HIGHLIGHTS
- The Intel Core i9-12900KS has a 16-core architecture.
- The new processor is quite close to the old Core i9-12900K processor.
- With this new model, Intel may give AMD a run for its money.
The Intel Core i9-12900KS has launched as the chipmaker's latest top-end desktop CPU to compete with AMD. Intel boasts that its latest product is the "world's fastest desktop CPU," with a maximum turbo frequency of 5.5GHz. The Intel Core i9-12900KS is technically an unlocked variant of the current Core i9-12900K. It has the same 16-core architecture as the ordinary flagship Core i9 CPU, as well as 24 threads. However, Intel has increased the basic power from 125W on the Core i9-12900K to 150W in order to give a quicker clock speed on up to two cores.
Intel Core i9-12900KS price, availability
The Intel Core i9-12900KS begins at $739 (about Rs. 56,100) and will be available on April 5. Details on the Core i9-12900KS cost in India will be published at a later date.
The Intel Core i9-12900K was released last year with a starting price of $589. (roughly Rs. 44,700).
Intel Core i9-12900KS specifications
The Intel Core i9-12900KS was announced at CES 2022 in January as a special edition CPU aimed for enthusiasts and gamers aiming to "maximise performance" on their PCs. The CPU can reach 5.5GHz on up to two cores, which is faster than the ordinary 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900K processor's maximum clock speed of 5.2GHz.
Along with the higher highest turbo frequency, the Core i9-12900KS includes Intel Thermal Velocity Boost technology, which enables overclocking while while keeping the processor's temperature stable. According to the business, the new chip also has Intel Adaptive Boost Technology, which improves gaming performance by permitting greater multi-core turbo rates.
The Core i9-12900KS, like the Core i9-12900K, features a 16-core design with eight P-cores and eight E-cores.
The Intel Core i9-12900KS also supports DDR5 4800 MT/s and DDR4 3200 MT/s memory. It is also backwards compatible with current Z690 motherboards and supports PCIe Gen 5.0 and 4.0.
By introducing the Core i9-12900KS, Intel is effectively providing professional gamers with another option. The new CPU will compete with AMD's Ryzen 7 5800X3D, which will be available in April. AMD bills the new Ryzen model as the "world's fastest gaming CPU," despite the fact that it has a maximum boosted clock speed of 4.5GHz, which is less than the 5.5GHz top speed offered by the Intel counterpart.
The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D, on the other hand, includes a newly built 3D-stacking V-Cache technology that allows for an L3 cache of up to 96MB. In contrast, the Core i9-12900KS has a 30MB cache.
Having said that, we have yet to test both processors' real-world performance to determine how excellent they may be for their respective target markets.
Along with the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, AMD's top chip is the 16-core Ryzen 9 5950X, which might give the newest Intel CPU a run for its money. The Ryzen 9 variant includes 16 cores and a maximum clock speed of 4.9GHz, as well as 64MB L3 cache and a 105W base power that can be increased to 142W.
