Retailer photo of Intel Core i9-9900K. View this offer in Where to buy
Intel · CPU
Intel Core i9-9900K
The current Intel Core i9-9900K price from retailers, its key specifications, and how it performs for each job.
Trade-offs: you want strong value with Balanced priorities specifically
- Cores / threads
- 8C / 16T
- Boost clock
- 5000 MHz
- Socket
- LGA 1151
- TDP
- 119 W
- Memory support
- DDR4
Move a slider and the page re-scores this product against the same market frame.
What does it cost today, and is that a good price?
Market confidence: LowAt $259 the Intel Core i9-9900K is priced in line with its $259 representative market level. Only one retailer currently backs that price, so the level is a single data point rather than a market.
Limited market: only one retailer currently has a verified offer, so treat this price as a single data point.
Prices & availability
Intel Core i9-9900K: current price and offers
Compare the offers we track for this model, across variants and retailers.
1 tracked offers · 1 retailers
| Variant | Store | Condition | Price (snapshot) | Value · Balanced | Checked | Offer link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i9-9900K | Newegg | New | $259 | 27 | 2026-10-16 | View offer → |
| Intel Core i9-9900KMultiple variants available | Amazon Affiliate | Varies | Find on Amazon | Not tracked | No price snapshot | Find on Amazon → |
Prices are dated snapshots, not live quotes — confirm the final price at the store. New, refurbished and used offers are listed separately; used offers carry warranty and seller risk.
Performance and where it ranks
Two different questions, side by side. Performance compares what the hardware can do; Value compares what that capability costs at today’s price. A product can rank high on one and low on the other — that gap is the point.
Performance Balanced
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#157 of 264 graded processors
- #154 IntelIntel Core i7-10700KF 11
- #155 IntelIntel Core i7-9800X 11
- #156 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 3600X 11
- #157 IntelIntel Core i9-9900K 11
- #158 IntelIntel Core i9-9900KF 11
- #159 IntelIntel Core i5-11600 11
- #160 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 3600 10
Value Balanced
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#187 of 264 currently priced processors
- #184 IntelIntel Core i9-7940X 27
- #185 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X 27
- #186 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 2700 27
- #187 IntelIntel Core i9-9900K 27
- #188 IntelIntel Core i7-4790K 27
- #189 IntelIntel Core i5-9600 27
- #190 IntelIntel Core i9-9900X 26
Performance Gaming
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#152 of 264 graded processors
- #149 IntelIntel Core i7-10700KF 57
- #150 IntelIntel Core i9-9900KF 57
- #151 IntelIntel Core i7-10700K 57
- #152 IntelIntel Core i9-9900K 57
- #153 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 5500GT 57
- #154 IntelIntel Core i9-10980XE 57
- #155 IntelIntel Core i9-10900X 57
Value Gaming
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#169 of 264 currently priced processors
- #166 IntelIntel Core i9-10980XE 24
- #167 IntelIntel Core i5-9400 23
- #168 IntelIntel Core i5-9600 23
- #169 IntelIntel Core i9-9900K 23
- #170 IntelIntel Core i7-9800X 22
- #171 AMDAMD Ryzen 3 2200G 21
- #172 IntelIntel Core i3-8100 21
Performance Productivity
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#157 of 264 graded processors
- #154 IntelIntel Core i7-10700KF 11
- #155 IntelIntel Core i7-9800X 11
- #156 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 3600X 11
- #157 IntelIntel Core i9-9900K 11
- #158 IntelIntel Core i9-9900KF 11
- #159 IntelIntel Core i5-11600 11
- #160 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 3600 10
Value Productivity
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#156 of 264 currently priced processors
- #153 IntelIntel Core i5-10600KF 4
- #154 IntelIntel Core i3-12100 4
- #155 IntelIntel Core i7-9800X 4
- #156 IntelIntel Core i9-9900K 4
- #157 IntelIntel Core i7-9700 4
- #158 IntelIntel Core i9-7900X 4
- #159 IntelIntel Core i5-10400F 4
Performance Performance per Watt
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#125 of 264 graded processors
- #122 IntelIntel Core i5-13400 29
- #123 IntelIntel Core i5-12400 29
- #124 IntelIntel Core i3-13100 29
- #125 IntelIntel Core i9-9900K 28
- #126 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 2600 27
- #127 IntelIntel Core i9-11900 27
- #128 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 3600XT 27
Value Performance per Watt
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#143 of 264 currently priced processors
- #140 IntelIntel Core i7-10700 20
- #141 IntelIntel Core i7-9700KF 20
- #142 IntelIntel Core i5-10400 19
- #143 IntelIntel Core i9-9900K 19
- #144 AMDAMD Ryzen 3 3200G 19
- #145 IntelIntel Core i5-10600 19
- #146 IntelIntel Core i3-10105F 18
These ladders follow the preset scenario shown above. Your own weights re-score this product, not the whole field.
What it is good for
| Scenario | this productCapability grade · Value at current price | Higher capability | Higher Value with current priorities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced (all-round)Weighted all-round view | GradeNo grade Value27 | Higher capability Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus 96 +190% capability · -15% price | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus 100 +167% capability · -23% price |
| GamingScenario capability | GradeB Value23 | Higher capability AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D A 80 +42% capability · +15% price | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus A 89 +28% capability · -23% price |
| ProductivityScenario capability | GradeD Value4 | Higher capability Higher capability · Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus A 41 +190% capability · -15% price | |
| Performance per WattScenario capability | GradeD Value19 | Higher capability Higher capability · Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 7 9700X S 100 +174% capability · -3% price | |
Balanced has no letter: it is a weighting preset, not a capability rubric. A grade answers “how well does this handle that job?” — price is never part of it. Relative Value puts the current market price back in.
Compare these grades with the full tier list
Browse shortlists for different uses
Trade-offs
Works well if
- Gaming is your main prioritygraded B for Gaming on the same rubric as the tier list
Consider other options if
- You want strong value with Balanced priorities specificallycompeting products deliver so much more per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus holds Relative Value 100 against its 27 with Balanced priorities, at $200
- Productivity is what you actually need it forit grades only D there
Works well if
- Gaming is your main prioritygraded B for Gaming on the same rubric as the tier list
Consider other options if
- You want strong value for Gaming specificallycompeting products deliver so much more for Gaming per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus holds Relative Value 89 against its 23 for Gaming, at $200
- Productivity is what you actually need it forit grades only D there
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Works well if
- Productivity is not actually your main job — Gaming isit grades D for Productivity, but B for Gaming
Consider other options if
- Productivity is what you actually need it forit grades D there; Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus grades A at $220
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus holds Relative Value 41 against its 4 for Productivity, at $220
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Works well if
- Performance per Watt is not actually your main job — Gaming isit grades D for Performance per Watt, but B for Gaming
Consider other options if
- Performance per Watt is what you actually need it forit grades D there; AMD Ryzen 7 9700X grades S at $250
- You want strong value for Performance per Watt specificallycompeting products deliver so much more for Performance per Watt per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelAMD Ryzen 7 9700X holds Relative Value 100 against its 19 for Performance per Watt, at $250
Models that suit Performance per Watt better, at this budget
Every line states the fact it was derived from, for the scenario selected above. Thresholds are calculated points on our value curve — information about where the maths turns, not instructions about what to pay.
Similar options to the Intel Core i9-9900K
Chosen for Balanced
Chosen for Gaming
Chosen for Productivity
Chosen for Performance per Watt
Alternatives stay near this product’s price range. Step-up options may exceed the standard budget envelope when the capability gain is meaningful.
More head-to-head comparisons in this category
Upgrade planner
Judge the change in the active scenario, then make the cash gap explicit.
Using page scenarioWhat are you upgrading from? These are the axes we compare on, and where this product stands in the current market.
We rank upgrades by out-of-pocket cost — the new price minus what yours is worth — not by sticker price.
Only candidates that clear the configured meaningful-upgrade gate will be shown; roles are omitted rather than filled.
Capability differences are expressed as tiers and index points, not as benchmark percentages we did not measure.
Specifications and compatibility
What this product is, and what to check before it goes into your build.
Core / Performance
- Cores
- 8
- Threads
- 16
- Performance cores
- 8
- Efficiency cores
- 0
- Base clock
- 3600 MHz
- Boost clock
- 5000 MHz
Power / Interface
- TDP
- 119 W
- Maximum turbo power
- 119 W
- Socket
- LGA 1151
- Memory support
- DDR4
- Maximum memory
- 128 GB
- Integrated graphics
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
- Process node
- 14 nm
Show all specifications
Core / Performance
- L2 cache
- 2 MB
- L3 cache
- 16 MB
- Unlocked multiplier
- Yes
Warranty & release
- Warranty
- 3 years
- Release year
- 2018
- Manufacturer part number
- BX80684I99900K
Hover any value to see where it came from: a manufacturer specification, or a figure The Comparator calculated.
Sources: Comparator offer frame 2026-10-10–2026-10-17
What to check in your build
LGA 1151 required
Your motherboard must use socket LGA 1151. A different socket does not fit — this is a physical constraint, not a preference.
Board BIOS must list this model
A matching socket is necessary but not sufficient — check the vendor CPU support list.
DDR4 memory
This processor takes DDR4. Memory of another generation does not fit the slots, even on a board with the right socket.
Cooler rated for 119 W or more
No cooler is included. Your cooler must be rated for at least 119 W on socket LGA 1151.
Found an error? Report this specification Email the field, corrected value and an optional source.
Compatibility guidance is practical help, not a score. Missing data is shown as unknown, never invented.
Summary
Intel Core i9-9900K offers a balanced view across an all-round mix of priorities. It ranks #157 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 508. Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Intel Core i9-9900K offers B-grade capability for Gaming. It ranks #152 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 508. Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Intel Core i9-9900K offers D-grade capability for Productivity. It ranks #157 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 508. The D grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
Intel Core i9-9900K offers D-grade capability for Performance per Watt. It ranks #125 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 508. The D grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
FAQ
Why does Relative Value change when I choose another scenario?
Each scenario changes the weights applied to capability, price and the other published factors. The hardware facts stay fixed, but the value question changes, so its score and rank can change too.
Why can Amazon appear without a tracked price?
Amazon is shown as a discovery link when we do not have a permitted verified price snapshot. It is excluded from price comparisons, rankings and Relative Value until a compliant tracked price exists.
Useful links & sources
offer frame 2026-10-10–2026-10-17 · formula cpu-value-v1.4 · facts facts-2026-10-17 · Relative Value is an estimate from our current dataset, the selected weights and dated market prices — not an official product rating and not a price forecast. Target prices are calculation thresholds, not predictions. Methodology We are not a shop. Affiliate links may earn us a commission; they never change the calculations or the ranking.