Intel Core i9-13900K vs Intel Core i9-12900K

CPU comparison with benchmarks

Intel Core i9-13900K		Intel Core i9-12900K
CPU comparison In this CPU comparison, we compare the Intel Core i9-13900K and the Intel Core i9-12900K and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster. We compare the Intel Core i9-13900K 24 core processor released in Q4/2022 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 13000 (17)	CPU group	Intel Core i 12000 (34)
13	Generation	12
Raptor Lake S	Architecture	Alder Lake S
Desktop / Server	Segment	Desktop / Server
Intel Core i9-12900K	Predecessor	Intel Core i9-11900K
Intel Core i9-14900K	Successor	Intel Core i9-13900K
CPU Cores and Base Frequency The Intel Core i9-13900K is a 24 core processor with a clock frequency of 3.00 GHz (5.80 GHz). The processor can compute 32 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 i9-13900K	Characteristic	Intel Core i9-12900K
24	Cores	16
32	Threads	24
hybrid (big.LITTLE)	Core architecture	hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Yes	Hyperthreading	Yes
Yes	Overclocking ?	Yes
3.00 GHz (5.80 GHz) 8x Raptor Cove	A-Core	3.20 GHz (5.20 GHz) 8x Golden Cove
2.20 GHz (4.30 GHz) 16x 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 i9-13900K	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.
Intel UHD Graphics 770	GPU	Intel UHD Graphics 770
0.30 GHz	GPU frequency	0.30 GHz
1.65 GHz	GPU (Turbo)	1.55 GHz
11	GPU Generation	11
10 nm	Technology	10 nm
3	Max. displays	3
32	Compute units	32
256	Shader	256
No	Hardware Raytracing	No
No	Frame Generation	No
64 GB	Max. GPU Memory	64 GB
12	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.
Intel UHD Graphics 770	GPU	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Decode / Encode	Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit)	Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode	Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit)	Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode	Codec h264	Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode	Codec VP9	Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode	Codec VP8	Decode / Encode
Decode	Codec AV1	Decode
Decode / Encode	Codec AVC	Decode / Encode
Decode	Codec VC-1	Decode
Decode / Encode	Codec JPEG	Decode / Encode

Memory & PCIe Up to 192 GB of memory in a maximum of 2 memory channels is supported by the Intel Core i9-13900K, 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 i9-13900K	Characteristic	Intel Core i9-12900K
DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200	Memory	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
192 GB	Max. Memory	128 GB
2 (Dual Channel)	Memory channels	2 (Dual Channel)
89.6 GB/s	Max. Bandwidth	76.8 GB/s
Yes	ECC	Yes
32.00 MB	L2 Cache	14.00 MB
36.00 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 i9-13900K 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 i9-13900K	Characteristic	Intel Core i9-12900K
125 W	TDP (PL1 / PBP)	125 W
253 W	TDP (PL2)	241 W
--	TDP up	--
--	TDP down	--
100 °C	Tjunction max.	100 °C
Technical details The Intel Core i9-13900K has 68.00 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 i9-13900K	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
Q4/2022	Release date	Q4/2021
589 $	Release price	589 $
show more data		show more data
Intel Core i9-13900K 24C 32T @ 3.00 GHz (5.80 GHz) buy now on Amazon and save! Intel Core i9-12900K 16C 24T @ 3.20 GHz (5.20 GHz) buy now on Amazon and save!

Devices using this processor
Intel Core i9-13900K	Intel Core i9-12900K
Unknown	Unknown

News and articles for the Intel Core i9-13900K and the Intel Core i9-12900K

Comparison of the two processors

The Intel Core i9-13900K is the direct successor to the Intel Core i9-12900K. Basically, the same technology is used here, but Intel has doubled the number of efficiency cores in the Intel Core i9-13900K from 8 to 16 CPU cores.

The core architecture of both processors is based on 8 large P-cores, which come from the "Raptor Cove" architecture in the Intel Core i9-13900K. The Intel Core i9-12900K still uses 8 P cores from the slightly older "Golden Cove" architecture. “Raptor Cove” offers particularly higher clock frequencies in the turbo range of the processor. The base frequency is 3.0 GHz, but clock frequencies of up to 5.8 GHz can be achieved in Turbo.

The Intel Core i9-12900K offers a slightly higher base clock of 3.2 GHz, but a maximum of only 5.2 GHz is possible. The E-cores of both processors are based on Intel's "Gracemont" architecture, which comes from the Intel Atom series. Although these cores are not as powerful as the larger P-cores, they require much less space on the CPU package and also require less energy.

Intel has now doubled the E-cores in the Intel Core i9-13900K to 16, so that performance in applications that can utilize many CPU cores has increased significantly. The difference is not significant in computer games; the Intel Core i9-13900K can only set itself apart from its predecessor due to the higher maximum frequency of 5.8 GHz.

The Intel Core i9-13900K has 24 CPU cores and 32 threads, the Intel Core i9-12900K is also very fast with 16 CPU cores and 24 threads and should provide enough performance for every user. The Intel Core i9-13900K supports up to 192 GB of RAM; the predecessor officially stops at 128 GB. Depending on the motherboard, DDR4 or the newer and faster DDR5 memory is supported.

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