i9-12900KF vs i9-9900KF

Primary details

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

Place in the ranking	688	193
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	8.43	38.50
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i9	Intel Core i9
Power efficiency	11.42	19.58
Architecture codename	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date	8 January 2019 (5 years ago)	4 November 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$488	$564

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-12900KF has 357% better value for money than i9-9900KF.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-9900KF 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)
Performance-cores	no data	8
Efficient-cores	no data	8
Threads	16	24
Base clock speed	3.6 GHz	3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed	5 GHz	5.2 GHz
Bus type	DMI 3.0	DMI 4.0
Bus rate	4 × 8 GT/s	8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplier	no data	32
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	no data	215.25 mm2
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	72 °C	72 °C
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	+
Unlocked multiplier	+	+

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-9900KF 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 (Uniprocessor)	1
Socket	FCLGA1151	FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)	95 Watt	125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-9900KF 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	no data	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Speed Shift	no data	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
TSX	+	-
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	no data	+
Deep Learning Boost	-	+

Security technologies

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

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

Virtualization technologies

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

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

Memory specs

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

Supported memory types	DDR4-2666	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size	128 GB	128 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	42.671 GB/s	76.805 GB/s

Peripherals

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

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	11.47	25.88
Recency	8 January 2019	4 November 2021
Physical cores	8	16
Threads	16	24
Power consumption (TDP)	95 Watt	125 Watt

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

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