Intel Core i9 Processors (12 products)

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Intel Core i9 Processors - What You Need to Know

In 2021 with 12th-Gen Intel Core, Intel transitioned from a monolithic to a hybrid CPU architecture comprised of a mix of little Efficient-cores (E-cores) and big Performance-cores (P-cores), and this increased their processors' core counts massively.

The 8-core/16-thread Intel Core i9 11900K made way for the 16-core/24-thread Intel Core i9 12900K, and now there's even 24-core/32-thread Intel Core i9 processors, like the Intel Core i9 14900K. Out of all these cores, however, 8 of them are P-cores, while the rest are E-cores.

When it comes to overall CPU performance, it's the P-cores which matter most, hence their name. E-cores can come in handy in certain workloads, but they're more designed for handling your PC's background processes, thereby allowing the P-cores to focus solely on the main task at hand.

So, don't get too fixated on the sheer number of total cores. Rather, look at the P-cores when comparing Intel Core i9 processors to the rest of Intel's ranges. When you do, you'll see that same-generation Intel Core i7 and Intel Core i9 processors boast the same number of P-cores - what gives?

Cores aren't the only thing you should be looking for, either. Compared to Intel Core i7s, Intel Core i9 processors boast expanded cache sizes (important for gaming) as well as higher out-of-the-box frequencies, resulting in a faster, smoother, and overall better computing experience.

Why Should I Buy an Intel Core i9 Processor?

As detailed on their respective pages, Intel Core i5 processors usually represent the price-to-performance sweet spot of Intel's range, while an Intel Core i7's extra couple of P-cores give you the headroom to push higher-than-60 FPS in CPU-heavy games while live-streaming.

So, if an Intel Core i5 is powerful enough for gaming for most people, and an Intel Core i7 can handle gaming, streaming, and content creation, then who and what exactly is an Intel Core i9 processor for? Put simply, it's for those who are after the best-of-the-best in CPU performance, no matter the cost. And when we say "cost", we're not just talking about the price tag of an Intel Core i9 processor. Power and thermal considerations go out of the window, too.

If you're in the market for an energy-efficient processor, an Intel Core i9 is not it. Right out of the box, the Intel Core i9 14900K can reach a max turbo frequency of 6GHz - that's eye-wateringly fast. But to achieve this kind of performance, the processor has a default power limit of 253W. Combine this with an ultra-high-end graphics card and you're going to have a power-hungry - and hot - system on your hands. A hefty aftermarket CPU cooler will be needed to keep an Intel Core i9 processor's temperature in check. But whether it's for gaming or content creation, the performance of an Intel Core i9-powered PC will be out of this world. These are truly no-compromise processors.

Intel Core i9 Processors at Ebuyer

Here at Ebuyer, we stock a number of Intel Core i9 processors from across several generations, as well as compatible Intel motherboards. If you want your new Intel Core i9 processor by tomorrow, next-day delivery is available. We also offer finance packages for added flexibility. And don't forget the Ebuyer Price Match Promise - we won't be beaten on price.