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Intel Core i9-12900F vs Intel Core i9-13900K: Comparison
Core i9-12900F vs Core i9-13900K: the total cores difference
These two are close on paper, and total cores is the only measure that separates them at all: Core i9-12900F 16 against Core i9-13900K 24. Core i9-13900K also leads on l3 cache, 30 MB on the Core i9-12900F versus 36 MB on the Core i9-13900K. Core i9-13900K also leads on l2 cache, 14 MB on the Core i9-12900F versus 32 MB on the Core i9-13900K.
Who each one is for
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. Take the Core i9-13900K for buyers on the mature LGA 1700 platform wanting flagship-tier Raptor Lake gaming and productivity performance at a lower price than the 14900K. Avoid it for new builds without an existing LGA 1700 investment, the newer Arrow Lake lineup offers better power efficiency on a fresh platform. 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. Our rating of the Core i9-13900K (8.3/10): the Intel Core i9-13900K is still a powerful 24-core desktop chip, now largely matched by its cheaper 14th-gen successors.
What Core i9-12900F and Core i9-13900K have in common
Where they agree, they agree completely, performance cores, socket, form factor, release year and market segment included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 7 further specifications as well.
Core i9-12900F vs Core i9-13900K price
Cost splits them too. Core i9-12900F sits at $464, Core i9-13900K at $589, 27% more.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core i9-12900F and Core i9-13900K differ on efficiency cores?
Yes. Efficiency Cores reads 8 on the Core i9-12900F versus 16 on the Core i9-13900K.
Is the SMT Enabled the same on the Core i9-12900F and Core i9-13900K?
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 i9-12900F
- Core
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Core i9
Form Factor
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Desktop
Model Number
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- i9-12900F
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 13900K
Codename
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Raptor Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 2022
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 2022
TDP
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 65 W
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 125 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- None
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
Market Segment
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Raptor Lake, 13th Gen Intel Core
Socket
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- FCLGA1700
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Mature
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- End of Life
Process Node
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 10 nm
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 10 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 16
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 24Best
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 8
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 8
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 16Best
Total Threads
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 24
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 32Best
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 2.4 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 3 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 5 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 5.4 GHz
E-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 1.8 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 2.2 GHz
E-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 3.8 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 4.3 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- No
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Yes
L2 Cache
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 14 MB-56%
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 32 MBBest
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 30 MB-17%
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 36 MBBest
Base Power
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 65 W
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 202 W
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 253 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- DDR5 or DDR4
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- DDR5 or DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 4800 MT/s
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 5600 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 2
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 192 GBBest
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- No
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Yes
Copilot Plus Certified
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- No
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- No
PCIe Generation
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 20
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 20
Launch MSRP
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- $464
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- $589
Retail Availability
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Boxed Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose 12900F if you want the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (20 vs 20).
Choose 13900K if you want the higher L2 cache (32 MB vs 14 MB) and the higher L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Intel Core i9-12900F | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $464.00 View on Amazon | $589.00 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 i9-12900F
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.
Intel Core i9-13900K
8.3 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i9-13900K is still a powerful 24-core desktop chip, now largely matched by its cheaper 14th-gen successors.