Home > CPU

Is Intel i9 future-proof?

Has Intel upgraded its i9 chipset to be a more future-proof platform, or will enthusiasts have to wait for the next option
Last Updated on April 21, 2023
PC Guide is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More
You can trust PC Guide: Our team of experts use a combination of independent consumer research, in-depth testing where appropriate - which will be flagged as such, and market analysis when recommending products, software and services. Find out how we test here.

Intel always drops at least three SKUs with every new generation: the i5, the i7, and the i9. The Intel i9 has always been the best of all the family. As such it’s a CPU built to endure. Out of any other Intel CPU, the i9 is the most future-proof unit. These CPUs tend to have a large core count and the fastest clock speed. Besides, Intel showcases the best of its technology on this CPU.

Although, in reality, no technology is future-proof. The Intel i9 is a high-performance processor and will likely remain so for several years, but eventually, it will become outdated as new technologies are developed. The best way to ensure that your technology remains useful for as long as possible is to keep it updated with the latest software and hardware upgrades.

The concept of future-proofing is misused along the internet giving the illusion of durability across the years. The tendency of the PC components is advancing. Although Intel has made an effort of providing its new technology on older hardware, like motherboards with backward compatibility, it’s just a simple way to keep selling old products.

Which processor is future-proof?

According to the real definition of future-proofing, no processor is future-proof. All of their specs and technology will fall obsolete at some point. However, we can talk about comparing durability. This would be how long can a processor last compared to others. In that case, an Intel i9 is more durable and “future-proof” than any other Intel CPU, due to how strong and fast it is built to be.

The other side of the coin is AMD. Team Red decided to ban the previous gen, like DDR4 and AM4 motherboards, with its new AM5 socket type. This helps technology advance and closes “future-proof” ideas from previous-gen components.

It has to be remarked that, every time the PC components are growing stronger which makes them more durable and delays their planned obsolescence. However, it always gets the time when they just aren’t enough. At the moment of writing this text; it’s clear that an Intel i9-11900K, a 2-year-old CPU, is already almost useless; with only 8 cores and the socket 1200 that no motherboard uses anymore.

How long will i9 last?

Judging by the lifespan of similar CPUs and the quality of the i9 processors, they should last around 5 years before you need to upgrade. The processor will last longer, but if you’re a PC fanatic you’ll probably be wanting a new one to keep up with new games and software.

Is the i9 worth getting over the i7?

If you’re a keen gamer, work in video editing or need a generally powerful processor in order to run multiple complex tasks or programs at once, the i9 will probably worth getting over the i7. This is especially the case if you have a slightly higher budget to work with.

Camilo is a contributor for PC Guide. He's been into tech since he was a teen, surfing through the web and local stores trying to find the cheapest way to play the latest Half-Life on his old Windows