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Intel Core i9-12900F vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF: Comparison
Core i9-12900F vs Core Ultra 7 265KF: the total cores difference
Expect a near tie. The closest thing to a difference is total cores, Core i9-12900F 16 against Core Ultra 7 265KF 20. Core Ultra 7 265KF also leads on l2 cache, 14 MB on the Core i9-12900F versus 36 MB on the Core Ultra 7 265KF. There is a split on e-core base clock as well, 1.8 GHz on the Core i9-12900F versus 3.3 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 265KF. There is a split on tdp as well, 65 W on the Core i9-12900F versus 125 W on the Core Ultra 7 265KF.
Core i9-12900F vs Core Ultra 7 265KF: which one fits your build
Buy the Core i9-12900F for desktop gaming with discrete GPU and value desktop builds, though it is not the pick for laptops and fanless designs. The Core Ultra 7 265KF suits desktop gaming and everyday productivity, though it is not built for laptops and fanless designs. 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 Ultra 7 265KF (8.5/10): the Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF is a flagship unlocked desktop Arrow Lake-S processor, a solid pick for overclocking enthusiasts.
What Core i9-12900F and Core Ultra 7 265KF have in common
The common ground is wider than the gap: performance cores, l3 cache, integrated graphics, form factor and igpu are identical here. They match on 5 further specifications as well.
Core i9-12900F vs Core Ultra 7 265KF price
At the last price check the Core Ultra 7 265KF was $379 and the Core i9-12900F $464, a 22% premium.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core i9-12900F and Core Ultra 7 265KF differ on efficiency cores?
Yes. Efficiency Cores reads 8 on the Core i9-12900F versus 12 on the Core Ultra 7 265KF.
Is the Market Segment the same on the Core i9-12900F and Core Ultra 7 265KF?
It is. Both are listed at Desktop, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Desktop
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Desktop
Codename
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Arrow Lake-S
Release Year
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 2022
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 2024
TDP
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 65 W
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 125 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- None
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- None
Market Segment
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Desktop
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Arrow Lake-S
Socket
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- FCLGA1700
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- FCLGA1851
Socket Status
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Mature
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Current
Process Node
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 10 nm
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 3 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 16
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 20Best
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 8
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 8
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 12Best
Total Threads
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 24Best
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 20
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- No
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 2.4 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 3.9 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 5 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 5.4 GHz
E-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 1.8 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 3.3 GHz
E-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 3.8 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 4.6 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- No
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Yes
L2 Cache
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 14 MB-61%
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 36 MBBest
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 30 MB
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 30 MB
Base Power
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 65 W
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 202 W
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 250 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- DDR5 or DDR4
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- DDR5
Max Memory Speed
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 4800 MT/s
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 6400 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 2
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 128 GB
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 256 GBBest
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- No
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- No
Copilot Plus Certified
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- No
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- No
PCIe Generation
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- 20-17%
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 24
Launch MSRP
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- $464
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- $379
Retail Availability
- Intel Core i9-12900F
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Boxed Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose 12900F if you want the higher L3 cache (30 MB vs 30 MB) and the higher memory channels (2 vs 2).
Choose 265KF if you want the higher L2 cache (36 MB vs 14 MB) and the higher PCIe lanes (24 vs 20).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Intel Core i9-12900F | Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $464.00 View on Amazon | $379.00 View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
| Micro Center | View on Micro Center |
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 Ultra 7 265KF
8.5 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF is a flagship unlocked desktop Arrow Lake-S processor, a solid pick for overclocking enthusiasts.