Intel Core i9 12900KS 16-core LGA 1700

The i9-12900KS posts a 4,322 single-thread PassMark score, good for the 94th percentile in our database. It's a 16-core, 24-thread beast with a 5.5GHz boost clock that still crushes modern workloads. Just be ready for 241W of heat and no cooler in the box.

The 5.5GHz boost clock is the headline number here. It's the fastest out-of-the-box clock speed Intel shipped on a consumer desktop chip at the time, and it shows in the single-thread score of 4,322. That's a standout result, landing in the 94th percentile. For gaming and everyday responsiveness, this thing flies.

Multi-threaded work is where the hybrid architecture earns its keep. The 8 P-cores handle latency-sensitive tasks while the 8 E-cores chew through background threads. The 43,374 PassMark multi score puts it in the 91st percentile, which translates to excellent performance for video editing, compiling, and heavy multitasking. The 30MB of L3 cache and 14MB of L2 cache help keep those cores fed. DDR5 support with up to 128GB gives you room to grow, and PCIe 5.0 means you're ready for next-gen storage and GPUs.

Against the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the 12900KS holds its own in raw multi-threaded throughput but gives up ground in gaming efficiency. The 9800X3D's 3D V-Cache gives it an edge in cache-sensitive titles, while the 12900KS counters with higher clock speeds and more threads. The be quiet! Ryzen 3 Dark Rock Pro 5 isn't a CPU, so that comparison is moot. The MICRO CENTER 265KFPRO890WIFI bundle offers a newer platform with better efficiency, but the 12900KS still wins on raw single-thread punch. If you're building a productivity rig on a budget, the 12900KS at its lower price points is compelling. If you want the best gaming chip, the 9800X3D is the safer bet.

Pricing is all over the map. In the US, listings range from $213 to $590 across four vendors. That's a $377 spread, which is wild for the same chip. If you can find it near the low end, it's an absolute steal. At the high end, you're paying a premium for a chip that's now two generations old. The CAD market shows an even bigger gap, from $629 to $1,298. The affordability percentile of 14 tells the story: this was never a budget chip, and it still isn't. But at the right price, the performance per dollar is hard to beat.

The i9-12900KS posts a PassMark multi-thread score of 43,374 and a single-thread score of 4,322. That single-thread number lands in the 94th percentile of every desktop chip in our database, which means it's one of the best on the market for lightly threaded workloads. The multi-thread score sits at the 91st percentile, so it's not just a one-trick pony either. You get 16 cores (8 performance, 8 efficiency), 24 threads, and a 5.5GHz boost clock out of the box.

But here's the catch. This chip pulls 150W at base and up to 241W under turbo. That's a lot of heat to manage, and the efficiency score of 74.8/100 reflects it. Intel doesn't include a cooler in the box, so you'll need to budget for something serious. A 360mm AIO or a big air cooler is basically mandatory if you want to hit those boost clocks without thermal throttling.

If you're building a small form factor PC or a quiet workstation, look elsewhere. The 241W turbo draw and mediocre 74.8/100 efficiency score mean this chip needs serious cooling and a beefy power supply. Anyone who wants a plug-and-play upgrade without buying a separate cooler should also steer clear, since there's no stock cooler in the box. And if you're paying anywhere near the top of that $590 US price range, you're better off putting that money toward a newer platform with better efficiency and an upgrade path.

The i9-12900KS is a monster chip that still holds up in 2025. The 4,322 single-thread score and 43,374 multi-thread score put it in elite territory, and the 5.5GHz boost clock means it feels snappy in everything from gaming to heavy rendering. The heat and power draw are real concerns, and the lack of a stock cooler means you'll spend extra on cooling. But if you can find it at the lower end of that $213 to $590 US price range, it's one of the best performance-per-dollar deals on the used and clearance market right now.