According to the new report, there will be processors representing Core i5, Core i7 and Core i9 product families. There will apparently be three processors represented, at least initially:

Core i9-9900K with 8 cores and 16 threads
Core i7-9700K with 6 cores and 12 threads
Core i5-9600K with 6 cores and 6 threads

The Core i9 name had previously been reserved for the Core-X HEDT processors, but has since been used in hexa-core mobile parts (a la the Core i9-8950HK). So, bringing Core i9 to the mainstream desktop market doesn't sound like too much of a stretch, especially if it truly is an octa-core processor. This would put Intel's top mainstream processor on more even footing with AMD's mainstream Ryzen family, which is available with up to 8 cores (16 threads) in its current iteration. The new processors would be supported by Intel's Z390 chipset, which may or may not end up being a rebranded Z370 with optimizations to insure consistent power delivery (especially when overclocking). As we reported earlier, the Z390 was originally spec'd to include native 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 and USB 3.1 Gen2 support. However, going with a Z370 rebrand with some minor tweaks would provide Intel with a more value-oriented alternative in the increasingly competitive desktop processor market.