After several rumors and leaks, and Newegg inadvertently posting the i9-12900KS ahead of its launch, Intel has officially announced its latest flagship processor. The Core i9-12900KS is a binned version of the Core i9-12900K. If you are not familiar with binned chips, it means that the KS variant has a better silicone chip than the K and non-K CPUs. The said CPU will go on sale starting April 5th, next month, and comes with an MSRP of $739 USD. But how fast is the i9-12900KS vs the regular i9-12900K? We’re not entirely sure yet at this point, but we have a clue. Read on.
UPDATE: Intel Core i9-12900KS is now available on Amazon.com here.
Intel Core i9-12900KS Launched – “World’s Fastest Desktop CPU”
Intel recently announced full details and availability for the new 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900KS, the “world’s fastest desktop processor”. It delivers up to 5.5 GHz max turbo frequency—in spec with Intel Thermal Velocity Boost and features Intel Adaptive Boost Technology (Intel ABT) to provide “the ultimate gaming experience”.
Marcus Kennedy, general manager of Gaming, Creator & E-sports Segment at Intel:
“Intel continues to push the envelope for desktop gaming with the new 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900KS processor. Based on Intel’s 12th Gen performance hybrid architecture, this processor can hit 5.5 GHz on up to two cores for the first time, giving the most extreme gamers the ability to maximize performance,”
The unlocked i9-12900KS processor is the ultimate processor for enthusiasts and gamers who want the fastest processor available. With 16 cores (eight Performance-cores and eight Efficient-cores) and 24 threads, and up to 5.5 GHz max turbo frequency, 150 W processor base power, and 30 MB Intel Smart Cache for even more gaming power and performance.
Key features and capabilities of the i9-12900KS include:
- Up to 5.5 GHz max turbo frequency with Intel Thermal Velocity Boost.
- Intel Adaptive Boost Technology for improved gaming performance by opportunistically allowing higher multi-core turbo frequencies.
- 16 cores (eight P-cores and eight E-cores), 24 threads, 150 W processor base power, 30 MB Intel Smart Cache, and PCIe Gen 5.0 and 4.0 support.
- Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s and DDR4 3200 MT/s support.
- Chipset compatible with existing Z690 motherboards with the latest BIOS recommended for the best gaming experience.
- The i9-12900KS processor allows gamers and overclocking enthusiasts to take performance to the next level.
But How Fast Is It? i9-12900KS vs i9-12900K
We probably won’t be seeing reviews of this CPU not until April 5th, but there was some leaked 3DMark performance thanks to HXL (@9550pro). According to his tweet, the i9-12900KS scored 9816 on Time Spy Extreme; 20263 on Time Spy; 41525 on Fire Strike Ultra; 44497 on Fire Strike Extreme; and 44439 on Fire Strike. So depending on the scores that you get, it would be around 8% in general. It would proabaly be higher depending on the benchmark suite.
Honestly, I’m not expecting that the performance difference between the KS and K would be significant. Perhaps 10% on average would be the best the i9-12900KS can offer from the i9-12900K.
Intel Core i9-12900KS Pricing and Availability
This special edition processor will be available beginning April 5 with a recommended customer price starting at $739. For the latest pricing and availability, kindly follow the link(s) below.
Check the Intel Core i9-12900KS at Amazon.com here or Newegg.com here
Intel Core i9-12900KS Specifications
| CPU Model | Cores (P+E) | Threads | Max Turbo Frequency | P-core Max Turbo Frequency | E-core Max Turbo Frequency | P-core Base Frequency | E-core Base Frequency | Intel Smart Cache (L3) | Total L2 Cache | Processor Graphics | Total CPU PCIe Lanes | Memory Support | Memory Channels | Maximum Memory Capacity | Processor Base Power (W) | Maximum Turbo Power (W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| i9-12900KS | 16 (8P + 8E) | 24 | 5.50 GHz | 5.20 GHz | 4.00 GHz GHz | 3.40 GHz | 2.50 GHz | 30MB | 14MB | UHD Graphics 770 | 20 | DDR5 / DDR4 | 2 | 128GB | 150 | 241 |
| i9-12900K Available here | 16 (8P + 8E) | 24 | 5.2 GHz | 5.1 GHz | 3.9 GHz | 3.2 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 30MB | 14MB | UHD Graphics 770 | 20 | DDR5 / DDR4 | 2 | 128GB | 125 | 241 |
| i9-12900KF Available here | 16 (8P + 8E) | 24 | 5.2 GHz | 5.1 GHz | 3.9 GHz | 3.2 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 30MB | 14MB | n/a | 20 | DDR5 / DDR4 | 2 | 128GB | 125 | 241 |
| i7-12700K Available here | 12 (8P + 4E) | 20 | 5 GHz | 4.9 GHz | 3.8 GHz | 3.6 GHz | 2.7 GHz | 25MB | 12MB | UHD Graphics 770 | 20 | DDR5 / DDR4 | 2 | 128GB | 125 | 190 |
| i7-12700KF Available here | 12 (8P + 4E) | 20 | 5 GHz | 4.9 GHz | 3.8 GHz | 3.6 GHz | 2.7 GHz | 25MB | 12MB | n/a | 20 | DDR5 / DDR4 | 2 | 128GB | 125 | 190 |
| i5-12600K Available here | 10 (6P + 4E) | 16 | 4.90 GHz | 4.9 GHz | 3.6 GHz | 3.7 GHz | 2.8 GHz | 20MB | 9.5MB | UHD Graphics 770 | 20 | DDR5 / DDR4 | 2 | 128GB | 125 | 150 |
| i5-12600KF Available here | 10 (6P + 4E) | 16 | 4.90 GHz | 4.9 GHz | 3.6 GHz | 3.7 GHz | 2.8 GHz | 20MB | 9.5MB | n/a | 20 | DDR5 / DDR4 | 2 | 128GB | 125 | 150 |
