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Intel Core i9-12900T vs Intel Core i9-13900KS: Comparison
Core i9-12900T vs Core i9-13900KS total cores compared
There is no decisive spec gap here. Total cores splits them by a margin most buyers will never feel, Core i9-12900T 16 against Core i9-13900KS 24. Add l3 cache to that, 30 MB on the Core i9-12900T versus 36 MB on the Core i9-13900KS, and the pattern holds. Add l2 cache to that, 14 MB on the Core i9-12900T versus 32 MB on the Core i9-13900KS, and the pattern holds. P-core base clock is not the same on both, 1.4 GHz on the Core i9-12900T versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i9-13900KS. E-core base clock is not the same on both, 1.1 GHz on the Core i9-12900T versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i9-13900KS.
Which should you buy, Core i9-12900T or Core i9-13900KS?
The Core i9-12900T suits small-form-factor PCs and quiet builds, though it is not built for laptops and fanless designs. Buy the Core i9-13900KS for enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking, though it is not the pick for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the Core i9-12900T (7.8/10): the Intel Core i9-12900T is a low-power desktop chip built for compact and quiet small-form-factor systems. 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.
Where the two are identical
Everything else lines up. Performance cores, integrated graphics, socket, form factor and igpu read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 8 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core i9-12900T and Core i9-13900KS differ on efficiency cores?
Yes. Efficiency Cores reads 8 on the Core i9-12900T versus 16 on the Core i9-13900KS.
Is the Market Segment the same on the Core i9-12900T and Core i9-13900KS?
It is. Both are listed at Desktop, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Product Line
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- Core
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Core i9
Form Factor
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Desktop
Model Number
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- i9-12900T
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 13900KS
Codename
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Raptor Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 2022
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 2023
TDP
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 35 W
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 150 W
iGPU
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
Market Segment
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- Alder Lake
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Raptor Lake
Socket
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- FCLGA1700
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- Mature
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- End of Life
Process Node
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 10 nm
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 10 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 16
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 24Best
Performance Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 8
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 8
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 16Best
Total Threads
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 24
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 32Best
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 1.4 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 3.2 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 4.8 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 5.4 GHz
E-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 1.1 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 2.4 GHz
E-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 3.6 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 4.3 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- No
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Yes
L2 Cache
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 14 MB-56%
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 32 MBBest
L3 Cache
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 30 MB-17%
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 36 MBBest
Base Power
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 35 W
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 150 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 106 W
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 253 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- DDR5 or DDR4
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- DDR5 or DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 4800 MT/s
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 5600 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 2
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 192 GBBest
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Yes
iGPU Model
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
iGPU Compute Units
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 32
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 32
Copilot Plus Certified
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- No
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- No
PCIe Generation
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 5
PCIe Lanes
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- 20
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 20
Retail Availability
- Intel Core i9-12900T
- Tray OEM
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose 12900T 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) and the higher L3 cache (36 MB vs 30 MB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Intel Core i9-12900T | Intel Core i9-13900KS |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $689.00 View on Amazon | |
| 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 i9-12900T
7.8 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i9-12900T is a low-power desktop chip built for compact and quiet small-form-factor systems.
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.