It’s an exciting time when it comes to CPUs with the much-heralded AMD 9800X3D hitting the market shortly after Intel’s own flagship Core Ultra 9 285K was released. The new generation CPUs promise much, but for those who are looking for an upgrade but either can’t afford the new tech or prefer to wait a while until the jury is in, this could be the perfect time to take advantage of the discounts on their current models. Plus, the new 9800X3D has already sold out on multiple large retailers.
The Intel Core i9-12900KS Alder Lake is the improved special edition version of the i9-12900K, and although it has been superseded by the Intel Core Ultra 9 (and 13th & 14-gen before it), it still boasts plenty of performance-enhancing features including support for the latest PCIe 5.0, DDR5 memory, and robust cooling design. Thanks to the release of newer generations, you can now secure the i9-12900KS Alder Lake at its lowest-ever price.
Intel Core i9-12900KS Alder Lake CPU
Back in October, the i9-12900KS would have set you back $383.82, but you can currently pick one up on Amazon for only $354.75 – that’s the lowest price we’ve ever seen on this product. Let’s take a look at the features of this CPU that make it worth considering.
Features and highlights of the Intel Core i9-12900KS Alder Lake
- 12th Gen Alder Lake Architecture: Built on Intel’s 10nm process, this CPU brings a hybrid core design that combines Performance Cores (P-Cores) for intensive tasks and Efficiency Cores (E-Cores) for lighter workloads.
- Boosted Clock Speeds: The i9-12900KS is the “Special Edition” version of the 12900K and boasts higher clock speeds of 3.4 GHz (P-Cores) and 2.5 GHz (E-Cores) with Max Turbo Frequencies of up to 5.5 GHz (P-Cores) and up to 4.0GHz (E-Cores), making this CPU ideal for handling demanding games and applications.
- 30MB Intel Smart Cache (L3): The processor features a large 30MB L3 cache, which provides fast access to frequently used data. This helps reduce latency and improves performance across various applications, from gaming to data-heavy workloads.
- Unlocked for Overclocking: The 12900KS is unlocked, allowing for overclocking on Z690 and Z790 motherboards. Users can push the processor beyond its rated speeds, provided they have adequate cooling and power supply.
- DDR4 and DDR5 Memory Support: One of Alder Lake’s key features is its support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The i9-12900KS can utilize either type, depending on the motherboard, allowing users to either stick with DDR4 to save on costs or upgrade to DDR5 for better memory bandwidth.
- PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 4.0 Support: The i9-12900KS supports PCIe 5.0 for the highest data transfer rates available, benefiting future graphics cards and NVMe SSDs.
Is this Intel Core i9-12900KS Alder Lake CPU deal worth it?
The i9-12900KS certainly still has a lot going for it, and with a record low price, it’s currently a great time to invest in one, (if the specs still meet your needs). The AMD 9800X3D is performing better than the latest iteration from Intel, and so for the more cautious Intel fans, it may be worth sticking to a popular, tried and tested CPU like the i9-12900KS just so long as it matches your upgrade requirements, especially if you are looking to save some money.
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