During Intel’s October 8 keynote presentation, where we finally saw the reveal of Intel’s 9th Gen processors, we were also treated to a first look at the upcoming Intel X-Series range.
Aimed at professional creatives rather than mainstream consumers, i7, i9 and i9 Extreme models of the X-Series could all be available to purchase as early as November 2018. We’ll keep you updated once we find out the exact release date.
Prices start at $598, with the top-end version costing a hefty $1979. Intel has yet to release any information on UK prices.
Related: Intel 9th Gen CPU
The X-Series offers various options for numbers of cores, ranging from eight to a whopping 18. Clock speeds can be maxed out an impressive 4.5Mhz, offering super speeds for video rendering. This is thanks to Intel’s Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0, which optimises performance by identifying and utilising your processor’s fastest two cores. The full breakdown of options is shown below:
| Base clock speed (GHz) | Intel Turbo Boost Technology 3.0 Frequency (GHz) | Cores/Threads | Price (USD) | |
| i9-9980XE X-series | 3.0 | 4.5 | 18/36 | $1979 |
| i9-9960X X-Series |
3.1 | 4.5 | 16/32 | $1684 |
| i9-9940X X-Series |
3.3 | 4.5 | 14/28 | $1387 |
| i9-9920X X-Series |
3.5 | 4.5 | 12/24 | $1189 |
| i9-9900X X-Series |
3.5 | 4.5 | 10/20 | $989 |
| i9-9820X X-Series |
3.3 | 4.2 | 10/20 | $889 |
| i7-9800X X-Series |
3.8 | 4.5 | 8/16 | $589 |
Overclocking is also possible, with Solder Thermal Interface Material boosting performances in this regard.
With 4-channel DDR4 memory support, you’ll be able to ensure these ultra-fast speeds tick along accordingly. Intel Optane SSD is also supported here.
Related: Best Intel processors
Intel demonstrated on stage how the improved performance of the new X-Series range helped video game developers render scenes at a dramatically better speeds.
Not one to brag, Intel also showed off statistics illustrating how the Intel Core i9-9980XE compared to its rival, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX. Intel claimed its upcoming CPU offers a 108% improvement for video editing in Adobe’s Premiere Pro compared to its AMD rival, and 13% faster game-build times with Unreal Engine.
The Intel X-Series CPUs were unveiled at Intel’s New York showcase. The 9th Gen Intel CPUs and the ultra-powerful Intel Xeon processor were also revealed.
How impressed are you by the Intel X-Series? Let us know @TrustedReviews
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
