times.

Also revealed today was the big boss: the 28-core Xeon W-3175X. This processor brings speeds up to 4.3GHz and promises to fulfill its namesake. That means costs well above what the average consumer is willing to pay – not that prices were revealed just yet. We do now know that this processor will start shipping this December, 2018 – so stay tuned for the big price tag.

A new Core X-Series was also shown today, including Core i7 X-Series, Core i9 X-Series, and Core i9 Extreme processors. These roll with 218 cores and 36 threads – super extreme! We'll get release dates and prices on these sooner than later – for all the gamers in waiting.