Misleading Intel i9-9900K

Here is set of videos that explains this in detail from Hardware Unboxed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bD9EgyKYkU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25x2xPh7Kvo&t=3s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1vgfyw6cj0
 

Or alternative from Gamers Nexus:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1mJMI_uaa8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL-JFh9BzH8
 

In short Intel ordered review of new Intel i9-9900K CPU for company that called Principled Technologies and allow it to publish result good 10 days before anybody else can publish own reviews because they are tied under NDA. In few days Intel published it on their own web site.

As you can see first problem here that Intel allowed publishing results way before other independent from Intel companies can publish their results. And a lot of websites simply repost this news because they come from reputable company.

Second problem was that Principled Technologies didn’t do test correctly. Not even close. Details in first video by Gamers Nexus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1mJMI_uaa8). Just few examples. AMD benefits a lot from faster memory. So instead of using popular 3200 memory speed they decided to use 2933. And we are talking about gaming performance not workstation or server load where stability and ability to work 24/7 much more important than 3%-7% boost by faster memory (even more of you are using faster memory). Moreover, if somebody is buying top AMD CPU 2700X it is logical to buy faster memory. Nobody buying Porsche and put wheels from Toyota Corolla on it. System should be balanced. Next mistake is the way they did setup memory leads to quite relaxed memory timing and this will reduce memory performance even more. And last one they disabled half of the cores in 2700X. And this are only basic examples of their setup.

You may think that perhaps these settings are not important. But Hardware Unboxed and Gamers Nexus compared what they have for old Intel CPU 8700K vs AMD 2700X and what Principled Technologies has because report also contains results for 8700K. And gap between CPU 8700K and AMD 2700X is much closer than in published results by Principled Technologies. Moreover, results of Hardware Unboxed and Gamers Nexus are quite consistent with other independent reviewers.  

And third problem that these results allowed to state that new Intel CPU is 30%-50% faster than top AMD CPU. And Intel stated that they see similar results in their labs. And new Intel CPU will cost around 80% more. So, they desperately need people to preorder new expensive CPU. I’m not sure whether they did it intentionally or just so want to believe that it is true and didn’t bother to check.

All this hype forced Principled Technologies to slightly update their testing. Keep in mind that most issues are still there. They allow 2700X to use all cores and other minor adjustments but in general everybody agreed that testing is still incorrect.

Anyway, in previous results new Intel CPU was 25% faster and 3 games where more than 50% faster. In updated results new CPU is 17% faster and no game is faster than 50% (max is 48%). And if we exclude Counter Strike Global offense (who cares if there are 400 FPS or 600FPS) then difference is only 13% (max difference is 29%). And keep in mind that testing is still flawed and in proper test results gap will be closer.

As you can see statement 30%-50% faster is quite different from realistic 9%-13% faster. And it is 80% more expensive. And new CPU requires new expensive motherboard.

I would like to state that this case is really damaging reputation of Intel. Principled Technologies did some tests and it is up to them to do it correctly. If Intel backs their results they should independently verify them. And they definitely should not allow publishing results way before others can do it.

Recently Intel is lagging behind AMD technologically. And looks like instead of making better product they decided to fight for results using dirty tactics. I don’t believe in honest mistake because mistakes like this should never happened. It is like doctor forgetting his instrument inside of patient’s body after operation.

And lastly, I would like to reinstate fact that nobody should order product before independent reviews are published. Similar story happened recently with nVidia and new 2080 GPU but not in such extend. And I personally considering adding Intel in my ban list (and join VW with 20 years ban). I would rather buy less performant product but from honest company that don’t use shady tactics to get consumer’s money. I feel better this way and I hope that my money will help developing better product.