ASRock Enthusiast
Check on Amazon Z790 Taichi Carrara
$266–$294
Z790 tuning for unlocked CPUs
Intel Core i9-12900KS
- Brand
- Intel
- Model
- Intel Core i9-12900KS
Intel Core i9-12900KS (Alder Lake, 16C/24T) launched Apr 5, 2022; flagship LGA1700 chip with UHD 770 and 5.5 GHz TVB; discontinued with final shipments in 2025.
Compute rankTop 25% of CPUs
TierFlagship?GixCore tierWhat a part was built to do — not what it costs.EntryBudgetMainstreamHigh endEnthusiastFlagship A part can be cheap because it is an ageing flagship, or because it is a current entry-level model. The tier tells you which.
ReleasedApr 2022
As an Amazon Associate, GixCore earns from qualifying purchases.Pricing note?This range is based on our last recorded catalog price and is not a quote. Check Amazon for the current price.
Cores16
Threads24
SocketLGA1700
MemoryDDR4 / DDR5
Base clock2.50 GHz
Boost clock5.50 GHz
TDP241 W
L3 cache30 MB
GixCore Editorial
Product overview
Released April 5, 2022, the Core i9-12900KS is a 12th‑Gen Alder Lake special‑edition desktop CPU on Intel 7 with 16 cores (8P+8E) and 24 threads. It targets Intel’s LGA1700 platform and 600‑series motherboards, includes Intel UHD Graphics 770, and boosts up to 5.5 GHz via Intel Thermal Velocity Boost.
Positioned as Intel’s flagship SKU of its generation, it exists for builders who want the fastest stock‑clock Alder Lake chip. It’s well‑suited to 1440p and 4K gaming, plus streaming and heavy creation work such as video editing and 3D rendering. Unique note: this KS is a binned, unlocked‑multiplier variant of the 12900K with higher boost ceilings. Intel has discontinued the 12900KS; last orders were January 24, 2025, with final shipments by July 25, 2025.
LifecycleDiscontinued 2025
Best for
Official product specifications - 1440p gaming
- 4K gaming
- streaming
- video editing
- 3D rendering
Pairing fit
Compatible Motherboards
Compatible options ranked for this part's performance class. See all 16 →
MSI High end
Check on Amazon MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi
$123–$136
Z790 tuning for unlocked CPUs
ASUS High end
Check on Amazon Prime Z790-A WiFi 6E
$123–$136
Z790 tuning for unlocked CPUs
ASUS High end
Check on Amazon ROG Maximus Z790 Hero
$475–$525
Z790 tuning for unlocked CPUs
Asus High end
Check on Amazon ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi
$550–$608
Z790 tuning for unlocked CPUs
Asus High end
Check on Amazon TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi
$190–$210
Z790 tuning for unlocked CPUsBudget pairings6 lower-tier compatible options
Gigabyte Mainstream
Check on Amazon B760 AORUS Elite AX
$114–$126
B760 platform match
MSI Mainstream
Check on Amazon MAG B760 Tomahawk WiFi
$129–$143
B760 platform match
MSI Mainstream
Check on Amazon PRO B760-P WiFi DDR4
$133–$147
B760 platform match
ASUS Mainstream
Check on Amazon TUF GAMING B760-PLUS WIFI
$123–$136
B760 platform match
Gigabyte Budget
Check on Amazon B760M Gaming Plus WiFi DDR4
$142–$157
B760 platform match
ASRock Budget
Check on Amazon B760M Pro RS
$104–$115
B760 platform matchPairing fit
Compatible RAM kits
Compatible options ranked for this part's performance class.
Kingston Enthusiast
Check on Amazon KF572C38RSAK2-32 32GB DDR5-7200
$726–$802
DDR5-7200 sweet spot
G.SKILL Enthusiast
Check on Amazon Trident Z5 RGB DDR5 32GB (2x16GB) 7200MT/s
$665–$735
DDR5-7200 sweet spot
Kingston High end
Check on Amazon KF564C32BBEAK2-64 64GB DDR5-6400
$1,272–$1,406
DDR5-6400 sweet spot
TEAMGROUP High end
Check on Amazon T-Force XTREEM DDR5 32GB (2x16GB) 6400MHz CL32 FFXD532G6400HC32ADC01
$551–$609
DDR5-6400 sweet spot
KLEVV High end
Check on Amazon Bolt V DDR5 32GB (2x16GB) 6000MHz CL30
$500–$552
DDR5-6000 sweet spot
Corsair High end
Check on Amazon CMK32GX5M2B6000C30 32GB DDR5-6000
$532–$588
DDR5-6000 sweet spotBudget pairings6 lower-tier compatible options
PNY Enthusiast
Check on Amazon XLR8 Gaming 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-4600
$120–$133
DDR4 compatible value optionPNY Enthusiast
Check on Amazon XLR8 Gaming 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-4400
$120–$133
DDR4 compatible value optionPNY Enthusiast
Check on Amazon XLR8 Gaming 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-4200
$120–$133
DDR4 compatible value option
PNY High end
Check on Amazon XLR8 Gaming 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 DRAM 4000MHz
$120–$133
DDR4 compatible value option
Kingston Mainstream
Check on Amazon KF556C40BB-16 16GB DDR5-5600
$322–$356
DDR5-5600 memory match
Kingston Mainstream
Check on Amazon KF556S40IBK2-32 32GB DDR5-5600
$538–$595
DDR5-5600 memory matchSpecifications
At a glance iEach dot represents a catalog model. Farther right means a higher measured value, not necessarily a better fit.Measured against the CPUs catalog
Current modelCatalog models
Cores16
Higher than 89% of CPUs
Threads24
Higher than 85% of CPUs
Boost clock5.5 GHZ
Higher than 90% of CPUs
RAM speed4800 MHz
Higher than 79% of CPUs
- Cores
- 16
- Threads
- 24
- Base clock
- 2.5 GHZ
- Boost clock
- 5.5 GHZ
- TDP
- 241 W
- Cache
- 30 MB
- Max Memory Size
- 128 GB
- ECC Support
- Yes
- Hyper Threading
- Yes
- Turbo Boost
- Yes
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory
- DDR4, DDR5
- Ram Speed
- 4800 MHz
- Processor Generation
- 12