Intel's top-of-the-line i9-12900KS desktop CPU clocked at 5.5 GHz starts pre-selling at US$781, slated to ship in early March

Availability for Intel’s Alder Lake desktop processors is finally picking up and it looks like a newer top-of-the-line i9-12900KS models will also arrive in just a few weeks. As previously spotted by momomo_us on twitter, the i9-12900KS appeared on some undisclosed retailer listings a few days ago. Now, momomo_us is back with a few more spec details, plus we are getting an estimated release date complete with prices from online retailer ShopBLT, thanks to a Videocardz report.

From momomo_us’s previous leak, we already know that Intel’s Core i9-12900KS CPUs have a higher boost clock of 5.5 GHz (up 300 MHz from the K model), and the base power is upped by 25 W to 150W. Additional info is now revealing that the base clocks are also upped by 200 MHz to 3.4 GHz, while the PL2 is upped by 19 W to 260W max.

ShopBLT has the i9-12900KS model pre-selling at US$780.79, with an additional similar model stepping P5 available for US$791.74. These are available in bulk trays with no fancy packaging, usually bought by OEMs. Estimated time of shipping is set to March 3rd or around 3 weeks from now.

Considering the US$598 price for the i9-12900K models that can easily be overclocked to 5.5 GHz (although you are voiding the warranty if anything happens to the CPU), the US$780 price for the KS processor could seem unjustified. On the other hand, it is unclear if this is indeed the MSRP from Intel, and prices could fall as more retailers list the new KS models.

Buy the Intel Core i9-12900KF desktop CPU on Amazon