Core i9-12900KF vs Core i9-9900K

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-9900K and Core i9-12900KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	615	164
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	13.24	55.69
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Core i9 (Desktop)	Intel Core i9
Architecture codename	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date	19 October 2018 (5 years ago)	4 November 2021 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$488	$564
Current price	$372 (0.8x MSRP)	$445 (0.8x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-12900KF has 321% better value for money than i9-9900K.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-9900K and Core i9-12900KF 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 cores	8 (Octa-Core)	16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads	16	24
Base clock speed	3.6 GHz	3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed	5 GHz	5.2 GHz
Bus support	no data	8 × 16 GT/s
L1 cache	64K (per core)	80K (per core)
L2 cache	256K (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache	16 MB (shared)	30 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	14 nm	Intel 7 nm
Die size	178 mm2	215.25 mm220.5 mm × 10.5 mm
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	72 °C	72 °C
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	+
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-9900K and Core i9-12900KF 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 configuration	1	1
Socket	LGA-1151	FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)	95 Watt	125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-9900K and Core i9-12900KF. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
vPro	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Speed Shift	no data	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
TSX	+	no data
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
SIPP	+	no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	no data	+
Status	Discontinued	Launched

Security technologies

Core i9-9900K and Core i9-12900KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	+	no data
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	+	+
MPX	+	no data
Identity Protection	+	no data
SGX	Yes with Intel® ME	no data
OS Guard	+	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-9900K and Core i9-12900KF are enumerated here.

AMD-V	+	no data
VT-d	+	+
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-9900K and Core i9-12900KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size	128 GB	128 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	41.6 GB/s	76.8 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	Intel UHD Graphics 630	no data
Max video memory	64 GB	no data
Quick Sync Video	+	no data
Clear Video	+	no data
Clear Video HD	+	no data
Graphics max frequency	1.2 GHz	no data
InTru 3D	+	no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i9-9900K and Core i9-12900KF integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

3

no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i9-9900K and Core i9-12900KF integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support	+	no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	4096 x 2304@24Hz	no data
Max resolution over eDP	4096 x 2304@60Hz	no data
Max resolution over DisplayPort	4096 x 2304@60Hz	no data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i9-9900K and Core i9-12900KF integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX	12	no data
OpenGL	4.5	no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-9900K and Core i9-12900KF.

PCIe version	3.0	5.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes	16	20

Synthetic benchmark performance

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

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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.

Core i9-12900KF outperforms Core i9-9900K by 125% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	11.83	26.59
Recency	19 October 2018	4 November 2021
Physical cores	8	16
Threads	16	24
Cost	$488	$564
Power consumption (TDP)	95 Watt	125 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-9900K and Core i9-12900KF, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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