Pros
- Fastest gaming CPU
Cons
- Unnecessarily more expensive than the 12900K
- Just a bin-sorted chip
- Draws a huge amount of power as standard
Reviewing this processor is quite challenging. The Intel Core i9 12900KS is undeniably the most powerful gaming CPU globally, but it appears to primarily serve as a means for Intel to assert its dominance within the Alder Lake family. In all honesty, it’s a processor that may only appeal to marketers.
AMD has recently introduced the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, a CPU that showcases an impressive design utilizing cutting-edge chip stacking technology to enhance its L3 cache capabilities and notably elevate its gaming performance. I found it to be a solid processor due to its innovative technology, the significant performance increase it delivers compared to the standard Ryzen 7 5800X, and the promising outlook it provides for the future.
AMD has just released the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, a CPU that boasts an impressive design incorporating the latest chip stacking technology to enhance its L3 cache capabilities and notably improve its gaming performance. I consider it to be a commendable processor due to its intelligent technology, the substantial performance boost it offers over the standard Ryzen 7 5800X, and the potential it holds for the future.
It cannot be denied that the CPU you have, at the resolution typically used by someone who invests or more in a processor for gaming, will probably have minimal impact on the actual gaming performance of your setup. Unless you have unreasonably allocated more funds towards the CPU instead of the graphics card, it is the GPU that carries the bulk of the workload in high-resolution PC gaming. When your gaming experience is limited by the GPU, the variance in performance between processors is only noticeable in single-digit frame rate differences.
AMD’s fastest gaming CPU can boast of new silicon design advantages and a stable AM4 platform. In contrast, Intel’s Core i9 12900KS does not have these benefits.
AMD’s most powerful gaming CPU has the potential to leverage new silicon design benefits and a reliable AM4 platform. Conversely, Intel’s Core i9 12900KS lacks these advantages.
The KS variant mirrors the 16-core, 24-thread Core i9 12900K that we highly praised, albeit with a higher price tag of approximately to an additional 300MHz boost clock. Indeed, this is a binned iteration of the premier Alder Lake processor, boasting a maximum turbo speed of 5.5GHz without the need for overclocking.
The KS model is essentially the same as the 16-core, 24-thread Core i9 12900K that we adored, but it comes with a higher price tag of around, mainly because it features an extra 300MHz added to the boost clock. This is essentially a sorted version of the top Alder Lake chip, offering a maximum turbo speed of 5.5GHz out of the box without requiring any overclocking.
A large PSU and effective cooling are definitely necessary.
It is also necessary to willingly suspend disbelief in the importance of super high-end CPU silicon in a dedicated gaming rig. However, let’s shift our attention to the actual hardware available for a moment.
It is also necessary to willingly suspend disbelief in the importance of super high-end CPU silicon in a dedicated gaming rig. However, let’s shift our attention to the actual hardware available for a moment.
Our reviews of the Core i9 12900K and Core i5 12600K have thoroughly examined the impressive Alder Lake processor design. Intel has successfully implemented a remarkable single thread microarchitecture in the Golden Cove design, and complemented it with a range of smaller yet remarkably powerful cores to provide exceptional multi-threaded performance. Surprisingly, the once criticized big.LITTLE CPU design for desktops has proven to significantly enhance gaming performance.
The Core i5 12400, known as the budget hero, has proven to be a solid performer in the Alder Lake lineup. However, the Core i9 12900KS falls short in meeting my expectations. It seems unlikely that it will appeal to anyone other than enthusiasts who are willing to pay a premium for the latest and fastest silicon, regardless of any noticeable performance improvements. This particular model may only attract Intel marketeers who are eager to boast about having the ‘fastest gaming CPU’ on the market.
The Core i5 12400, recognized as the budget-friendly option, has successfully met expectations within the Alder Lake series. Conversely, the Core i9 12900KS fails to impress me. It is probable that this processor will only appeal to a niche group of enthusiasts who are willing to pay a premium for the absolute fastest silicon, regardless of any significant performance enhancements. This model may primarily attract Intel marketeers seeking to claim the title of having the ‘fastest gaming CPU’.
As previously mentioned, it is without a doubt the quickest gaming CPU available. Testing at 1080p is necessary to confirm that our RTX 3080-powered test setup is adequately CPU-bound to showcase any possible variance in performance. However, at that resolution, with a few exceptions, it undeniably delivers a higher frame rate compared to both the Core i9 12900K and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D.
However, the price difference between the three is not significant enough to justify the large price gap. Spending on the 12900K may not cause any regret, as you won’t feel like you’re missing out on the Core i9 12900KS at 1440p or 4K. In fact, you could probably feel the same way even if you invested in a Core i5 12600K, or maybe even on a Core i5 12400.
The significant challenge lies in the substantial power consumption needed to achieve such high speeds. Even in the context of gaming alone, with the CPU not operating at full capacity, the 12900KS requires 47% more power than the Ryzen 7 5800X3D. This results in a 23% increase in average frames per second, but only at 1080p resolution.
When discussing the chip under maximum load, it is observed that it can reach up to its 241W limits while operating with standard power restrictions.
It is my opinion that a portion of the positive reputation Intel gained from launching its Alder Lake generation has diminished, at least in my eyes. This meticulously categorized, excessively pricey chip seems to prioritize claiming the title of the fastest, rather than providing tangible benefits to PC gamers, serving more as a verbal competition with AMD.
While it may be true that this CPU is the fastest for gaming, it is akin to boasting about the wheels on an F1 car being able to spin faster than any other. Ultimately, what truly matters is the engine, or in the case of gaming PCs, the graphics card, as it is what makes the significant difference. Everything else is merely semantics.