Intel is bringing a special Core i9 processor onto the market: The speed devil achieves clock speeds of 6.2 GHz straight out of the box.

Intel is launching a new super-fast processor: the Intel Core i9-14900KS. This chip has 24 computing cores, including eight P-cores and sixteen E-cores. Intel has a record-breaking clock speed of 6.2 GHz. No other desktop processor on the market has a higher frequency. This chip is therefore very powerful, although there are a number of caveats.

Side notes

For starters, 6.2 GHz is the maximum thermal Speed ​​Turbo Boost Frequency. In other words: only one core can operate at 6.2 GHz. A handful of others still hit a solid 5.9GHz. The guaranteed maximum Turbo clock speed is 5.7 GHz. The chip cannot maintain such a boost frequency permanently. How long the Core i9-14900KS can deliver peak performance depends on the cooling system. The standard frequency of the P cores is 3.2 GHz: This rather average speed can be maintained permanently.

Still, this chip is a great effort from Intel, especially knowing that the CPU is based on Intel 7 technology and Raptor Lake and not the very latest Intel 4-node Meteor Lake and the Core Ultra. Ironically, the “Ultra” portion of Intel’s lineup is not a Core Ultra processor.

The CPU has a base TDP of 150 watts but can go up to 253 watts for peak performance. In total, Intel provides an additional 32 MB L2 cache and 36 MB Smart Cache.

Not a universal performance champion

In a well-cooled system where the clock frequency of a core has a direct influence on the workload, the Core i9-14900KS can undoubtedly show its strengths. However, the number of 6.2 GHz does not say everything. For example, AMD doesn’t have a chip in its range that can run that fast, but its competitor does offer processors with more equivalent P cores that can run at a higher clock speed. Imagine an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X that has 16 cores, all multithreading, and a base clock speed of 4.5GHz. This is significantly higher than the 3.2 GHz base frequency of the Intel Core i9. Depending on the load, AMD also offers a faster chip.

Intel is primarily aiming for high values ​​and peak performance for gamers where the speed of a single thread can add value. If you have more professional uses in mind, such as editing images and animations, you are better off with more multi-threaded cores at a higher base frequency like in the AMD portfolio.