The tech firm revealed the latest decision hours after confirming it had exposed Google+ users’ personal data.
Cloud clash
The Pentagon contract was for a project named after the Star Wars films – the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure cloud (Jedi).
Bids were due to be submitted on Friday.
Securing the contract, which involves about a decade’s worth of work, could have helped Google catch up with Amazon and Microsoft – the two market leaders in selling cloud computing services to governments and businesses.
A Google spokeswoman said: “While we are working to support the US government with our cloud in many areas, we are not bidding on the Jedi contract because first, we couldn’t be assured that it would align with our AI principles, and second, we determined that there were portions of the contract that were out of scope with our current government certifications.”
This refers to the fact Google is currently allowed to handle only “moderate” security-cleared US government data, but not more sensitive material.
It said the flaw could have made it possible for unauthorised third-parties to have scraped 500,000 members’ private details from the social network.
Google said it had found no evidence that anyone had actually exploited the flaw, and added that it was unable to specify which users had been affected.
But the Wall Street Journal reported that the business’s chief executive, Sundar Pichai, had been briefed on the matter seven months ago and had been informed that the company did not intend to make the matter public “because of fears that doing so would draw regulatory scrutiny”.
Google has not responded to this claim.
The timing of the bug’s discovery coincided with Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica data breach scandal, which some believe might have prompted Google to carry out its audit.
European data privacy watchdogs are now looking into the affair.
Because it happened before the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect, each country’s relevant authority can pursue Google individually.
The Irish Data Protection Commission said in a statement it had not been aware of the issue and would be looking for answers from Google in respect of the nature, impact and risk to individuals.
Pixel phone event
The two latest developments came on the eve of a consumer-focused Google event.
Microsoft is ending support for Minecraft on Apple TV.
The app arrived on the device two years ago and cost £20 in the UK.
In an on-screen message to players the firm said it was “reallocating resources” to more popular platforms, and while the game would still exist on the device, it would refund purchases made within the last 90 days.
Players began being alerted on 24 September. Apple and Microsoft have been contacted for comment.
Apple fan Nathan Burlton tweeted a picture of the message from Minecraft when his 10-year-old son tried to load the game on his Apple TV at the weekend.
“He doesn’t play on it very often,” he said.
“Occasionally when friends are around we would use it on the Apple TV with someone playing on the TV and a few others on iPads. It was useful in that regard.”
The family prefer to play Minecraft on tablets, he added.
Set-top gaming
Set-top boxes have struggled to attract mass audiences to their games offerings despite many being made available on devices like the Apple TV, Amazon’s Firestick and Google’s Android TV.
In an interview with Fast Company last year, games publisher Raw Fury said in the first five months of the launch of its game Kingdom: New Lands, it had sold 54,000 units of the iOS version, 35,000 of the XBox One version and 600 on Apple TV.
Commenting on the decision about Minecraft, analyst Ed Barton from Ovum told the BBC that Apple TV was unlikely to be a big platform for it.
“We wouldn’t assume Apple TV would be the primary device that most Minecraft players are using but for the people who are playing it, it may be their only way of playing it on their big TV,” he said.
“Set-top boxes haven’t blown the lights out of the gaming world – their primary purpose is to watch stuff on, not play stuff on.
“But TV devices are ideal to stream games to in the future.”
Following a spate of leaks and rumors, the technology world is abuzz with talk of a 2-in-1 Google Chromebook tablet in the works known internally as ‘Nocturne’. We’ve also we’ve seen some pretty solid leaks that point to Nocturne being called the Google Pixel Slate. In the run up to its likely unveiling at the Google Pixel 3 launch event, it seems pretty likely that Google is working on a 2-in-1 tablet running Chrome OS.
A leaked video has shown a possible Google-made tablet with a keyboard cover, while a more recently-leaked marketing image shows the purported tablet with a completely different-looking keyboard attached. Even renders of software updates showing preparations for biometric login on a Chrome tablet device have popped up. We’ve also seen speculation that the Google Pixel Slate will be able to dual boot into Windows 10 and Chrome OS.
So, the Google Pixel Slate is likely going to be a 2-in-1 tablet running Chrome OS with support for keyboard covers. Here’s everything else we know about it right now.
Cut to the chase
What is it? A 2-in-1 tablet running Chrome OS from Google
When is it out? Q3 2018 at the earliest, likely close to holidays
We don’t know much about when we’ll see the Google Pixel Slate hit the market,. The only thing we know for sure is that Google has an event planned in New York City to show off new hardware.
We’re pretty sure we’ll see Google’s new Pixel 3 smartphones at that event, but there are plenty of rumors that point to Google releasing two new Chromebooks, too – the Pixel Slate included.
If Google does release the Pixel Slate on October 9, we can expect to see it on shelves by the end of the month or in early November. No matter what, Google will likely make sure this product is available for anyone looking to put some shiny new tech under the Christmas tree.
Google Pixel Slate price
This is another aspect of this rumored product that we know little to nothing about. So, all we can do is speculate based on what might be inside.
We’ve heard rumors that the Google Pixel Slate will have the same resolution display as the Pixelbook of today, though its screen size is unknown. Devices with super-sharp resolutions like that tend to cost around $999 (about £759, AU$1,385).
However, this device’s keyboard cover is potentially optional, like all other 2-in-1 tablets, which would reduce the price a bit as well. All told, we’re expecting a price similar to that of the Surface Pro or iPad Pro, so around $799 (£799, AU$1,199).
Google Pixel Slate design
In the run up to the expected launch of the Google Pixel Slate, we’ve seen a number of leaks that give us a good idea of that the upcoming tablet/laptop hybrid will look like.
The latest leaked images of the Google Pixel Slate clearly show a tablet-like device with an attached keyboard. If the image is genuine (and it comes from a leaker who has a good track record with this), then it looks like we’re getting a tablet device that can be used like a laptop as well.
There’s more to life than phones. pic.twitter.com/qRyuwbNKWAOctober 8, 2018
Google Pixel Slate specs
Unfortunately, we don’t know much more about what the Google Pixel Slate tablet will be packing inside than we know about its price and release date. However, a scant few details have creeped through the rumor mill.
For starters, it’s been reported that the Google Pixel Slate will have the same resolution as the Pixelbook – 2,400 x 1,600. However, we’re not sure exactly how large the screen will be, so there’s no pixel density number that we can calculate right now.
According to a now-dated XDA developer forum post, the device will also offer secure login thorough a fingerprint sensor as well as an Intel Skylake generation CPU. The former detail has been backed up by some leaked images. However, we don’t think the Google Pixel Slate will actually launch with a Skylake CPU – that’s an ancient chip by today’s standards. Instead, we’re hoping to see either Whiskey Lake or Coffee Lake generation mobile Intel processors on the Slate.
Also, we know now based off of a leaked image that the tablet will feature at least one USB-C port – a shocker, we know.
Based on a leaked marketing image of the Pixel Slate, it seems that this tablet’s keyboard will latch on the bottom right and left corners of the display. More than likely, these two parts will be able to come apart completely and still maintain an operating connection while separated if the Google Pixel Slate is really a spiritual successor to the Pixel C.
Beyond this, there isn’t much more information about what might be inside the Google Pixel Slate. At the very least, October 9 isn’t all that far away.
With competition from rival devices heating up, it’s a good time to be on the lookout for some of the cheapest Chromecast prices. Google Chromecast is not only one of the most useful and innovative gadgets of the last few years, it’s also excellent value for money. And if you’re looking to pick one up for the cheapest possible price, you’ve come to the right place!
Chromecast is a Wi-Fi HDMI dongle that you plug directly into your TV. From there you can use your smartphone or tablet to ‘throw’ video at your TV over Wi-Fi, whether it be Netflix movies, live football matches from the major broadcasters or simply just a funny YouTube video. On this page we’ll find you the best prices for the Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast 2 (or just Chromecast now) and Chromecast Audio and explain how they differ.
With prices already incredibly cheap, there’s no need to hang on for specific Chromecast sales. If you’re in the UK or US and would prefer to stream content from a standalone box, you should take a look at the latest Roku deals.
What is a good Chromecast price?
This one’s easy. The standard price for a Chromecast 2 is $35 in the USA, £30 in the UK and $58 in Australia. You should never, ever pay more than that because you can always find one for that price.
The cheapest Chromecast 2 prices
The Chromecast 2, or ‘new Chromecast’ as it’s also known, is very similar to the now discontinued 2013 Chromecast. Sure, it looks a little different. And it’s got slightly faster network performance and a few other tweaks such as coming with a dangly cable instead of as a rigid stick. But essentially the same product in a different shape – that’s why the prices were basically the same. If you can find one for the same price, get this new one.
The best Chromecast Audio deals
While it doesn’t offer true multi-room streaming at the moment (fingers crossed that comes soon), this easy-to-use and affordable device modernizes any trusty set of wired speakers you already own with wireless capabilities. In doing so, it also opens them up to features that will grow and get even better over time. Got an old set of speakers or an ancient iPod dock? Turn it into a wireless speaker with Chromecast Audio!
The cheapest Chromecast Ultra prices
The 4K Chromecast Ultra is the newest member of the Chromecast family. If you have a 4K TV or are planning on getting one, it’s certainly worth picking one of these up. The Chromecast Ultra is a cheaper alternative to Amazon’s Fire TV or the US-only Roku 4 for getting 4K content on your TV. Chromecast Ultra deals are usually around £69/US$69/AU$95, so anything cheaper is an added bonus.
Excel has over 475 formulas in its Functions Library, from simple mathematics to very complex statistical, logical, and engineering tasks such as IF statements (one of our perennial favorite stories); AND, OR, NOT functions; COUNT, AVERAGE, and MIN/MAX.
The basic functions covered below are the top 12 most popular formulas in Excel. To help you learn, we’ve also provided a spreadsheet with all the formula examples we cover below.
This workbook has a tab for each popular formula covered in this article, with example data.
1. TODAY/NOW
There are 24 Date and Time functions listed on the drop-down menu under Formulas > Date & Time: 11 Date formats, 10 Time formats, and as many user-defined custom formats you can create. The TODAY function reveals the current month, day, and year; while the NOW function reveals the current month, day, year, and time of day. This is a handy function if you’re one of those individuals who always forgets to date your work.
1. Enter the following formula in cell A1: =TODAY() and press Enter.
2. Next, type over that function in A1 with =NOW().
IMPORTANT NOTE: Why type over? In order for these two formulas to work properly, they must be entered in the Home cell, that is, A1, otherwise, they won’t update automatically when the spreadsheet recalculates. Press Shift- F9 to calculate/recalculate the active spreadsheet only, or press F9 for the entire workbook.
After you enter one of these functions in A1, you can then reformat the Date and Time or use the system default. The default format for the TODAY function is 8/29/18, and the default for NOW is 8/29/18 21:57. If these don’t work for you, change them.
3. Position your cursor on the Date or Time you want changed and choose Home > Format > Format Cells.
4. In the Format Cells dialog window, choose Date (or Time) from the Category panel under the Number tab.
5. Scroll through the list of Date/Time formats in the Type dialog pane and select the format that best fits your project.
JD Sartain / IDG Worldwide
Date and Time functions and formats
2. SUM functions
Probably the most frequently used function in Excel (or any other spreadsheet program), =SUM does just that: It sums a column, row, or range of numbers—but it doesn’t just sum. It also subtracts, multiplies, divides, and uses any of the comparison operators to return a result of 1 (true) or 0 (false).
You can also get the same results just using the plus (+) sign in place of the function SUM. For example, both of these formulas produce the same answer: =SUM(J7*9) and =+(J7*9). In the spreadsheet graphic below, notice that cells E3 through E8 use the SUM function, while cells E9 through E9 through E14 use the plus (+) sign and the results are the same.
You can enter the SUM function (or + sign) manually or select it from the Ribbon menu under Formulas > Math & Trig (button), then choose from the drop-down list; or choose (from the Ribbon menu) Formulas > Insert Function, then scroll down the list and select it from there.
If you just want to add a single column of numbers, position your cursor in the cell at the bottom of that column, click the AutoSum button > SUM, and press Enter. Excel frames the column of numbers in green borders and displays the formula in the current cell.
JD Sartain / IDG Worldwide
Sum functions using multiple calculation operators
The problem comes when the range of numbers you need to calculate gets complicated with multiple calculation operators over multiple cellsFor example: =SUM(H1+I1*J1-M1*J1. Remember your high school math? If the numbers inside the formula are not grouped properly, the answer will be wrong. Notice the screenshot below (figure 2).
Enter the following column headers in H2 through P2 (use Alt+ Enter to stack headers in a single cell): Daily Earnings, Plus Bonuses, Times Days Worked, Gross Pay, (formula), Minus Meals at $9.00 per day, Total Monthly Earnings, Formula, and Comment.
NOTE: The formula columns are FYI only and provide no intrinsic value to the spreadsheet. They just “display” the formula for your benefit (so you can see the syntax of each formula used).
For this exercise, you can enter the same values in H3:11, I3:11, and J3:11, with or without the blank rows in between (again, added for easier viewing). Complete as follows: $86.00, $20.00, 22.0 workdays, and the rest are formulas. Note that as we build each formula, we are combining the steps, eventually, into a single formula.
We start out with three separate formulas. The first is to add the Daily earnings, plus Bonuses, multiplied by the number of days worked in a month, which equals Gross Pay: =SUM(H3+I3*J3) in cell K3. Notice that the answer is $526.00. That just doesn’t look right.
Use your calculator to check the formulas to ensure they’re correct BEFORE you copy them to the rest of the cells in the column.
The formula in K3 is wrong. It requires grouping the numbers according to the order of calculation using commas or parentheses.
Note the corrected formula in cell K4: =SUM(H4+I4)*J4. Check your numbers again (with your calculator) and note that this formula is correct. The correct answer is $2,332.00.
5. The second formula (in M4) is =SUM(J4*9) multiplies the workdays (22) times $9.00, the cost of meals per day. The correct answer is $198.00.
6. The third formula (in N4) calculates the monthly earnings minus the meals: =SUM(K4-M4); answer is $2,134.00.
7. In the next group (H6:N8), the formulas in M6:M8 remain the same: =SUM(J7*9), etc.—again that’s the number of workdays times the cost of meals. But the formulas in column K are eliminated and then combined with the formulas in column M: =SUM(H7+I7)*J7-M7. Note that the syntax (the structure or layout of the formula) is correct in cells N7 and N8, but incorrect in N6.
8. The next group (H10:H11) combines the formulas in column M with the formulas in column N: =SUM(H11+I11)*J11-(M11*J11)—note that the formula in N10 is incorrect. By combining these formulas into one, you can eliminate columns K and L.
9. Also, instead of “hardcoding” the price of the meals (as shown in M3:M4 and M6:M8), you can now change the price of the meals in column M (M10:M11) when inflation dictates an increase instead of changing the formula.
JD Sartain / IDG Worldwide
Complex SUM functions using multiple arguments
3. RAND function
The RAND function is really simple and traditionally used for statistical analysis, cryptography, gaming, gambling, and probability theory, among dozens of other things. In Excel, the RAND function generates a random number between 0 and 1. Note; however, that every time you enter new data and press the Enter key, the list of random numbers you just created changes. If you need to maintain your random numbers lists, you must format the cells as values.
1. Enter the function =RAND() in columns A3 through A14. Select that column and press Ctrl+C (for copy) or click the Copy button under the Home tab and choose Copy from the drop-down menu. Move your cursor to cell B3 and select Home > Paste > Paste Special. Click the Values button from the Paste Special dialog window, then click OK.
2. Now the list contains values instead of functions, so it will not change. Notice (in the formula bar) that the random numbers have 15 digits after the decimal (Excel defaults to 9), which you can change, if necessary (as displayed in cell F3). Just click the Increase Decimal button in the Number group under the Home tab.
3. If you prefer to work with whole numbers, enter this formula in cell F3: =INT(RAND()*999) and you get a 3-digit random number. Copy the formula down through F12, then add another ‘9’ to the string to add another digit to your random number—e.g., four nines equal four digits, five nines equal five digits. Again, you must copy the list and Paste as Values to maintain a static list.
JD Sartain / IDG Worldwide
Use the RAND function to create lists of random numbers
4. COUNT functions
Use the COUNT function to count the number of numeric values in a range of cells; for example: C4:C15 contains the quantity of garden tools Mr. McGregor needs to order for his shop. Note that the answer is 10 (out of 12), because the COUNT function does not include blank cells. However, if you enter a zero, a numeric code, or a date, Excel counts it as an “occupied” cell and includes it in its answer.
Enter 10 numbers into column C (Quantity). Replace one number with a space (or a tap on the spacebar), then replace another number with a semicolon, and then enter a date into cell C7.
Enter this formula at the bottom of the number list (C16): =COUNT(C4:C15). The answer is 10 (out of 12) because Excel counted all the numbers and the date, but ignored the blank cell (containing the space) and the punctuation in cell C8.
Use the COUNTA function if you want to include numeric values, logical or error values, text, a space (from the spacebar), punctuation, symbols, or any other character on your keyboard.
1. Enter 12 dollar amounts into column D (Price). Replace one cell with a question mark, another cell with a symbol, and another cell with some text.
2. Enter this formula in D16: =COUNTA(C4:C15). The answer is 12 (out of 12) because Excel included all the “non-numeric” values and characters.
3. Notice that row 18 (C and D) displays the actual formulas that are in C and D 16.
JD Sartain / IDG Worldwide
COUNT & COUNTA count the number of cells that contain something
5. AVERAGE function
Most everyone knows that an average is determined by adding all the values in a list, then dividing by the number of values listed; e.g., 4+5+3=12/3=4, which is the average. You can use the SUM function and add the division all in one formula, or you can just use the AVERAGE function. The syntax is: =AVERAGE(range).
1. Enter some numbers in column A. Enter the AVERAGE function at the bottom of the list: =AVERAGE(A4:A13) and note the answer (in our case) is 53. You can verify your answer with the SUM function; that is: =SUM(A4:A13/10) = 53.
2. Next enter some more numbers in column C but, this time, add some text to one cell, punctuation to another, and a space to another. Enter the same formula: =AVERAGE(A4:A15), and note the answer is 78. To verify, enter the SUM formula omitting the cells that contain non-numeric characters:
Cells that contain text, logical values, punctuation, or empty cells are disregarded; but cells with the zeros (as a number, but not as text) are included. A text zero would have an apostrophe in front of the zero, which you cannot see in the cell, but is visible in the Formula Bar.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you’re importing huge databases from a mainframe or an outside, external source, sometimes the numbers export as text. How can you know if a number is really text? Generally, text is left-justified and numbers are right-justified but, because everyone formats their spreadsheets for aesthetics now, that method is unreliable. Another option is to scroll quickly through a long list of imported numbers and watch the Formula Bar. If you see apostrophes before any of the numbers, those entries are text. Last, look for the green triangle in the top left corner of the cell. Unless the previous owner of the spreadsheet instructed Excel to ignore this error, then the contents of the cell are text.
If the values are text, you must convert them to numbers immediately. To do this, move down to the first number in the list that’s actually text. Highlight the range of text that’s impersonating numbers. Right-click the yellow warning sign that’s left of the first text cell in the range. Click Convert to Number from the pop-up list, and it’s done.
JD Sartain / IDG Worldwide
The AVERAGE function
6. MIN/MAX functions
Use the MIN function to find the smallest number in a range of values, and the MAX function to find the highest. The syntax for these functions are: =MIN(range); =MAX(range) where range equals the list of numbers you’re calculating.
Common uses of this function are; for example, find the highest/lowest grade in a classroom; the highest/lowest sales dollars in a store; the highest/lowest batting averages of your favorite baseball team; and so on.
Some would ask, why not just sort the data? You could, but every time the numbers changed, you’d have to re-sort. And, if you’re sorting multiple columns/fields with a lot of records/rows, the sort option could get cumbersome.
The MIN/MAX functions remain the same regardless of the changes in the data, even if you add more rows (as long as you add the rows using the Insert > Row feature within the existing range–that is, above the cell that contains the formula).
Enter some numbers in column A4:A11, then enter this formula in A13: =MIN(A4:A11) and this formula in A14: =MAN(A4:A11).
NOTE: The MIN/MAX functions disregard empty cells, TRUE/FALSE answers, text, text impersonating numbers, symbols, and punctuation.
JD Sartain / IDG Worldwide
The MIN & MAX function
7. CONCAT/CONCATENATE
The functions CONCAT and CONCATENATE do the same thing: They both combine multiple cells, ranges, or strings of data into one cell. The most common use of this function is to combine first and last name into one cell or join the city, state, and ZIP code into one cell.
NZXT only recently got into manufacturing motherboards last year, but its already onto its sophomore release with the introduction of a new N7 Z390 motherboard.
Ready built for 9th Generation Intel Coffee Lake Refresh processors, this motherboard features two M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs, support for DDR4 memory as fast as 3,866MHz. As with other Z390 motherboards, this new model comes with Gigabit Wi-Fi build in thanks to its Intel Wireless-AC 9560 Gigabit wireless module.
The NZ Z390 motherboard also supports all of NZXT’s unique features include the newly improved Hue 2 platform extends RGB lighting beyond your PC with also accessories such as lighting strips for your monitor. Users will be able to customize their RGB lighting and control GRID + supported fans though NZXT’s CAM software.
As with the NZXT previous NZ Z370 motherboard, this new model comes in black or white with a variety blue, red or purple panels users can throw on to cover up the motherboard’s heat sinks.
The NZXT NZ Z390 motherboard will be available sometime in mid-November for $279 (about £210, AU$390)
Intel’s recent processors have been a step behind the high-core count, massive multi-threading performance of AMD Ryzen CPUs for some time now, but now Intel Core i9-9900K looks to level the playground.
Team Blue’s first-ever mainstream Core i9 chip comes equipped with 8-cores, 16-threads and the ability to boost up to a maximum 5.0GHz speed. All told, this looks like the most powerful processor ever made for consumers.
Pricing and availability
The Intel Core i9-9900K will sell for $488 (about £370, AU$690) and that’s quite a price bump from Intel’s previous flagship processor, the Intel Core i7-8700K, which went for $359 (£389, AU$524) at launch.
Intel’s first mainstream Core i9 chip also looks exorbitantly expensive next to the $329 (£299, AU$469) AMD Ryzen 7 2700X, which features the nearly the same specs on paper and comes with a premium RGB CPU cooler in the box.
Features and chipset
Not only is the Intel Core i9-9900K one of two of the company’s first mainstream octa-core processors – the other being the Intel Core i7-9700K – it also features the highest 16-thread count in the Coffee Lake Refresh lineup. This should translate to hyper-threading performance, which could finally outpace AMD’s rival processors.
Speaking of AMD, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X also features 8-cores and 16-threads with base/boost clocks of 3.7GHz and 4.3GHz, respectively. Intel’s new Core i9 chip, on the other hand, is rated to start at a 3.6GHz base frequency and boost to 5.0GHz with a single core, or 4.7GHz with six-to-eight cores.
The most impressive thing about the Intel Core i9-9900K is that it integrates 8-cores, 16-thread and 400MHz higher clock speeds into chip with the same 95W thermal package.
One other little tidbit we’re extremely excited about with Intel’s new line of processors is that they all feature a soldered integrated heat spreader (IHS). This new soldered-based thermal interface material should help immensely with heat dissipation and achieving higher overclock speeds.
Unlike Coffee Lake, users won’t necessarily have to splurge on a new motherboard just to install this Core i9 chip. The Intel Core i9-9900K will be fully compatible with existing Z370 motherboards. The only thing Intel’s new Z390 platform brings is USB 3.1 Gen 2 support for 10Gbps data transfer speeds through traditional full-sized USB ports and integrated 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5 for gigabit wireless speeds.
Performance
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to benchmark Intel’s new mainstream Core i9 CPU with our usual suite of tests. However, we can tell you the Intel Core i9-9900K paired with a Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 achieved a score of 33,108 in World of Tanks Encore’s benchmark test.
We also got to game a little a PUBG at 1080p and Ultra quality settings, and experience the game at a glorious 175fps.
At another demo station, we were show how users can possibly use the processor to play PUBG and World of Tanks Encore at the same time. Now this isn’t what we would call a traditional PC. Instead what Intel did was take a PC equipped with Intel Core i9-9900K system paired with 16GB of RAM, two Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 two distinct virtual systems, and split it in half with On Raid to create two virtual PCs each featuring a 4-core, 8-thread PC with only one RTX 2080 and 8GB of memory.
Despite having only roughly half of its available processing power, the PC still performed admirably playing PUBG at a consistent 80fps at 1080p and Ultra quality settings. Meanwhile, World of Tanks Encore was running at the same settings and at a steady 100fps.
Obviously, this isn’t something anyone will likely do with their own PC, but its impressive nonetheless.
Early verdict
Intel might be late to the game with its first mainstream octa-core processor, but the Intel Core i9-9900K is an impressive debut. These are the biggest specs we’ve seen on a mainstream Intel processor while maintaining the same thermal design power (TDP) envelope as its predecessor. The reintroduction of a solder heat spreader should amount to a cooler-running chip, something we really look forward to testing.
