Intel has named their processors really weirdly in the past, may it be the Broadwell desktop lineup or the more recent Core M (7th Gen Parts). Now Intel is releasing another processor under the 9th Generation branding which sounds like it's coming straight out of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Yes, this is the Core i9-9900KFC, which was recently detected in the latest version of AIDA64.
Intel Core i9-9900KFC Spotted By AIDA64 - 8 Cores, 16 Threads, No IGP But Is It Finger-Lickin' Good?
Intel's Core i9-9900KFC processor number was detected by AIDA64 and has been listed in the new version, Anandtech reports. There are no details mentioned aside from the codename, but there's a lot that the name itself reveals about this chip. First of all, the Core i9-9900KFC seems like a new variation of the Core i9-9900K. This processor would be the fourth variation of the Core i9-9900K which was introduced last year.
The Core i9-9900K featured 8 cores, 16 threads with base clock speeds of 3.6 GHz and boost clocks of up to 5.0 GHz. The chip featured 16 MB of L3 cache and Intel's UHD Graphics 630 IGP. The Core i9-9900K also rocked a 95W TDP and a price of $488 US.
Intel 9th Generation Core Family CPU Official Specifications:
| Processor Name | Process | Cores / Threads | Base Clock | Boost Clock | Cache | TDP | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i9-9900KS | 14nm++ | 8 / 16 | 3.6 GHz | 5.0 GHz (8 Cores) | 16 MB | 127W | $513 US |
| Core i9-9900K | 14nm++ | 8 / 16 | 3.6 GHz | 5.0 GHz | 16 MB | 95W | $488 US |
| Core i9-9900KF | 14nm++ | 8 / 16 | 3.6 GHz | 5.0 GHz | 16 MB | 95W | $488 US |
| Core i7-9700K | 14nm++ | 8 / 8 | 3.6 GHz | 4.9 GHz | 12 MB | 95W | $374 US |
| Core i7-9700KF | 14nm++ | 8 / 8 | 3.6 GHz | 4.9 GHz | 12 MB | 95W | $374 US |
| Core i5-9600K | 14nm++ | 6 / 6 | 3.7 GHz | 4.6 GHz | 9 MB | 95W | $262 US |
| Core i5-9600KF | 14nm++ | 6 / 6 | 3.7 GHz | 4.6 GHz | 9 MB | 95W | $262 US |
| Core i5-9600 | 14nm++ | 6 / 6 | 3.1 GHz | 4.5 GHz | 9 MB | 65W | TBD |
| Core i5-9500 | 14nm++ | 6 / 6 | 3.0 GHz | 4.3 GHz | 9 MB | 65W | TBD |
| Core i5-9400 | 14nm++ | 6 / 6 | 2.9 GHz | 4.1 GHz | 9 MB | 65W | $182 |
| Core i5-9400T | 14nm++ | 6 / 6 | 1.8 GHz | 3.4 GHz | 9 MB | 35W | TBD |
| Core i3-9350KF | 14nm++ | 4/4 | 4.0 GHz | 4.6 GHz | 8 MB | 91W | TBD |
| Core i3-9100 | 14nm++ | 4 / 4 | TBD | 4.2 GHz | 6 MB | 65W | TBD |
| Core i3-9000 | 14nm++ | 4 / 4 | 3.7 GHz | N/A | 6 MB | 65W | TBD |
| Core i3-9000T | 14nm++ | 4 / 4 | 3.2 GHz | N/A | 6 MB | 35W | TBD |
The Core i9-9900KF was its first revision that was publicly confirmed by Intel at CES 2019 when they announced the launch of their new 9th Gen Core processors in addition to the existing ones that launched last year. The Core i9-9900KF was the same chip as the Core i9-9900K but lacked integrated graphics. Intel also introduced other KF models which were based around unlocked parts, but didn't feature the IGP. The most recent variation was the Core i9-9900T which is a low power part based around the same core config as the Core i9-9900K but featuring much lower clock speeds of 1.7 GHz base and 3.8 GHz boost. The chip, however, does rock an IGP for graphics support.
Now coming to the new part, it is a "K" series part which means it will be unlocked to support overclocking. It is also an "F" series part which means it will lack integrated graphics support. What's confusing about this processor is the "C" suffix at the end which if we go back to the Broadwell era, meant that it rocks an eDRAM cache to supplement the higher-end Iris Pro integrated graphics. If the processor features Iris Pro graphics or similar onboard, then the "F" suffix doesn't hold true. However, the "C" suffix could be added if Intel is using an eDRAM.
The eDRAM could act as a buffer between the L3 cache and the CPU rather than acting as an L4 cache. This may improve performance but the overall extent is currently unknown. This is just a theory though and the Intel Core i9-9900KFC may end up as an entirely different chip. It may even be a specially promoted Core i9-9900K with a bucket of fried chicken for all we know so it's better to wait for a confirmation/word from Intel on this product.
