Is Intel i9 the best?

Is Intel i9 the best? Let's find out

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Core i9 processors are Intel’s best and most expensive consumer-grade CPU offerings. Each year, the new Core i9 releases compete with their AMD Ryzen 9 counterparts for the top spot. Let’s find out: is Intel i9 the best?

Now Read: Best CPU for gaming

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Intel Core i9 vs. AMD Ryzen 9

Intel Core i9 processors really only receive competition from Ryzen 9 processors. The other CPU lineups out there, such as Ryzen 7 and Intel Core i7, are simply outmatched by the Core i9s in terms of specs and performance. 

Let’s take a look at the recent Core i9 and Ryzen 9 processors to get a better idea of where things stand right now.

13900KS

The 13900KS is a 24-core, 32-thread processor featuring Intel’s hybrid core architecture. It has 8 hyperthreaded performance cores capable of hitting a clock speed of 6GHz with Intel’s Thermal Velocity Boost technology if the cooling solution and PSU allow it. 

The 16 efficiency cores can boost up to a lesser 4.3GHz, which doesn’t help out much in single-threaded workloads but does increase the processor’s multicore performance remarkably. 

Ryzen 9 7950X

The Ryzen 9 7950X is currently AMD’s flagship CPU (that’s expected to change with the release of the Ryzen 9 7950X3D on February 28th). 

It’s a 16-core, 32-thread processor with a maximum clock speed of 5.7GHz. Already we start to see some gaps, as the 7950X has 8 cores fewer and runs 300MHz slower at max speed. 

Still, it has the same thread count as the 13900KS, and the lack of 8 cores is offset somewhat by the fact that the 13900KS’ cores are mostly the smaller, efficiency cores. 

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Is Intel i9 the best for gaming?

Currently, the 13900KS is the best gaming processor out there. Gaming performance is determined mostly by a processor’s maximum clock speed. 

The i9’s unrivaled 6GHz max boost clock allows it to offer industry-leading performance in gaming, even if only by a slight margin over the other high-end CPUs. 

However, as we’ve found in the past couple of years, CPU cache influences gaming performance considerably as well. The upcoming Ryzen 7950X3D will feature 144MBs of V-cache, which is four times that of the 13900KS. 

We can’t say for sure just yet, but based on what we know about CPUs and what we saw at CES 2023, it seems likely that the 7950X3D will dethrone the 13900KS as the best gaming processor. 

Currently, though, the 13th generation i9 is indeed the best for gaming.

Core i9 processors generally outperform their Ryzen 9 counterparts across generations, so they usually end up being the better gaming processors. 

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Is Intel i9 the best for productivity?

Interestingly, Core i9 CPUs used to have far fewer cores and threads than the 13900KS does. For example, the 12900KS had 24 threads, and the 11900K 16. AMD Ryzen 9 CPUs have always been 32-thread processors, however, so they were always the better for productivity. 

That changed this year, with the 24-core, 32-thread 13900KS establishing a solid lead over its competitor, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, in multicore performance. 

The i9-13900KS is currently the best productivity processor and will likely continue to hold this title under the next generation of processors is released. The X3D Ryzen CPUs are unlikely to snag this title from it. 

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Is Intel i9 the best processor for me?

The only right question to ask. 

A Core i9 CPU, and particularly the 13900KS (or K), is for you if:

• You’re an enthusiast gamer looking to build the best gaming rig money can buy right now (although you may want to hold off until the 7950X3D releases, in this case!)
• You’re looking for a workstation processor. The 13900Ks is the best there is. For previous generations, AMD Ryzen 9 CPUs are better. 
• You’re a content creator or streamer. If having a strong processor helps you create better content for your audience, then it may be worth paying the premium. 
• You’re willing to spend on a powerful AIO or custom loop liquid cooler. Core i9 processors run incredibly hot due to their high power usage.