https://www.pcgamer.com/rumored-core-i9-9900k-would-be-intels-burliest-mainstream-cpu-to-date/

Intel is reportedly prepping a new round of 9000 series processors culminating in the Core i9-9900K, an 8-core/16-thread chip that figures to be the chipmaker's most powerful mainstream CPU to date.

The distinction there is on "mainstream," as Intel's product stack already extends well past eight cores. However, those premium parts fall into the high end desktop (HEDT) category (just like AMD's Threadripper family), with prices that reflect the enthusiast target audience. The Core i9-7980XE, for example, boasts 18 cores and 36 threads, and costs nearly $2,000.