Intel’s Core i9-7920X gets delidded by Der8auer

Large die and still not soldered

A well-known overclocker, Der8auer, has managed to get its hands on Intel’s upcoming 12-core Core i9-7920X Skylake-X CPU, which he managed to delid by using his own new Delid-Die-Mate-X delidding tool and showing what is actually underneath that IHS.

The fact that Der8auer managed to easily delid the CPU and actually recommend the delidding process in order to get better temperatures, suggests that Intel has once again opted to use TIM rather than to solder the IHS to the CPU die, which could result in higher temperatures and lower overclocking potential. While this might not have a big impact on an average consumer, enthusiasts and overclockers certainly won’t like the fact that Intel is still using TIM and not solder. 

Bear in mind that Der8auer actually did not recommend delidding for AMD’s Ryzen and Ryzen Threadripper CPUs as these were soldered and wouldn’t benefit from delidding and even result in damaging the CPU die.  

The picture of the delidded Core i9-7920X shows a much larger die compared to the 10-core Core i9-7900X. The rest of the HEDT lineup from Intel should be the same, including the 18-core Core i9-7980XE.

Roman Hartung revealed the delidded CPU on its Facebook page and a video of the delidding process should be coming soon and in the meantime, the new X299 Delid-Die-Mate-X tool is now available from Overclockers UK with a price set at £74.99.