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Intel Core i9-12900 vs Intel Core i9-12900F: Comparison
What is the difference between Core i9-12900 and Core i9-12900F?
They are built to different briefs, and integrated graphics shows it, Core i9-12900 Yes against Core i9-12900F No. They differ on igpu too, Intel UHD Graphics 770 on the Core i9-12900 versus None on the Core i9-12900F.
Who each one is for
Buy the Core i9-12900 for desktop gaming and everyday productivity, though it is the wrong buy for laptops and fanless designs. The Core i9-12900F suits desktop gaming with discrete GPU and value desktop builds, though it is not the pick for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the Core i9-12900 (8.2/10): the Intel Core i9-12900 is a mainstream desktop processor, a solid all-rounder for gaming and productivity builds. Our rating of the Core i9-12900F (8.1/10): the Intel Core i9-12900F is a graphics-less desktop chip, a good value pick for builds already using a discrete GPU.
What Core i9-12900 and Core i9-12900F have in common
Everything else lines up. Total cores, performance cores, efficiency cores, total threads and p-core boost clock read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 26 further specifications as well.
Core i9-12900 vs Core i9-12900F price
Price will not decide this: $464 against $489 at the last check.
Frequently asked questions
Is the E-Core Boost Clock the same on the Core i9-12900 and Core i9-12900F?
It is. Both are listed at 3.8 GHz, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Product Line
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Core
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Core
Form Factor
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Desktop
Model Number
- Intel Core i9-12900
- i9-12900
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- i9-12900F
Codename
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Alder Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 2022
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 2022
TDP
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 65 W
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 65 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- None
Market Segment
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Alder Lake
Socket
- Intel Core i9-12900
- FCLGA1700
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Mature
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Mature
Process Node
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 10 nm
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 10 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 16
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 16
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 8
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 8
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 8
Total Threads
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 24
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 24
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 2.4 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 2.4 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 5 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 5 GHz
E-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 1.8 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 1.8 GHz
E-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 3.8 GHz
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 3.8 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- Intel Core i9-12900
- No
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- No
L2 Cache
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 14 MB
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 14 MB
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 30 MB
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 30 MB
Base Power
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 65 W
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 65 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 202 W
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 202 W
Bundled Cooler
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Intel Laminar RM1
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Intel Laminar RM1
Memory Type
- Intel Core i9-12900
- DDR5 or DDR4
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- DDR5 or DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 4800 MT/s
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 4800 MT/s
Memory Channels
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 2
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 128 GB
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- No
Copilot Plus Certified
- Intel Core i9-12900
- No
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- No
PCIe Generation
- Intel Core i9-12900
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 20
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 20
Launch MSRP
- Intel Core i9-12900
- $489
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- $464
Retail Availability
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Boxed Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose 12900 if you want the higher L2 cache (14 MB vs 14 MB), the higher L3 cache (30 MB vs 30 MB) and the higher memory channels (2 vs 2).
Choose 12900F if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Intel Core i9-12900 | Intel Core i9-12900F |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $489.00 View on Amazon | $464.00 View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Intel Core i9-12900
8.2 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i9-12900 is a mainstream desktop processor, a solid all-rounder for gaming and productivity builds.
Intel Core i9-12900F
8.1 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i9-12900F is a graphics-less desktop chip, a good value pick for builds already using a discrete GPU.