It's a good thing you weren't wondering if they went through the trouble of paying third parties*. Because, you know, there's no published proof that they did.
*fanboy rears his head by making one party into several
This is probably the most stupid statement that I've ever seen.
Somehow Intel sends them 9900K just for fun? Just for playing around? Even though they get 9900K before anyone else? Wow... Good guy Intel, indeed. /s