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Intel Core i9-12900 vs Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS: Comparison
What is the difference between Core i9-12900 and 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS?
On l3 cache the spread is 47%, Core i9-12900 30 MB against 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS 16 MB, so Core i9-12900 takes it. L2 cache runs the same way, 14 MB on the Core i9-12900 versus 2 MB on the 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS, another win for Core i9-12900. They differ on socket too, FCLGA1700 on the Core i9-12900 versus FCLGA1151 on the 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS. There is a split on socket status as well, Mature on the Core i9-12900 versus End of Life on the 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS.
Core i9-12900 vs 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS: which one fits your build
Buy the Core i9-12900 for desktop gaming and everyday productivity, though it is not built for laptops and fanless designs. Take the 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS for enthusiasts wanting Intel's genuine all-core 5.0 GHz binning achievement for sustained multi-threaded performance. Avoid it for budget-conscious buyers, the standard i9-9900K delivers very close real-world performance for typically less. 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.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, performance cores, p-core boost clock, integrated graphics, form factor and market segment included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 3 further specifications as well.
Which is cheaper, Core i9-12900 or 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS?
They cost within a few percent of each other, $489 versus $513 when we last looked.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core i9-12900 and 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 16 on the Core i9-12900 versus 8 on the 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS.
Is the SMT Enabled the same on the Core i9-12900 and 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS?
It is. Both are listed at Yes, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Product Line
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Core
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- Core i9
Form Factor
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Desktop
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- Desktop
Model Number
- Intel Core i9-12900
- i9-12900
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 9900KS
Codename
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Alder Lake
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- Coffee Lake Refresh
Release Year
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 2022
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 2019
TDP
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 65 W
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 127 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
Market Segment
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Desktop
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Alder Lake
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- Coffee Lake Refresh, 9th Gen Intel Core
Socket
- Intel Core i9-12900
- FCLGA1700
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- FCLGA1151
Socket Status
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Mature
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- End of Life
Process Node
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 10 nm
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 14 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 16Best
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 8
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 8
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 8Best
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 0
Total Threads
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 24Best
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 16
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Yes
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 2.4 GHz
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 4 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 5 GHz
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 5 GHz
L2 Cache
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 14 MBBest
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 2 MB-86%
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 30 MBBest
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 16 MB-47%
Base Power
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 65 W
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 127 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 202 W
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 127 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core i9-12900
- DDR5 or DDR4Best
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- DDR4-2666
Max Memory Speed
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 4800 MT/sBest
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 2666 MT/s
Memory Channels
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 2
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 2
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Yes
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- Yes
iGPU Model
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
Copilot Plus Certified
- Intel Core i9-12900
- No
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- No
PCIe Generation
- Intel Core i9-12900
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 3.0
PCIe Lanes
- Intel Core i9-12900
- 20
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 16-20%
Launch MSRP
- Intel Core i9-12900
- $489
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- $513
Retail Availability
- Intel Core i9-12900
- Boxed Retail
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose 12900 if you want the higher L2 cache (14 MB vs 2 MB), the higher L3 cache (30 MB vs 16 MB) and the higher memory channels (2 vs 2).
Choose 9900KS if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Intel Core i9-12900 | Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $489.00 View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | |
| Consumercarts listing | $513.00 View on Consumercarts listing |
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.