Intel Core i9-12900KS vs Core i9-12900K

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Combined performance score

i9-12900K
26.94

Core i9-12900KS outperforms Core i9-12900K by 7% in our combined benchmark results.

General info

Comparing Core i9-12900K and Core i9-12900KS processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking150138
Place by popularity40not in top-100
Value for money56.5264.28
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i9no data
Architecture codenameAlder Lake-S (2022)Alder Lake-S (2022)
Release date4 November 2021 (2 years old)5 April 2022 (1 year old)
Launch price (MSRP)$589no data
Current price$478 (0.8x MSRP)$458
Value for money

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-12900KS has 14% better value for money than i9-12900K.

Technical specs

Core i9-12900K and Core i9-12900KS basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores16 (Hexadeca-Core)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads2424
Base clock speed3.2 GHz3.4 GHz
Boost clock speed5.2 GHz5.3 GHz
L1 cache80K (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache1.25 MB (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache30 MB (shared)30 MB (shared)
Chip lithography10 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size215.25 mm2"20.5 mm × 10.5 mm215 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C90 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplierYesYes

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-12900K and Core i9-12900KS compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCLGA1700FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)125 Watt150 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-12900K and Core i9-12900KS. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shift++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSXno data+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
SIPP+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0++
StatusLaunchedLaunched

Security technologies

Core i9-12900K and Core i9-12900KS technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Key++
OS Guard++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-12900K and Core i9-12900KS are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-12900K and Core i9-12900KS. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4, DDR5DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth76.8 GB/s76.8 GB/s
ECC memory support++

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel UHD Graphics 770Intel UHD Graphics 770
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.55 GHz1.55 GHz
Execution Units3232

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i9-12900K and Core i9-12900KS integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported44

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i9-12900K and Core i9-12900KS integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2160 @ 60Hz4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDP5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i9-12900K and Core i9-12900KS integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX1212
OpenGL4.54.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-12900K and Core i9-12900KS.

PCIe version5.0 and 4.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes2020

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i9-12900K 26.94
i9-12900KS 28.75
+6.7%

Core i9-12900KS outperforms Core i9-12900K by 7% in our combined benchmark results.


Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Benchmark coverage: 68%

i9-12900K 41378
i9-12900KS 44155
+6.7%

Core i9-12900KS outperforms Core i9-12900K by 7% in Passmark.

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i9-12900K 2621
i9-12900KS 2690
+2.6%

Core i9-12900KS outperforms Core i9-12900K by 3% in GeekBench 5 Single-Core.

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i9-12900K 15453
i9-12900KS 16184
+4.7%

Core i9-12900KS outperforms Core i9-12900K by 5% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.

Gaming performance

Advantages and disadvantages


Performance score 26.94 28.75
Recency 4 November 2021 5 April 2022
Power consumption (TDP) 125 Watt 150 Watt

We couldn't decide between Core i9-12900K and Core i9-12900KS. The differences in performance seem too small.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-12900K and Core i9-12900KS, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

User ratings

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i9-12900K
Core i9-12900K
Intel Core i9-12900KS
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Questions and comments

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