Aurora R8, support for 9900ks

Question

Is it possible to upgrade to a 9900KS cpu?

This processor is 127 watts.

A 9900k series is supported on a z370 chipset, but no references are listed via pegatron or user manual for 127 watt cpu support.

The R8 supports 9900k (95 watts) the manual specs out 95 watts for cpu support.

With a BIOS update, could this cpu be supported or is it a physical limitation?

GTS81 · Accepted Answer

That is for 9900K.

I expected someone to raise the question on 9900KS. I personally refrained from that because we have enough of a dumpster fire with the R7 9th Gen topic.

A couple months ago, we spotted an R7 with 9400F processor. That's when I saw that Dell's R8 BIOS supports up to "C" stepping for 9th Gen processor. So now 9900KS. "D" stepping. Anyone dares to spend $600 (if you can get it at retail) to find out if the BIOS accepts it?

VRMs on the board should be able to sustain 180W. However, you are likely to go way beyond that with 5.0GHz on all cores even with +2/+3 AVX offset. Some people are saying that this special binned part is much healthier so the power draw could be a wash with 9900K at 5.0GHz all cores, i.e. it rides a better V-F curve.

Then the other issue you have is thermals. To date, @coldfish_91 probably holds the record for the beefiest radiator + fan setup in an R8 chassis. But look at this review:

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i9-9900ks-special-edition-review

It takes a custom loop to satisfy the thermal requirement here if you want to fully harness the power of this CPU.

So between Dell's BIOS, VRM, and thermals, I'd suggest to stay away from it unless you have plans for custom build in the future. Just look at Aurora Ryzen Edition and see how much of the 3950X's potential gets strung up by this platform.

JOcean · Answer

Yes, look at this forum post.

coldfish_91 · Answer

I don't think you need to go for 9900KS when 9900K is available as a stock option.

Our case cannot handle the heat generated from running 8 cores at 5.0Ghz even when i fitted in 120mm*49mm rad on top, CPU still easily reached 85 degrees when running at 4.7Ghz for 8 cores, I did not even bother to test all cores at 5.0Ghz in this case.

Or, if you really want 8 cores at 5.0Ghz, you can try to put 240mm AIO at the bottom like I did for my GPU, but use it to cool CPU instead, which might give you a chance to handle the temp.

Sandgrub · Answer

Thank you for the feedback!

Checking under load, @ 5.2GHz the VRM's may be taxed @ 174 but can handle if its rated @ 180 but at standard speeds ranks in around 140w

Great article on it:

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i9-9900ks-special-edition-review/10

Also the R8 liquid cooling will support the CPU; not much more heat in the case (ran as stock ) than the 9900K

I found the 9900KS OEM CPU's are somewhat cheaper... at $527 dollars

(OEM Manufacturer Part# CM8068404170208) vs. Boxed version (Part #: BX80684I99900KS) at a whopping ridiculously over priced $680

But that's the current market for premium silicon

Did I mention 9900K has a 3 year warranty vs. 9900KS 1 year warranty?

The short clean answer is the R8 will support the 9900KS

But I'd rather go with a 9900KF CPU (part #:BX80684I99900KF)

Price point is good @ $465, performance slightly better than 9900K 1% better

Alienware Desktops

Aurora R8, support for 9900ks

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