An alleged photograph of an unrevealed Core i5-14490F SKU has surfaced online, suggesting that Intel might be preparing to introduce a new CPU within its unofficially designated “Black Edition” series, exclusive to the Chinese market. If the leaks hold true, this upcoming processor is anticipated to deliver enhanced performance compared to the standard Intel Core i5-14400 while maintaining the same power efficiency.
Intel‘s Black Edition CPUs, distinguished by their distinctive black packaging, have maintained an air of mystery, being among the company’s more elusive processors. Renowned for their “xxx90F” variants available in China, these processors often outperform their globally accessible counterparts. The recent emergence of a photo depicting what appears to be an unannounced chip within this series has sparked speculation about Intel‘s potential imminent release of a new Black Edition processor.
The hardware industry insider, wxnod, shared a photo on Twitter showcasing the purported Intel Core i5-14490F, asserting that this SKU will feature 10 processing cores and 16 threads, aligning with the specifications of the Core i5-14400. What stands out about the speculated chip is its upgraded maximum turbo frequency, reaching 5.0GHz in contrast to the i5-14400’s 4.7GHz. Despite the performance boost, the i5-14490F is expected to maintain the same 65-watt TDP as its predecessor. Given the popularity of Intel‘s mid-range i5 CPUs among gamers, the prospect of a new model offering improved performance without increased power consumption is likely to generate significant interest and success.
Intel Core i5-14490F Rumored Specs
- 10 Cores (6 Performance Cores + 4 Efficiency Cores), 16 Threads
- 2.5GHz base clock, 5.0GHz max turbo frequency
- 65W TDP
Details regarding pricing and availability were not included in the leak, but it is anticipated that the Core i5-14490F will likely be introduced in China with a modest price increase compared to similar chips like the Core i5-14400 at its launch. While Intel‘s latest i5 offerings, excluding high-performance CPUs like the unlocked Core i5-14600K, typically fall within the $200 to $250 range, the specific pricing of the Core i5-14490F remains unknown. If Intel positions it within this price bracket, it would find itself in competition with AMD’s budget gaming CPUs such as the Ryzen 5 7600X and the Ryzen 7 5700X.
The source of wxnod’s photo of the Core i5-14490F is unclear, as such incidents of hardware leaks are not uncommon in the industry. For instance, recent leaks on Chinese forums revealed information about new motherboards featuring the Intel 800 and AMD 700 chipsets.
In a more severe case, the Intel Core i3-14100 was inadvertently made available for purchase in China last November, preceding its global early 2024 release. These early units of the entry-level Intel 14th Generation Raptor Lake Refresh desktop processor were identified as qualification samples, indicating that they were not originally intended for the general market.
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