Intel · Core

Core i9-12900K

Released November 2021

A sixteen-core Alder Lake desktop processor for demanding threaded workloads and gaming on LGA1700.

Cores: 16/24
Boost: 5.2 GHz
L3: 30 MB
Power: 125 W
Socket: LGA1700

Unlocked

What reviewers say

Reviews praise its large gains in gaming and threaded work over earlier Intel flagships. It competes closely with the Ryzen 9 5950X, with results varying by application. High power consumption and demanding cooling under sustained multi-core loads are the main drawbacks, while cheaper Core i5 models offer better value for gaming.

From techspot.com, pcgamer.com and techradar.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Cores and clocks

Cores: 16 (8 performance, 8 efficiency)
Threads: 24
Base clock: 3.2 GHz
Boost clock: 5.2 GHz
L3 cache: 30 MB
Cores: 8 P-cores and 8 E-cores; 24 threads. Intel Thread Director supported.
Clocks: P-cores: 3.2 GHz base, up to 5.1 GHz Turbo Boost 2.0 and 5.2 GHz Turbo Boost Max 3.0; E-cores: 2.4 GHz base, up to 3.9 GHz turbo.
Cache: 30 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3); 14 MB total L2.

Graphics and AI

Built-in graphics: Yes
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 770; 32 execution units; 300 MHz base, up to 1.55 GHz; Quick Sync Video; up to four displays.

Platform

Socket: LGA1700
Base power: 125 W
Maximum power: 241 W
Unlocked: Yes
Cooler in the box: No
Memory support: Up to 128 GB; two channels; DDR5-4800 or DDR4-3200; 76.8 GB/s; ECC supported with an appropriate platform.
PCIe: PCIe 5.0 and 4.0; 20 CPU lanes: 1 × 16 + 4 or 2 × 8 + 4; DMI 4.0 × 8.
Process: Intel 7; Alder Lake; 45 × 37.5 mm package; 100°C maximum junction temperature.
Cooler: No cooler included with the boxed K processor (Intel support).

Pros and cons

Pros

Eight performance cores and eight efficiency cores
Unlocked CPU multiplier
DDR4 or DDR5 memory support

Cons

Cooler sold separately
Up to 241 W maximum turbo power
Requires an LGA1700 motherboard

Closest rivals

Model	Cores	Boost	L3	Power	Socket	Released
AMDRyzen 9 5950X	16/32	4.9 GHz	64 MB	105 W	AM4	Nov 2020
AMDRyzen 9 7950X	16/32	5.7 GHz	64 MB	170 W	AM5	Sept 2022
IntelCore i7-13700K	16/24	5.4 GHz	30 MB	125 W	LGA1700	Oct 2022

Newer model: Core i9-13900K.

Sources

Photo: Intel Corporation, official 12th Gen desktop press archive member 12th-Gen-Core-Photos/Intel-12th-Gen-Core-4.jpg. Premium Core i9-12900K retail package with golden wafer case; exact packaging confirmed by Intel support article 000088428. Reviewed exterior alpha; original package pixels preserved.

Spot a mistake? Tell us