I'm trying to make the most of my SPECIALs without Intense Training and i'm starting to feel that going with 9 int right off the bat isn't worth it anymore. Obviously skill points aren't an issue with all the DLC, now all i'm worried about is Int checks in dialogue.

I don't recall anything higher than 8, so i could go with 7 base + implant and put those 2 points elsewhere. (i don't like relying on items for stats)

But am i wrong? Is there an Int check greater than 8 in the base game or any of the current DLCs?

Well, mentats is your friend (+2 INT) and you also have Black Cofee rigth from the start, wich adds + 2.
There's really no reason for intelligence being higher than 7 in my view, even with 6 you can pass any checks using the consumables above, but it's up to you.
Also with OWB Four Eyes trait became interesting, because you have Dr. Klein and Dr. Mobius glasses.

I always start the game with 6 and pick the implant for the total of 7.

Use consumables.

I have a character with the SPECIAL:

3
3
9
7
4
5
9

And with that I've been able to meet just about every single check in the game. Get comprehension and that'll make meeting skill checks a breeze. Buffout, Mentats and a couple other items take care of STR and INT, you could even use Party time mentats in combination to take care of Perception and Charisma.

Personally I don't get why people value Intelligence so much. Just because it was god-like in FO3 doesn't mean it's god-like here. That same character mentioned above is level 45 and I think his lowest skill is at 73, whereas 5 skills are at or near 100 (waiting to see if Lonesome Road has skillbooks), and honestly? You don't need EVER skill maxed to be happy. And keep in mind that once a skill hits 80, all it takes is a skill magazine to bump it up to 100.

Like i said, i prefer not having to rely on stuff for my checks... it's just extra hassle and inventory clutter.

Btw, Longknife, what's the 7 charisma for?

There are some high check in OWB. I remember a 9 for either perception or intelligence. I can't recall much. It was when talking with one of the Think Tank I believe.