Intel Core i9-12900KF vs Intel Core i9-12900K

CPU comparison with benchmarks

Intel Core i9-12900KF		Intel Core i9-12900K
CPU comparison In this CPU comparison, we compare the Intel Core i9-12900KF and the Intel Core i9-12900K and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster. We compare the Intel Core i9-12900KF 16 core processor released in Q4/2021 with the Intel Core i9-12900K which has 16 CPU cores and was introduced in Q4/2021.
Intel Core i9 (78)	Family	Intel Core i9 (78)
Intel Core i 12000 (34)	CPU group	Intel Core i 12000 (34)
12	Generation	12
Alder Lake S	Architecture	Alder Lake S
Desktop / Server	Segment	Desktop / Server
Intel Core i9-11900KF	Predecessor	Intel Core i9-11900K
Intel Core i9-13900KF	Successor	Intel Core i9-13900K
CPU Cores and Base Frequency The Intel Core i9-12900KF is a 16 core processor with a clock frequency of 3.20 GHz (5.20 GHz). The processor can compute 24 threads at the same time. The Intel Core i9-12900K clocks with 3.20 GHz (5.20 GHz), has 16 CPU cores and can calculate 24 threads in parallel.
Intel Core i9-12900KF	Characteristic	Intel Core i9-12900K
16	Cores	16
24	Threads	24
hybrid (big.LITTLE)	Core architecture	hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Yes	Hyperthreading	Yes
Yes	Overclocking ?	Yes
3.20 GHz (5.20 GHz) 8x Golden Cove	A-Core	3.20 GHz (5.20 GHz) 8x Golden Cove
2.40 GHz (3.90 GHz) 8x Gracemont	B-Core	2.40 GHz (3.90 GHz) 8x Gracemont
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Processors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. Algorithms for ML improve their performance the more data they have collected via software. ML tasks can be processed up to 10,000 times faster than with a classic processor.
Intel Core i9-12900KF	Characteristic	Intel Core i9-12900K
--	AI hardware	--
--	AI specifications	--
Internal Graphics Graphics (iGPU) integrated into the processor not only enable image output without having to rely on a dedicated graphics solution, but can also efficiently accelerate video playback.
no iGPU	GPU	Intel UHD Graphics 770
	GPU frequency	0.30 GHz
--	GPU (Turbo)	1.55 GHz
--	GPU Generation	11
	Technology	10 nm
	Max. displays	3
--	Compute units	32
--	Shader	256
No	Hardware Raytracing	No
No	Frame Generation	No
--	Max. GPU Memory	64 GB
--	DirectX Version	12
Hardware codec support A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
no iGPU	GPU	Intel UHD Graphics 770
No	Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit)	Decode / Encode
No	Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit)	Decode / Encode
No	Codec h264	Decode / Encode
No	Codec VP9	Decode / Encode
No	Codec VP8	Decode / Encode
No	Codec AV1	Decode
No	Codec AVC	Decode / Encode
No	Codec VC-1	Decode
No	Codec JPEG	Decode / Encode

Memory & PCIe Up to 128 GB of memory in a maximum of 2 memory channels is supported by the Intel Core i9-12900KF, while the Intel Core i9-12900K supports a maximum of 128 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s enabled.
Intel Core i9-12900KF	Characteristic	Intel Core i9-12900K
DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200	Memory	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
128 GB	Max. Memory	128 GB
2 (Dual Channel)	Memory channels	2 (Dual Channel)
76.8 GB/s	Max. Bandwidth	76.8 GB/s
No	ECC	Yes
14.00 MB	L2 Cache	14.00 MB
30.00 MB	L3 Cache	30.00 MB
5.0	PCIe version	5.0
20	PCIe lanes	20
78.8 GB/s	PCIe Bandwidth	78.8 GB/s
Thermal Management The Intel Core i9-12900KF has a TDP of 125 W. The TDP of the Intel Core i9-12900K is 125 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution.
Intel Core i9-12900KF	Characteristic	Intel Core i9-12900K
125 W	TDP (PL1 / PBP)	125 W
241 W	TDP (PL2)	241 W
--	TDP up	--
--	TDP down	--
100 °C	Tjunction max.	100 °C
Technical details The Intel Core i9-12900KF has 44.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 10 nm. The cache of Intel Core i9-12900K is at 44.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 10 nm.
Intel Core i9-12900KF	Characteristic	Intel Core i9-12900K
10 nm	Technology	10 nm
Monolithic	Chip design	Monolithic
x86-64 (64 bit)	Instruction set (ISA)	x86-64 (64 bit)
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+	ISA extensions	SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+
LGA 1700	Socket	LGA 1700
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d	Virtualization	VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
Yes	AES-NI	Yes
Windows 10, Windows 11, Linux	Operating systems	Windows 10, Windows 11, Linux
Q4/2021	Release date	Q4/2021
564 $	Release price	589 $
show more data		show more data
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Devices using this processor
Intel Core i9-12900KF	Intel Core i9-12900K
Unknown	Unknown

News and articles for the Intel Core i9-12900KF and the Intel Core i9-12900K

Comparison of the two processors

The comparison between the Intel Core i9-12900KF and the Intel Core i9-12900K is actually quick, but I still managed to write a few words about the technical details of these CPUs.

The two processors came onto the market at the end of 2021 and are based on Intel's Alder Lake S architecture. With this architecture, Intel has managed to have the fastest mainstream processor on the market again, after the biggest competitor AMD has set the tone with its Ryzen processor for the past few years.

For the first time, Intel is using a big.LITTLE architecture, with 8 of the 16 built-in cores being high-performance cores and the remaining 8 being energy-saving cores. The clock rates are identical at 3.20 gigahertz (standard clock) and 5.20 gigahertz (turbo clock). Hyperthreading technology is only supported by the high-performance cores, which means that the processors have up to 24 threads at their disposal.

The only difference between the two processors is that the Intel Core i9-12900KF does not have an internal graphics unit, but the Intel Core i9-12900K uses the Intel UHD Graphics 770. This iGPU has 32 execution and 256 shader units and clocks at up to 1.55 gigahertz. The 11th generation Intel iGPU has an FP32 computing power (single precision) of 794 GigaFLOPS.

DDR4-3200 and DDR5-4800 modules are supported for RAM. Slower RAM modules can also be installed, faster modules can work but are not officially supported. The processors have 2 memory channels with which up to 128 gigabytes of RAM can be operated. ECC memory is not supported.

The processors each have 20 type 5.0 PCIe lines, which can be used to connect compatible expansion cards.

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