28 PCWorld FEBRUARY 2019NEWS INTEL’S NEW ‘F-SERIES’ CORE CHIPS
the shortage of its other 14nm chips, and
that’s probably an accurate assessment.
(For reference, Intel’s master
microprocessor price list is here [go.pcworld.
com/iml], though the price for a packaged
processor from an individual retailer will be
higher. Intel also publishes a more detailed
list of specifications for its processor families,
such as this Core i5 master list [go.pcworld.
com/i5l]. Finally, each processor can also be
individually checked within Intel’s Ark
database [go.pcworld.com/iark] for the
remaining details.)
The new chips include the Core i3-8100F
(go.pcworld.com/i381), the Core i3-9350KF
(go.pcworld.com/i393), the Core i5-9400F
(go.pcworld.com/i594), the Core i5-9600KF
(go.pcworld.com/i596), the Core i7-9700KF
(go.pcworld.com/i797), and the Core
i9-9900KF (go.pcworld.com/i999). For all of
these processors, save for the Core
i3-9350KF, Intel ships a version with an
integrated GPU at the same
listed price.
The Core i3-9350KF is
the one processor in the list
that might be worthy of a
second look, as it’s without
an “F-less” analogue in the
master Intel price list.
Though the 4GHz Core
i3-9350KF lacks a GPU,
Intel’s database lists it as
being Turbo boost-capable,up to 4.6GHz. The closest comparable
processor is the Core i3-8350K, which is
limited to its stock speed of 4GHz. Though
Intel charges a $5 premium for the $173
Core i3-9350KF over the $168 Core
i3-8350K, that extra bit of processor oomph
may be worth it.
In general, though, you’d be better off
shying away from Intel’s new F-series chips.
While Intel and/or retailers may end up
discounting the F-series to clear them from
store shelves, there doesn’t seem to be a
compelling reason to invest in one of Intel’s
new chips if better options are available.Why this matters: Intel’s struggles to shift
between its 14nm and 10nm parts may
cause the company to propose stopgap
measures like these. If you can, you’d
probably be better off waiting for Intel’s
new Ice Lake 10nm chips to ship nearer to
the 2019 holiday season.