Intel will finally be re-introducing soldered IHS (integrated heatspreaders) with its 9th generation Core processors, well at least the Core i9-9900K and Core i7-9700K. Intel will refer to this feature as STIM (soldered thermal interface material). As you know AMD uses a soldered IHS with its first and second generation parts as well as Threadripper parts.
Xfastest went ahead and de-lidded a Core i9-9900K to confirm this. Soldered IHS is preferred by most enthusiasts as it has better heat-transfer characteristics, compared to fluid TIMs.
