Apple MacBook Pro 15 2018 (2.9 GHz i9, Vega 20) Laptop Review
Intel Core i9-8950HK | AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20 | 15.60" | 1.8 kg
The Intel Core i9-8950HK is a high-end processor for laptops with six cores based on the Coffee Lake architecture and was announced early 2018. The processor clocks at between 2.9- 4.8 GHz (4.3 GHz with 6 cores) and can execute up to twelve threads simultaneously thanks to Hyper-Threading. The 4.8 GHz can only be reached using the "Thermal Velocity Boost" which allows one core to boost to 4.8 GHz (+200 MHz) as long as the CPU temperature is below 50°C. Multiple cores can be boosted +100 MHz below 50°C.
According to Intel, the CPU is manufactured in an improved 14nm (14nm++) process. The i9-8950HK is the fastest model of the Coffee-Lake-H series at the time of announcement and offers an unlocked multiplier for overclocking of the CPU.
The Coffee Lake architecture is similar to Kaby Lake and differs only in the amount of cores (now six cores for the high end versions) and the improved 14nm process (14nm++ according to Intel).
Performance
Due to the two additional cores, performance has increased by almost 50% compared to a similar clocked Kaby Lake processor.
Graphics
The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 iGPU is supposed to offer a slightly higher performance as its clock rate has been increased by 50 MHz. The architecture is identical to that of the Intel HD Graphics 630. We do expect a performance improvement, but as a low-end solution it will probably only display current games smoothly at reduced details - if at all.
Power Consumption
Intel specifies the TDP with 45 watts and therefore the i9 is only suited for big laptops with good cooling solutions.
Series | Intel Coffee Lake | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Codename | Coffee Lake-H | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series: Coffee Lake Coffee Lake-H
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Clock Rate | 2900 - 4800 MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 1 Cache | 384 KB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 2 Cache | 1.5 MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 3 Cache | 12 MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Power Consumption (TDP = Thermal Design Power) | 45 Watt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Manufacturing Technology | 14 nm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Max. Temperature | 100 °C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Socket | FCBGA1440 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Features | Dual-Channel DDR4 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, Quick Sync, Virtualization, AES-NI | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 630 (350 - 1200 MHz) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
64 Bit | 64 Bit support | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Architecture | x86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Starting Price | $583 U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Announcement Date | 03/03/2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Product Link (external) | ark.intel.com |
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