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Intel Core i9-12900KF vs Intel Core i9-13900KF: Comparison
Core i9-12900KF vs Core i9-13900KF total cores compared
These two are close on paper, and total cores is the only measure that separates them at all: Core i9-12900KF 16 against Core i9-13900KF 24. Core i9-13900KF also leads on l3 cache, 30 MB on the Core i9-12900KF versus 36 MB on the Core i9-13900KF. Add l2 cache to that, 14 MB on the Core i9-12900KF versus 32 MB on the Core i9-13900KF, and the pattern holds. There is a split on p-core base clock as well, 3.2 GHz on the Core i9-12900KF versus 3 GHz on the Core i9-13900KF. E-core base clock is not the same on both, 2.4 GHz on the Core i9-12900KF versus 2.2 GHz on the Core i9-13900KF.
Who each one is for
Buy the Core i9-12900KF for enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking with discrete GPU, though it is not built for systems without a discrete GPU and fanless designs. The Core i9-13900KF is the one to take for enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking, though it is not the pick for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the Core i9-12900KF (7.8/10): the Intel Core i9-12900KF is an unlocked, GPU-less chip aimed at enthusiasts already running a discrete graphics card. Our rating of the Core i9-13900KF (8.7/10): the Intel Core i9-13900KF is an unlocked flagship desktop chip, a top pick for enthusiasts who want to overclock.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, performance cores, tdp, integrated graphics, socket and form factor included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 11 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core i9-12900KF and Core i9-13900KF differ on efficiency cores?
Yes. Efficiency Cores reads 8 on the Core i9-12900KF versus 16 on the Core i9-13900KF.
Is the iGPU the same on the Core i9-12900KF and Core i9-13900KF?
It is. Both are listed at None, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Product Line
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Core
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- Core i
Form Factor
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- Desktop
Model Number
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- i9-12900KF
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 13900KF
Codename
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- Raptor Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 2021
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 2022
TDP
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 125 W
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 125 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- None
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- None
Market Segment
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- Raptor Lake
Socket
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- FCLGA1700
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Mature
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- End of Life
Process Node
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 10 nm
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 10 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 16
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 24Best
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 8
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 8
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 16Best
Total Threads
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 24
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 32Best
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 3.2 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 3 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 5.1 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 5.4 GHz
E-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 2.4 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 2.2 GHz
E-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 3.9 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 4.3 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- Yes
L2 Cache
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 14 MB-56%
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 32 MBBest
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 30 MB-17%
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 36 MBBest
Base Power
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 125 W
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 241 W
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 253 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- DDR5 or DDR4
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- DDR5 or DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 4800 MT/s
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 5600 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 2
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 192 GBBest
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- No
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- No
Copilot Plus Certified
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- No
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- No
PCIe Generation
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- 20
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- 20
Launch MSRP
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- $564
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- $564
Retail Availability
- Intel Core i9-12900KF
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core i9-13900KF
- Boxed Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose 12900KF if you want the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (20 vs 20).
Choose 13900KF 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 i9-12900KF | Intel Core i9-13900KF |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $564.00 View on Amazon | $564.00 View on Amazon |
| 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 i9-12900KF
7.8 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i9-12900KF is an unlocked, GPU-less chip aimed at enthusiasts already running a discrete graphics card.
Intel Core i9-13900KF
8.7 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i9-13900KF is an unlocked flagship desktop chip, a top pick for enthusiasts who want to overclock.