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Intel Core i9-9900KS vs Intel Core i9-9900K vs Intel Core i5-9400F

Intel Core i9-9900KS

► remove from comparison Intel i9-9900KS

The Intel Core i9-9900KS is a high end desktop processor that includes 8 cores based on the Coffee Lake architecture. It is the fastest Coffee Lake CPU in 2019 and compared to the similar named i9-9900K, the KS offers an all core Turbo of 5 GHz. All cores can clock between 4 GHz and 5 GHz and thanks to Hyperthreading / SMT 16 threads can be executed in parallel. The CPU is still manufactured in the mature 14 nm process (14nm++). Thanks to the open multiplicator, the CPU is rather easy to overclock (if a Z390 based mainboard is used).

With good cooling, the i9-9900KS can be around 10% faster than the older Intel Core i9-9900K (thanks to the 5 GHz all core Turbo). Compare to the old Core i7-8700K, the 9900KS is even 45% faster. Especially for gaming, the 9900KS is currently the fastest option available. The fast Ryzen and Threadripper CPUs from AMD however offer a better multithreaded performance.

The integrated GPU is called Intel UHD Graphics 630 and clocks with up to 1.2 GHz. It is not suited for demanding 3D games and located in the low end.

The TDP is raised to 127 Watt for the additional performance, therefore a good CPU cooler is needed. When overclocking the CPU, more than 200 Watt can be reached unter load.

Intel Core i9-9900K

► remove from comparison

The Intel Core i9-9900K is a high end desktop processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture. At the time of announcement in late 2018, the 9900K is the fastest Coffee Lake CPU and offers an open multiplicator for easy overclocking. The CPU integrates 8 cores (16 threads) clocked at 3.6 - 5 GHz and it needs a new Z390 based mainboard.

Thanks to the two additional cores, the performance in multi-threaded applications is up to 25 % faster than the older Core i7-8700K. The single thread performance is only slightly faster due to the higher clock speeds. As a high end desktop CPU, the i9-9900K is suited even for very demanding applications and perfect for 3D gaming.

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 graphics card is clocked at up to 1.2 GHz and offers no advantage compared to previous generations. As it is a very low end GPU, only some low demanding games like Hearthstone can be played with it (see GPU page for benchmarks).

Intel specifies the TDP at 95 Watt, so if the CPU is used in laptops a big and chunky cooling system is needed to avoid throttling and lower clock speeds under sustained loads. When overclocking the CPU, the power consumption can easily rise up to 200 Watt and higher.

Intel Core i5-9400F

► remove from comparison Intel i5-9400F

The Intel Core i5-9400F is a six-core desktop processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture introduced in October 2018 along with the flagship Intel Core i9-9900K. The processor clocks at 2.9-4.1 GHz and can process up to 6 threads simultaneously. The Intel Core i5-9400F is manufactured in the improved 14-nm process (14nm++).

Performance

Compared to the Intel Core i5-8400, the performance could only be increased slightly. Performance increases of up to 10 percent can be expected. Both processors (old and new) still do not offer hyperthreading. The performance increase therefore only adds up to small architecture improvements and a slightly higher basic and turbo clock rate. This CPU is suitable for everyday office use, which does not require large coolers due to the low waste heat. But games are also among the application areas, because in games the Intel Core i5-9400F clearly beats the Intel Core i3-9100F. Here the six cores are paying off in the meantime. 

Graphics unit

The Intel Core i5-9400F is a processor without integrated graphics unit. If you value an iGPU, you should take a closer look at the Intel Core i5-9400, as it offers the entry level Intel UHD Graphics 630.

Power consumption

Intel puts the Thermal Design Power (TDP) at 65 watts. This means there is no need for large cooling systems, which also allows installation in very compact housings.

ModelIntel Core i9-9900KSIntel Core i9-9900KIntel Core i5-9400F
SeriesIntel Coffee LakeIntel Coffee LakeIntel Coffee Lake
CodenameCoffee Lake-RCoffee Lake-RCoffee Lake-R
Series: Coffee Lake Coffee Lake-R
Intel Core i9-9900KS « 4 - 5 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9900K3.6 - 5 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i7-9700K3.6 - 4.9 GHz8 / 8 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-97003 - 4.7 GHz8 / 8 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9600K3.7 - 4.6 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9900T2.1 - 4.4 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9400F2.9 - 4.1 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i3-9100F3.6 - 4.2 GHz4 / 4 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9900KS4 - 5 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9900K « 3.6 - 5 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i7-9700K3.6 - 4.9 GHz8 / 8 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-97003 - 4.7 GHz8 / 8 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9600K3.7 - 4.6 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9900T2.1 - 4.4 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9400F2.9 - 4.1 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i3-9100F3.6 - 4.2 GHz4 / 4 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9900KS4 - 5 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9900K3.6 - 5 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i7-9700K3.6 - 4.9 GHz8 / 8 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-97003 - 4.7 GHz8 / 8 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9600K3.7 - 4.6 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9900T2.1 - 4.4 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9400F « 2.9 - 4.1 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i3-9100F3.6 - 4.2 GHz4 / 4 cores6 MB L3
Clock4000 - 5000 MHz3600 - 5000 MHz2900 - 4100 MHz
L1 Cache512 KB512 KB384 KB
L2 Cache2 MB2 MB1.5 MB
L3 Cache16 MB16 MB9 MB
Cores / Threads8 / 168 / 166 / 6
TDP127 Watt95 Watt65 Watt
14 nm14++ nm14 nm, 100
Die Size178 mm2178 mm2149 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C
SocketFCLGA1151FCLGA1151LGA 1151-2
FeaturesDual-Channel DDR4-2666 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, AES-NI, TSX-NI, Quick Sync, Virtualization, vProDual-Channel DDR4-2666 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, AES-NI, TSX-NI, Quick Sync, Virtualization, vProDual-Channel DDR4-2666 Memory Controller, AVX, AVX2, AES-NI, TSX, Quick Sync, Virtualization
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 630 (350 - 1200 MHz)Intel UHD Graphics 630 (350 - 1200 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$513 U.S.$488 U.S.$182 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerwww.intel.dewww.intel.de

Benchmarks

Performance Rating - CB R15 + R20 + 7-Zip + X265 + Blender + 3DM11 CPU - i9-9900KS
38.4 pt (53%)
Performance Rating - CB R15 + R20 + 7-Zip + X265 + Blender + 3DM11 CPU - i9-9900K
37.2 pt (52%)
Performance Rating - CB R15 + R20 + 7-Zip + X265 + Blender + 3DM11 CPU - i5-9400F
30.9 pt (43%)
Cinebench R23 - Cinebench R23 Multi Core
12397 Points (12%)
Cinebench R23 - Cinebench R23 Single Core
1280 Points (54%)
Cinebench R20 - Cinebench R20 CPU (Single Core)
min: 509     avg: 512     median: 511.5 (57%)     max: 514 Points
min: 495     avg: 502     median: 502 (56%)     max: 509 Points
416 Points (46%)
Cinebench R20 - Cinebench R20 CPU (Multi Core)
min: 4463     avg: 4820     median: 4819.5 (12%)     max: 5176 Points
min: 4816     avg: 4871     median: 4871 (12%)     max: 4926 Points
2378 Points (6%)
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 1962     avg: 2058     median: 2058 (13%)     max: 2154 Points
min: 1623     avg: 1939     median: 1979 (12%)     max: 2040 Points
984 Points (6%)
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
min: 215     avg: 216     median: 216 (65%)     max: 217 Points
min: 203     avg: 210.6     median: 212 (64%)     max: 218 Points
173 Points (52%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 22.31     avg: 23.2     median: 23.1 (30%)     max: 23.98 Points
min: 17.37     avg: 20.7     median: 21.4 (28%)     max: 21.76 Points
11.3 Points (15%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
min: 2.43     avg: 2.4     median: 2.4 (61%)     max: 2.46 Points
min: 2.33     avg: 2.4     median: 2.4 (59%)     max: 2.44 Points
2 Points (49%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 8143     avg: 8183     median: 8183 (49%)     max: 8223 Points
min: 7786     avg: 7924     median: 7933 (48%)     max: 8042 Points
6490 Points (39%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 50462     avg: 51779     median: 51778.5 (38%)     max: 53095 Points
min: 36683     avg: 45846     median: 48778.5 (35%)     max: 49142 Points
31523 Points (23%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
69169 Points (48%)
min: 63009     avg: 63708     median: 63976 (44%)     max: 64138 Points
40065 Points (28%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
10759 Points (13%)
min: 10167     avg: 10218     median: 10192 (12%)     max: 10294 Points
8182 Points (10%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
min: 82     avg: 87.9     median: 87.9 (1%)     max: 93.8 s
min: 85.6     avg: 91.9     median: 91.3 (1%)     max: 98.7 s
198.7 s (2%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
min: 3.232     avg: 3.6     median: 3.6 (1%)     max: 3.969 s
min: 3.276     avg: 4     median: 3.6 (1%)     max: 5.203 s
6.8 s (1%)
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
min: 8156     avg: 8353     median: 8353 (13%)     max: 8550 Points
min: 7315     avg: 7775     median: 7633 (12%)     max: 8518 Points
5794 Points (9%)
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Multli Thread 4 runs
min: 55064     avg: 55735     median: 55735 (32%)     max: 56406 MIPS
min: 43248     avg: 48207     median: 48207 (28%)     max: 53166 MIPS
25639 MIPS (15%)
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Single Thread 4 runs
min: 5674     avg: 5734     median: 5734 (69%)     max: 5794 MIPS
min: 5311     avg: 5411     median: 5410.5 (65%)     max: 5510 MIPS
4678 MIPS (56%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
min: 116     avg: 122.5     median: 122.5 (43%)     max: 129 fps
min: 90.9     avg: 110     median: 114.3 (40%)     max: 120.5 fps
64 fps (22%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
min: 276.2     avg: 278.9     median: 278.9 (64%)     max: 281.5 fps
min: 252.7     avg: 260.9     median: 260.5 (60%)     max: 270 fps
234 fps (54%)
HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2 - HWBOT x265 4k Preset
min: 15.31     avg: 16.3     median: 16.3 (29%)     max: 17.2 fps
min: 12.36     avg: 14.8     median: 15.8 (28%)     max: 16.3 fps
9.1 fps (16%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
1.2 GB/s (0%)
min: 0.8     avg: 1.1     median: 1.2 (0%)     max: 1.2 GB/s
0.5 GB/s (0%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
2.1 GB/s (36%)
min: 1.3     avg: 1.8     median: 1.9 (33%)     max: 2 GB/s
0.9 GB/s (15%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
min: 12.1     avg: 12.2     median: 12.2 (32%)     max: 12.2 GB/s
min: 7.8     avg: 10.4     median: 11.1 (29%)     max: 11.5 GB/s
5.2 GB/s (14%)
Blender - Blender 2.79 BMW27 CPU *
min: 205.1     avg: 224.6     median: 224.6 (2%)     max: 244 Seconds
min: 219.2     avg: 239.7     median: 223.8 (2%)     max: 276.1 Seconds
468.5 Seconds (3%)
R Benchmark 2.5 - R Benchmark 2.5 *
0.7 sec (14%)
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 14825     avg: 14884     median: 14883.5 (32%)     max: 14942 Points
min: 10312     avg: 13253     median: 14281.5 (30%)     max: 14409 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
min: 7.405     avg: 7.4     median: 7.4 (2%)     max: 7.436 s
min: 7.545     avg: 7.7     median: 7.7 (2%)     max: 7.823 s
9.3 s (2%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
min: 16.45     avg: 16.5     median: 16.5 (1%)     max: 16.59 s
min: 16.73     avg: 17     median: 16.9 (1%)     max: 17.25 s
20.8 s (1%)
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
min: 412.2     avg: 414.2     median: 414.2 (2%)     max: 416.1 s
min: 413.8     avg: 429.5     median: 432.2 (2%)     max: 440 s
499.8 s (2%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
min: 58733     avg: 65154     median: 65153.5 (57%)     max: 71574 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 18531     avg: 18914     median: 18694 (51%)     max: 19517 Points
min: 16598     avg: 17566     median: 17264 (47%)     max: 19169 Points
11185 Points (30%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
min: 75473     avg: 75482     median: 75482 (61%)     max: 75491 Points
min: 64697     avg: 67569     median: 67554.5 (55%)     max: 72059 Points
70546 Points (57%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Physics
min: 75946     avg: 76061     median: 76060.5 (62%)     max: 76175 Points
min: 67420     avg: 68874     median: 67813 (55%)     max: 72450 Points
70482 Points (57%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
min: 74085     avg: 75802     median: 75508 (64%)     max: 77813 Points
min: 67259     avg: 68959     median: 68173.5 (57%)     max: 72229 Points
72413 Points (61%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
min: 19068     avg: 19770     median: 20049 (51%)     max: 20193 Points
min: 16435     avg: 17955     median: 17969 (45%)     max: 18694 Points
8275 Points (21%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
min: 24327     avg: 25511     median: 26016 (46%)     max: 26191 Points
min: 21585     avg: 24141     median: 24497.5 (44%)     max: 25010 Points
12616 Points (22%)
3DMark - 3DMark Time Spy CPU
min: 11017     avg: 11358     median: 11375 (48%)     max: 11683 Points
min: 9413     avg: 10630     median: 10593 (45%)     max: 11298 Points
5777 Points (24%)
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.4 64 Bit Single-Core
1372 Points (58%)
1300 Points (55%)
1139 Points (48%)
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
9100 Points (16%)
8845 Points (16%)
5715 Points (10%)
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Single-Core
1132 Points (5%)
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
5698 Points (18%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Single-Core
6308 Points (63%)
min: 6014     avg: 6113     median: 6049 (60%)     max: 6339 Points
5347 Points (53%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
35586 Points (40%)
min: 26616     avg: 31703     median: 32981 (37%)     max: 34233 Points
21830 Points (24%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Single-Core
6313 Points (86%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
35932 Points (88%)
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
883 ms (1%)
min: 919     avg: 937     median: 924 (1%)     max: 968 ms
867 ms (1%)
Sunspider - Sunspider 1.0 Total Score *
71 ms (1%)
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
44538 Points (40%)
min: 38473     avg: 40081     median: 40081 (36%)     max: 41689 Points
WebXPRT 3 - WebXPRT 3 Score
211 Points (44%)
Power Consumption - Prime95 Power Consumption - external Monitor *
259.6 Watt (45%)
202 Watt (35%)
131.6 Watt (23%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Consumption - external Monitor *
min: 219.3     avg: 269.1     median: 292.7 (53%)     max: 295.4 Watt
203.2 Watt (37%)
122.5 Watt (22%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Efficiency - external Monitor
min: 7.29     avg: 8.1     median: 8.1 (6%)     max: 8.95 Points per Watt
10 Points per Watt (7%)
8 Points per Watt (6%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i9-9900KS → 100% n=37

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i9-9900K → 95% n=37

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i5-9400F → 72% n=37

- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation

v1.26
log 26. 03:35:02

#0 checking url part for id 11553 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 10442 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 12197 +0s ... 0s

#3 not redirecting to Ajax server +0s ... 0s

#4 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Thu, 25 Apr 2024 05:38:32 +0200 +0.001s ... 0.001s

#5 composed specs +0.034s ... 0.035s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.035s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 11553 +0.018s ... 0.053s

#8 got single benchmarks 11553 +0.016s ... 0.069s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 10442 +0.02s ... 0.089s

#10 got single benchmarks 10442 +0.057s ... 0.146s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 12197 +0.02s ... 0.166s

#12 got single benchmarks 12197 +0.009s ... 0.175s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.175s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.557s ... 0.732s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.732s

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Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)