Intel Core i9-12900

The Intel Core i9-12900 is a powerful CPU featuring 16 cores and 24 threads, capable of achieving a clock speed of up to 5.1 GHz. It utilizes the LGA 1700 socket and includes Intel's integrated graphics, making it suitable for high-performance gaming and multitasking.
Popularity: Low
Performance:
Specifications:
Model: Intel Core i9-12900
Series: 12th Generation Intel® Core™ i9 Processors
Architecture: Alder Lake
Socket: 1700
Cores: 16
Threads: 24
Base Clock: 2.40 GHz
Max. Boost Clock: 5.10 GHz
L2 Cache: 14 MB
L3 Cache: 30 MB
TDP: 65 W
Power Consumption: 202.0 W
Max Memory: 128 GB
Max Memory Speed: Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s
Max Temp: 100 °C
PCI Express Version: 5.0 and 4.0
PCIe Lanes: 20
Overclocking:
Integrated GPU: Yes
Cooler Boxed: yes
Instruction Set: 64-bit
Launch Date: Q1'22
Manufacturer Page: Link
Review
The Intel Core i9-12900 represents Intel's foray into melding high performance with innovative architecture through its Alder Lake design. Equipped with 16 cores and 24 threads, this processor is aimed at delivering excellent multitasking and gaming performance, aided by a clock speed reaching up to 5.1 GHz. Coupled with Intel’s UHD Graphics 770, this chip promises integrated graphics that make it suitable for a spectrum of computation needs.
Technical Specifications
Deploying an LGA 1700 socket, the Intel Core i9-12900 accommodates high-performance tasks with its layered cache architecture, including a 14MB L2 and a 30MB L3 cache, ensuring rapid access to data. Another highlight is its efficiency, facilitated by the architecture’s Power Level parameters allowing customization for different power consumption needs.
Performance Evaluation
The Alder Lake generation, as tested, shows remarkable improvements over previous models in power efficiency, courtesy of the Intel 7 production process. In comparative reviews, it is noted that while AMD offers notable efficiencies with its 7nm architecture, Intel's new power limits for the Alder Lake processors enable it to surpass AMD's offerings in specific benchmarks. The non-K variants, which launch with lower power options, could provide attractive performance efficiencies for many users [TechPowerUp Review].
Gaming Performance
In gaming benchmarks, the Intel Core i9-12900 takes a lead over its competitors, notably the Ryzen 9 5900X, by approximately 8.7% when utilizing both DDR4 and DDR5 memory configurations. Additionally, even under reduced power consumption settings, it maintains a competitive edge, showcasing its capacity to efficiently support gaming loads without requiring the latest DDR5 setups [Tom's Hardware Review].
Scientific and Office Benchmarking
In office and scientific tasks, utilizing real-world performance tests revealed minimal differences between the KS and standard K versions, despite marginal power hikes in the KS. This consistency underscores the performance capabilities of Intel's Alder Lake architecture as a dependable option for demanding workloads [AnandTech Review].
Conclusion
The Intel Core i9-12900 emerges as a formidable processor, boasting improvements in efficiency and performance, especially for gamers and power users. Its capacity to manage heavy multitasking workloads while maintaining competitiveness at reduced energy costs reflects an intelligent architectural balance. Whether for gaming or intensive productivity tasks, this chip promises to meet varied computational demands with finesse.
For more details on this CPU, visit the Intel’s official page here.