Is the Intel Core i9 11900K the Ultimate Processor Choice?

Processors are always upgrading and improving, but one processor brand that remains at the top of the competition is Intel. Is one of their latest, the Intel Core i9-11900k, the ultimate processor choice? Today we’ll take a closer look at the Intel Core i9-11900k and see if it lives up to the hype.

The Intel Core i9-11900k Processor Up Close

The Intel Core i9-11900k processor is the 11th generation update on Intel’s previous 10900k processor. This update is a relatively small improvement compared to the previous generation’s, but it’s still improving processing power.

Like many modern processors, it will be difficult to push it past or beyond its limits. However, that doesn’t mean it won’t work hard to maintain graphical excellence and processing speed.

The i9-11900k has an 8-core, 16-thread design, which is two cores less than the 10900k. Those two cores have gone to help push the boundaries of performance with increased frequency tuning for gaming. Using Intel’s proprietary UHD Graphics with Xe architecture has powerful graphical capabilities to create immersive visual experiences.

Chipset and Features

Similar to other desktop platforms released since 2015’s Skylake, the Intel Core i9-11900K is based on the Rocket Lake-S architecture. Unlike previous iterations like Comet Lake, Kaby Lake, and Coffee Lake, this isn’t just a repeat of Skylake’s success.

Intel has taken the core design of Ice Lake’s 10nm processors, primarily found in laptops, and backported to the 14nm manufacturing process. Intel claims this lets it push clock speeds higher than its 10nm process would allow, which is great for gaming.

However, after being combined with the Intel Xe graphics, this makes for less room on the chip for CPU cores. This is why the 11900k has eight cores compared to the 10900k’s ten cores. This enables the 11900k to push clock speeds slightly higher, up to 5.3 GHz, on a single core. It also allows a 19% boost in Instruction per Cycle (IPC) performance.

One of Intel’s greatest strengths compared to the competition comes when trying to overclock the processor. Intel has Performance Maximizer and their Extreme Tuning Utility (or XTU,) which make overclocking that much easier to achieve.

As with any instance of overclocking a processor, this can lead to increased power consumption and temperatures. If you’re considering regularly overclocking the Intel i9-11900k, we’d also recommend a robust cooler to go with it. Also, with any instance of overclocking, it typically voids the device’s warranty, so do it at your own discretion.

The Intel i9-11900k and Gaming

One of the best ways to see a processor working at its fullest capacity is while gaming. Most modern processors can handle any day-to-day activities without showing any significant strain. Video games, with their increasing graphical needs and need for these to be processed quickly, test these limits better.

In the 3DMark Time Spy test, the Intel Core i9-11900K had a CPU score of 13,301. Compared to its closest competition, the Ryzen 9 5900X, the i9-11900K showed a nearly 9% boost in performance.

For most casual gamers (especially for less graphically intense games), this difference may be minor. However, for FPS and similar games where split-second timing is the difference between victory and defeat, this edge is vital.

This difference is even greater when compared to older processors. Compared to the i9-10900K in a similar test, the 11900K performed about 7% faster. These kinds of performance standards could be even further improved for those interested in overclocking their processor as well.

Make The Ultimate Processor Choice with Rackfinity

The Intel Core i9 11900k is the ultimate processor choice to supercharge your computer in and out of the office. The ultimate choice for outfitting your supercharged machine for both power and price is chosen at Rackfinity.

Take a closer look at this 11th generation i9 11900k 8-core 3-50 gigahertz processor retail pack available from Rackfinity. It can turn your machine into the ultimate gaming hardware and more. Whether you’re looking for the ultimate processor or just the best one for your machine’s needs, Rackfinity’s here to help.