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Intel Debuts 9th-Gen Core Chips, Including Core i9 and X-Series Parts, With a Few Twists (pcworld.com)
Intel unveiled its 9th-generation Core desktop chips, with the notable omission of a key feature: Hyper-Threading, at least on all but the most exclusive Core i9-9900K for mainstream PCs. Hyper-Threading has also been reserved for a new iteration of Intel's X-series processors, which includes up to 18 cores and 36 threads. From a report: In a livestream Monday morning from its Fall Launch Event in New York, the company announced just a single Core i9 chip, the $488 Core i9-9900K. Later, the company privately revealed two others in the Core i7 and Core i5 families. Intel also announced a new series of X-class chips, ranging from 8 cores and 16 threads through 18 cores and 36 threads. Prices will range from $589 to $1,979.
It's certainly fair to say that Intel surprised us all with the unexpected shift of its upcoming 28-core chip to the Xeon family, as well as the announcement of the X-series chips, too. And what's the deal with hyperthreading? Intel's announcement certainly adds some new topics to talk about in the months ahead. Part of the confusion was due to what Intel was expected to announce: a family of new 9th-gen chips, from Core i3s up through the Core i9, and how it did so. On the publicly available livestream, the company revealed only the presence of the Core i9-9900K, as well as the presence of the new X-series parts. Later, after the livestream had concluded, Intel fleshed out the remaining members of the K-series parts, and disclosed the price and performance of the X-series parts.
However, Intel didn't even mention what many enthusiasts wanted to know: why only the i9-9900K, out of all of Intel's mainstream parts, boasts the Hyper-Threading feature. Further reading: Intel claims best gaming processor with 9th Gen Core unveiling.
It's certainly fair to say that Intel surprised us all with the unexpected shift of its upcoming 28-core chip to the Xeon family, as well as the announcement of the X-series chips, too. And what's the deal with hyperthreading? Intel's announcement certainly adds some new topics to talk about in the months ahead. Part of the confusion was due to what Intel was expected to announce: a family of new 9th-gen chips, from Core i3s up through the Core i9, and how it did so. On the publicly available livestream, the company revealed only the presence of the Core i9-9900K, as well as the presence of the new X-series parts. Later, after the livestream had concluded, Intel fleshed out the remaining members of the K-series parts, and disclosed the price and performance of the X-series parts.
However, Intel didn't even mention what many enthusiasts wanted to know: why only the i9-9900K, out of all of Intel's mainstream parts, boasts the Hyper-Threading feature. Further reading: Intel claims best gaming processor with 9th Gen Core unveiling.
I'm not buying unless it's overpriced, has both Spectre and Meltdown flaws, and the built-in Intel Management Engine backdoor.
These are the features I demand as an Intel fanboy who pays more for less so I can merit putting the Intel Inside sticker on my desktop case for all to see.
Your gut is wrong and no doubt influenced by marketing and shilling from Intel.
You can buy a Meltdown invulnerable CPU from AMD *today*. These new CPUs from Intel are still vulnerable and it will be years before they sell one that isn't.
Go AMD.
More to the point, which current offering is the i7 2600K of years past (not too expensive and overclocks like crazy?)
Amusingly enough, it's probably the 2nd-gen Ryzen5 2600X.
The 9900K still has it because some people value speed over security.
Lots of people value speed over security. This is why some people buy motorcycles over Volvos. Or keycards over keys. It is often a valid choice. It is also why the Specter and meltdown mitigations are switchable in Linux. I have turned them off on some internal servers where security is less important. That can also save heat waste and power. Absolutes are often a bad thing...