Intel BX8071512900KS

The i9-12900KS hits 5.5GHz boost and posts a 43,374 PassMark multi-core score, landing in the 91st percentile for multi-threaded work and 94th for single-core. It's one of the fastest desktop chips we've tracked, but it pulls 241W under turbo and runs hot. Buy it for the speed, budget for the cooling.

The headline number is 5.5GHz boost on the P-cores, which is the highest Intel shipped on Alder Lake. Our single-thread percentile of 94 means this thing is near the top of the charts for tasks that lean on one fast core, like older games or lightly threaded apps. The 4,322 single-core PassMark score backs that up. For multi-threaded work, the 43,374 score puts it in the 91st percentile, so it's a strong performer for video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking. The 30MB of L3 cache and 14MB of L2 help keep those 24 threads fed.

Memory support is DDR5 only, dual-channel, up to 128GB with ECC. That's a forward-looking platform with PCIe 5.0 support, which matters if you're planning to drop in a next-gen GPU or NVMe drive later. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 is fine for troubleshooting or a basic display output, but nobody's buying this chip for the iGPU. The platform score sits at the 92nd percentile, so the LGA 1700 ecosystem around it is mature and well-supported.

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the obvious modern rival, and it beats the 12900KS in gaming workloads thanks to its 3D V-Cache, though the Intel chip holds its own in raw multi-threaded productivity. The 12900KS also has an edge in single-core speed against most older parts, but it gives up efficiency badly. Against something like the MICRO CENTER 265KFPRO890WIFI bundle, you're comparing a proven high-clocker to a newer platform with better power characteristics. The 12900KS makes the most sense if you find it cheap and already have an LGA 1700 board, or if you're specifically avoiding the stability issues some users report with newer Intel chips.

Pricing is all over the place depending on where you shop. 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 of that range, it's a steal. At the high end, you're paying launch-day money for a chip that's now a generation or two old. In Canada, the spread is even wider at CAD 629 to CAD 1,298. The affordability percentile of 15 tells the story: this was never a budget part, and it still isn't. But if you catch a sale, the performance per dollar flips dramatically.

The i9-12900KS posts a PassMark multi-core score of 43,374 and a single-core score of 4,322. That single-core number lands in the 94th percentile of our database, which means this chip is one of the best on the market for raw per-core speed. The multi-core score sits at the 91st percentile, so it's also a standout for heavy workloads like rendering and video editing. You get 16 cores (8 performance, 8 efficiency) and 24 threads, with a 5.5GHz boost clock that Intel bins specifically for this Special Edition part.

But here's the thing: this is a 150W TDP chip that can pull 241W under turbo. That's a lot of heat, and the efficiency score of 74.9/100 reflects it. Owners consistently mention needing serious cooling, and Intel doesn't include a stock cooler in the box. If you're coming from a 14900K that kept crashing, several reviewers say this chip is a stable downgrade that saves money while barely losing gaming FPS.

If you're building a small form factor PC or care about power efficiency, look elsewhere. The 241W turbo draw and 74.9/100 efficiency score mean this chip will fight you in a tight case. Budget builders should also skip it, the affordability percentile of 15 says it all. And if you're not willing to spend extra on a decent cooler, you'll be fighting thermal throttling from day one. The lack of a stock cooler isn't a minor omission, it's a signal that Intel expects you to bring serious cooling to the table.

The i9-12900KS is a speed demon with a heat problem. Our data shows it's a top-tier performer in single and multi-threaded workloads, and owners consistently call it the fastest desktop chip they've used. The catch is that 241W turbo draw and the lack of a stock cooler. If you're willing to invest in a good AIO or high-end air cooler, and you find it at a reasonable price, this chip still delivers. The 4.6-star average across 431 reviews backs up the performance claims. Just don't expect it to sip power.