Core i9-12900KF vs Core i9-9980XE

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-9980XE and Core i9-12900KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	282	164
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	9.11	54.59
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i9	Intel Core i9
Architecture codename	Sky Lake-X	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date	19 October 2018 (5 years ago)	4 November 2021 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,979	$564
Current price	$1129 (0.6x MSRP)	$475 (0.8x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-12900KF has 499% better value for money than i9-9980XE.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-9980XE 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	18 (Octadeca-Core)	16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads	36	24
Base clock speed	3 GHz	3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed	4.5 GHz	5.2 GHz
Bus support	no data	8 × 16 GT/s
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	80K (per core)
L2 cache	1 MB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache	24.75 MB (shared)	30 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	14 nm	Intel 7 nm
Die size	484 mm2	215.25 mm220.5 mm × 10.5 mm
Maximum core temperature	84 °C	100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	no data	72 °C
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	+
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-9980XE 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	FCLGA2066	FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)	165 Watt	125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-9980XE 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® AVX-512	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	no data	+
Thermal Monitoring	no data	+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	+	+
Status	Discontinued	Launched

Security technologies

Core i9-9980XE and Core i9-12900KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

EDB	+	+
Secure Key	no data	+
OS Guard	no data	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-9980XE and Core i9-12900KF are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-9980XE 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	4	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	85 GB/s	76.8 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card

N/A

no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-9980XE and Core i9-12900KF.

PCIe version	3.0	5.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes	44	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.

---

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 i9-9980XE by 41% based on our aggregated benchmark results.

---

Pros & cons summary

---

Performance score	18.67	26.36
Recency	19 October 2018	4 November 2021
Physical cores	18	16
Threads	36	24
Cost	$1979	$564
Power consumption (TDP)	165 Watt	125 Watt

---

Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-9980XE and Core i9-12900KF, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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

---