If you intend to assemble a powerful desktop computer, most people will probably consider choosing the most modern processor today, the 13th generation Intel Core i9. But along with its powerful performance, its price is also extremely expensive, besides there are many things to consider when choosing Intel's latest CPU.
So, do users really need to invest in an Intel Core i9? Here are some reasons to stop thinking about using an Intel Core i9 processor.
13th Gen Intel Core i5 and i7 CPUs Are Powerful Enough
Most users will find that an Intel Core i3 CPU is more than enough for their needs, but you'll want something more powerful if you're a content creator or gamer. That doesn't mean you have to spend money on an Intel Core i9, though.
Intel’s latest 13th-generation processors are already powerful, with even the mid-range Core i5s being more than enough for most tasks these days. For heavier workloads like gaming and streaming, the Intel Core i7s are still up to the task.
13th Gen Intel Core i5 and i7 CPUs are still powerful enough to handle work
The top-end Intel Core i9 is typically used by professionals who do extremely heavy workloads. Whether it’s simulating millions of wind particles in aircraft design or rendering hours of 8K video, the Intel Core i9 is the perfect tool for that need.
But if you don't handle specific tasks that require super-powerful processing performance, the potential of the Core i9 CPU will definitely be wasted. Just like using a supercar to travel daily on a crowded city road, you will not be able to comfortably step on the gas pedal to enjoy the speed and power from the engine.
Do you really need more CPU cores?
The Intel Core i9 boasts a whopping 24 cores - 8 P cores and 16 E cores. Meanwhile, the Core i7 has 8 P cores and 8 E cores, and the i5 has only 6 P cores and 4 E cores. It can be seen that the Core i9 CPU is far more powerful than its siblings.
But do you really need that many cores? If you’re a gamer, you probably already know that games don’t use many CPU cores. This is evidenced by looking at the five most popular games on Steam right now:
- CS:GO: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 or AMD Phenom X3 8750.
- Apex Legends: Ryzen 5 CPU or equivalent.
- The Elder Scrolls Online: Intel Core i5 2300 or AMD FX4350.
- Resident Evil 4: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel Core i7 8700.
- Destiny 2: Intel Core i5 2400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X.
Based on the specifications of the processors mentioned above, the highest core count recorded belongs to the Intel Core i7 8700 and Ryzen 5 3600, with each processing cluster having 6 cores. So just using the 13th generation Intel Core i5, you will get at least 10 cores, which is more than enough for most games today.
Don't really need a CPU with too many cores
And even if the computer is used for other tasks, such as photo and video editing, the Intel Core i7's 16 cores are more than enough for that need.
Intel Core i9 gets extremely hot and is difficult to cool
Almost all CPUs have a thermal throttling feature to prevent damage from overheating. However, when the CPU is throttling, it will not run at its highest clock speed and the user will not get the highest performance.
The 13th-generation Intel Core i9 is incredibly powerful. While its base power draw is just 150 watts, it can go up to over 250 watts at full load. This would strain any air-cooled system, so much so that Intel doesn’t include a standard fan for this processor.
Intel Core i9 gets very hot and hard to cool
To get the most out of the latest CPUs, you’ll need to use a liquid cooling system instead of an air cooler. However, even experienced PC component makers like Linus Tech Tips have revealed that it’s nearly impossible to cool the 13th Gen Intel Core i9 with a standard cooler unless you invest in a specialized and complex custom system. This will also void the CPU’s warranty from Intel.
Don't focus too much on CPU
When building a PC, don't focus too much on a single component. Instead, consider the entire PC. For example, if you're using the most powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card today, you can't pair it with a 10-year-old Intel Core i3. Nor can you plug in the latest DDR5-6000 RAM without checking to see if your motherboard supports it.
Besides the CPU, you still need to pay attention to other components in the computer.
The same goes for processors. If you’re running a 13th-generation Intel Core i9, check to see if your cooling system supports it. You also need to consider whether your RAM and SSD are fast enough to handle the CPU’s needs. If you don’t do your research and invest in a CPU, you could end up with a performance bottleneck and not get what you want.
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