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Intel Core i9-12900K vs Intel Core i9-13900KS: Comparison
What is the difference between Core i9-12900K and Core i9-13900KS?
Expect a near tie. The closest thing to a difference is total cores, Core i9-12900K 16 against Core i9-13900KS 24. Blender Cycles (CPU) backs the spec sheet up. Core i9-13900KS scores 507 to 354 over 12 runs, 30% clear. Add l3 cache to that, 30 MB on the Core i9-12900K versus 36 MB on the Core i9-13900KS, and the pattern holds. Add l2 cache to that, 14 MB on the Core i9-12900K versus 32 MB on the Core i9-13900KS, and the pattern holds. There is a split on socket status as well, Mature on the Core i9-12900K versus End of Life on the Core i9-13900KS.
Core i9-12900K vs Core i9-13900KS: which one fits your build
Buy the Core i9-12900K for enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking, though it is not built for laptops and fanless designs. The Core i9-13900KS suits enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking, though it is the wrong buy for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the Core i9-12900K (7.9/10): the Intel Core i9-12900K is an unlocked overclockable chip, well suited to enthusiast gaming and productivity builds. Our rating of the Core i9-13900KS (8.7/10): the Intel Core i9-13900KS is an unlocked flagship desktop chip, a top pick for enthusiasts who want to overclock.
What Core i9-12900K and Core i9-13900KS have in common
The common ground is wider than the gap: performance cores, p-core base clock, e-core base clock, integrated graphics and socket are identical here. They match on 11 further specifications as well.
Core i9-12900K vs Core i9-13900KS price
The Core i9-13900KS asks 17% more, $689 against $589 for the Core i9-12900K.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core i9-12900K and Core i9-13900KS differ on efficiency cores?
Yes. Efficiency Cores reads 8 on the Core i9-12900K versus 16 on the Core i9-13900KS.
Is the Form Factor the same on the Core i9-12900K and Core i9-13900KS?
It is. Both are listed at Desktop, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Which is cheaper, Core i9-12900K or Core i9-13900KS?
The Core i9-13900KS asks 17% more, $689 against $589 for the Core i9-12900K.
Specs and benchmarks
Product Line
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Core
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Core i9
Form Factor
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Desktop
Model Number
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- i9-12900K
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 13900KS
Codename
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Raptor Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 2021
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 2023
TDP
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 125 W
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 150 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
Market Segment
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Raptor Lake
Socket
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- FCLGA1700
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Mature
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- End of Life
Process Node
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 10 nm
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 10 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 16
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 24Best
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 8
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 8
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 16Best
Total Threads
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 24
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 32Best
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 3.2 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 3.2 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 5.1 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 5.4 GHz
E-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 2.4 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 2.4 GHz
E-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 3.9 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 4.3 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Yes
L2 Cache
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 14 MB-56%
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 32 MBBest
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 30 MB-17%
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 36 MBBest
Base Power
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 125 W
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 150 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 241 W
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 253 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- DDR5 or DDR4
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- DDR5 or DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 4800 MT/s
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 5600 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 2
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 192 GBBest
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Yes
iGPU Model
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
iGPU Compute Units
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 32
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 32
Copilot Plus Certified
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- No
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- No
PCIe Generation
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 5
PCIe Lanes
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 20
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 20
Launch MSRP
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- $589
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- $689
Retail Availability
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Retail
Benchmarks
- 3D Rendering
Blender Cycles (CPU)
- Intel Core i9-12900K
- 354-30%
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 507Best
Blender 4.5, Blender Open Data (CC0). Median of monster + junkshop + classroom, combined samples/min.
Renders a 3D scene using every core. Shows speed for 3D and rendering work, not gaming.
Which one should you pick?
Choose 12900K if you want the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (20 vs 20).
Choose 13900KS if you want the higher L2 cache (32 MB vs 14 MB), the higher L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB) and the higher blender cycles (CPU) (507 vs 354).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Intel Core i9-12900K | Intel Core i9-13900KS |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $589.00 View on Amazon | $689.00 View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
| B&H Photo | View on B&H Photo |
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 i9-12900K
7.9 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i9-12900K is an unlocked overclockable chip, well suited to enthusiast gaming and productivity builds.
Intel Core i9-13900KS
8.7 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i9-13900KS is an unlocked flagship desktop chip, a top pick for enthusiasts who want to overclock.