Intel’s Core i9-9900KF Listed in the USA: $582

B&H Photo and Video, a large retail chain from the USA, has started to list Intel’s Core i9-9900KF processor. The CPU is yet to become available, but since B&H is (as far as we can tell) the only company in the country to offer the product so far, it charges a hefty premium. In fact, the listing for the Core i9-9900KF without integreated graphics has a price more than that of the Core i9-9900K with integrated graphics which is in stock.

The Core i9-9900KF has eight Hyper-Threaded cores that operate at 3.6-5.0 GHz, is equipped with a 16 MB L3 cache, features a dual-channel DDR4-2666 memory controller, and is rated for a 95 W TDP. The CPU features an unlocked multiplier and is aimed at enthusiasts who do not need integrated graphics as they use discrete graphics. The processor was released mainly becase it enables Intel to meet demand for its eight-core CPUs for mainstream platform. Officially, Intel’s Core i9-9900K and Core i9-9900KF processors cost $488 in 1000-unit quantities, but their retail prices vary greatly.

B&H offers to pre-order the Core i9-9900KF for $582.50, whereas the Core i9-9900K is actually available for $530, or for $52.50 less. Possibly because the number of Core i9-9900KF processors that B&H had managed to procure is limited, the company is selling them at a premium even though they lack a useful feature. Either that, or this is a place holder price.

Earlier in January Intel added six more CPUs to its 9^th Gen Core lineup: the eight-core Core i9-9900KF and Core i7-9700KF; the six-core Core i5-9600KF and Core i5-9400F; as well as the quad-core Core i3-9350KF. According to Intel’s current terminology, the processors with model numbers ending with F lack integrated graphics, so these new CPUs will mainly target PCs that have to use discrete graphics. 

The i9-9900K Packaging

Other retailers are also starting to list the F processors. In the UK, Scan is offering the 9900KF in retail packaging for £510 at pre-order (compared to the 9900K at £500), as well as the Core i5-9400F at £190 listed as in stock.

Related Reading

• Intel’s Graphics-Free Chips Are Also Savings-Free: Same Price, Fewer Features
• Intel’s New 9th Gen Desktop CPUs: i3-9350KF, i5-9400F, i5-9400, i5-9600KF, i7-9700KF, i9-9900KF
• More Intel 9th Gen Desktop CPUs: Core i7-9700, Core i3-9100, Pentium Gold G5420, and a new Core i3-8100F ?
• Unannounced Intel Core i9-9900KF, i7-9700KF, i5-9600KF and i5-9400F CPUs Listed
• Intel’s Core i5-9400F Hits Amazon
• The Intel 9th Gen Review: Core i9-9900K, Core i7-9700K and Core i5-9600K Tested
• Analyzing Core i9-9900K Performance with Spectre and Meltdown Hardware Mitigations
• Intel Announces 9th Gen Core CPUs: Core i9-9900K (8-Core), i7-9700K, & i5-9600K
• Intel Coffee Lake Refresh: Global Price Check on 9900K, 9700K, 9600K

Source: B&H