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Intel Core i9-9900KS vs Intel Core i7-12700K

Intel Core i9-9900KS

► remove from comparison Intel i9-9900KS

The Intel Core i9-9900KS is a high end desktop processor that includes 8 cores based on the Coffee Lake architecture. It is the fastest Coffee Lake CPU in 2019 and compared to the similar named i9-9900K, the KS offers an all core Turbo of 5 GHz. All cores can clock between 4 GHz and 5 GHz and thanks to Hyperthreading / SMT 16 threads can be executed in parallel. The CPU is still manufactured in the mature 14 nm process (14nm++). Thanks to the open multiplicator, the CPU is rather easy to overclock (if a Z390 based mainboard is used).

With good cooling, the i9-9900KS can be around 10% faster than the older Intel Core i9-9900K (thanks to the 5 GHz all core Turbo). Compare to the old Core i7-8700K, the 9900KS is even 45% faster. Especially for gaming, the 9900KS is currently the fastest option available. The fast Ryzen and Threadripper CPUs from AMD however offer a better multithreaded performance.

The integrated GPU is called Intel UHD Graphics 630 and clocks with up to 1.2 GHz. It is not suited for demanding 3D games and located in the low end.

The TDP is raised to 127 Watt for the additional performance, therefore a good CPU cooler is needed. When overclocking the CPU, more than 200 Watt can be reached unter load.

Intel Core i7-12700K

► remove from comparison Intel i7-12700K

The Intel Core i7-12700K is a high end CPU for desktops based on the Alder Lake architecture. It was first announced in November 2021 and offers 8 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores. The performance cores (P-cores) support HyperThreading, leading to 20 Threads that can be processed at once. The performance cores can clock with up to 5 GHz (Turbo Boost Max 3.0), the efficiency cores can clock with up to 3.9 GHz. All cores can use 25 MB Smart Cache. The integrated memory controller supports up to 128 GB DDR5 with 4800 MT/s (dual channel).

Thread Director (in hardware) can support the operating system to decide which thread to use on the performance or efficiency cores for the best performance.

The integrated graphics adapter is based on the Xe-architecture and called Intel UHD Graphics 770. It clocks between 300 and 1.5 GHz.

For AI tasks, the CPU also integrates GNA 3.0 and DL Boost. Quick Sync in version 8 is the same as in the Rocket Lake CPUs and supports MPEG-2, AVC, VC-1 decode, JPEG, VP8 decode, VP9, HEVC and AV1 decode in hardware.

Performance

The average 12700K in our database is way ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800X and the Ryzen 9 3900X, as far as multi-thread benchmark scores are concerned. Which is a very, very impressive result, as of late 2022.

Power consumption

This Core i7 series chip has a Base power consumption of 125 W, with its highest Intel-recommended Turbo power consumption sitting at 190 W. It might be a good idea to get an AIO cooling solution for a chip this power hungry.

The i7-12700K is manufactured on Intel's fourth-generation 10 nm process marketed as Intel 7 for lower-than-average, as of early 2023, energy efficiency.

ModelIntel Core i9-9900KSIntel Core i7-12700K
CodenameCoffee Lake-RAlder Lake
SeriesIntel Coffee LakeIntel Alder Lake-S
Series: Alder Lake-S Alder Lake
Intel Core i9-9900KS « 4 - 5 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9900K compare3.6 - 5 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i7-9700K compare3.6 - 4.9 GHz8 / 8 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i7-9700 compare3 - 4.7 GHz8 / 8 cores12 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9600K compare3.7 - 4.6 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i9-9900T compare2.1 - 4.4 GHz8 / 16 cores16 MB L3
Intel Core i5-9400F compare2.9 - 4.1 GHz6 / 6 cores9 MB L3
Intel Core i3-9100F compare3.6 - 4.2 GHz4 / 4 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i9-12900K compare3.2 - 5.2 GHz16 / 24 cores30 MB L3
Intel Core i9-12900 compare2.4 - 5.1 GHz16 / 24 cores20 MB L3
Intel Core i7-12700K « 2.7 - 5 GHz12 / 20 cores25 MB L3
Intel Core i7-12700F compare3.3 - 4.9 GHz12 / 20 cores25 MB L3
Intel Core i7-12700 compare3.3 - 4.9 GHz12 / 20 cores25 MB L3
Intel Core i5-12600K compare2.8 - 4.9 GHz10 / 16 cores20 MB L3
Clock4000 - 5000 MHz2700 - 5000 MHz
L1 Cache512 KB
L2 Cache2 MB12 MB
L3 Cache16 MB25 MB
Cores / Threads8 / 1612 / 20
TDP127 Watt125 Watt
Technology14 nm10 nm
Die Size178 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C
SocketFCLGA1151LGA1700
FeaturesDual-Channel DDR4-2666 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, AES-NI, TSX-NI, Quick Sync, Virtualization, vProDDR4-3200/DDR5-4800 RAM, PCIe 5, Thr. Dir., DL Boost, GNA, vPro Enterp., MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, BMI2, ABM, FMA, ADX, SMEP, SMAP, EIST, TM1, TM2, HT, Turbo, SST, AES-NI, RDRAND, RDSEED, SHA
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 630 (350 - 1200 MHz)Intel UHD Graphics 770 (300 - 1500 MHz)
Architecturex86x86
$513 U.S.$409 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerwww.intel.deark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Performance Rating - CB R15 + R20 + 7-Zip + X265 + Blender + 3DM11 CPU - i9-9900KS
34.2 pt (57%)
Restrict / Search: Model: Max. age: years
Performance Rating - CB R15 + R20 + 7-Zip + X265 + Blender + 3DM11 CPU - i7-12700K
41.2 pt (69%)
Restrict / Search: Model: Max. age: years
Cinebench R23 - Cinebench R23 Multi Core
min: 17003     avg: 19784     median: 19784 (18%)     max: 22565 Points
Cinebench R23 - Cinebench R23 Single Core
min: 1806     avg: 1851     median: 1850.5 (75%)     max: 1895 Points
Cinebench R20 - Cinebench R20 CPU (Single Core)
min: 509     avg: 512     median: 511.5 (56%)     max: 514 Points
min: 731     avg: 736     median: 735.5 (80%)     max: 740 Points
Cinebench R20 - Cinebench R20 CPU (Multi Core)
min: 4463     avg: 4820     median: 4819.5 (12%)     max: 5176 Points
min: 6953     avg: 7801     median: 7800.5 (19%)     max: 8648 Points
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 1962     avg: 2058     median: 2058 (13%)     max: 2154 Points
3325 Points (21%)
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
min: 215     avg: 216     median: 216 (60%)     max: 217 Points
272 Points (75%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 22.31     avg: 23.2     median: 23.1 (30%)     max: 23.98 Points
38.4 Points (50%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
min: 2.43     avg: 2.4     median: 2.4 (58%)     max: 2.46 Points
3.3 Points (78%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 8143     avg: 8183     median: 8183 (49%)     max: 8223 Points
9305 Points (56%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 50462     avg: 51779     median: 51778.5 (38%)     max: 53095 Points
63484 Points (46%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
69169 Points (44%)
102539 Points (65%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
10759 Points (13%)
15179 Points (18%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
min: 82     avg: 87.9     median: 87.9 (1%)     max: 93.8 s
171.2 s (2%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
min: 3.232     avg: 3.6     median: 3.6 (1%)     max: 3.969 s
2.7 s (1%)
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
min: 8156     avg: 8353     median: 8353 (13%)     max: 8550 Points
10389 Points (16%)
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Multi Thread 4 runs
min: 55064     avg: 55735     median: 55735 (32%)     max: 56406 MIPS
min: 65508     avg: 73439     median: 73438.5 (42%)     max: 81369 MIPS
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Single Thread 4 runs
min: 5674     avg: 5734     median: 5734 (68%)     max: 5794 MIPS
min: 6117     avg: 6270     median: 6269.5 (74%)     max: 6422 MIPS
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
min: 116     avg: 122.5     median: 122.5 (3%)     max: 129 fps
179 fps (5%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
min: 276.2     avg: 278.9     median: 278.9 (7%)     max: 281.5 fps
349.5 fps (9%)
HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2 - HWBOT x265 4k Preset
min: 15.31     avg: 16.3     median: 16.3 (29%)     max: 17.2 fps
min: 14.9     avg: 20.5     median: 20.5 (36%)     max: 26.1 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
1.2 GB/s (35%)
1.6 GB/s (47%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
2.1 GB/s (36%)
2.8 GB/s (48%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
min: 12.1     avg: 12.2     median: 12.2 (32%)     max: 12.2 GB/s
15.7 GB/s (41%)
Blender - Blender 2.79 BMW27 CPU *
min: 205.1     avg: 224.6     median: 224.6 (2%)     max: 244 Seconds
min: 152.3     avg: 173.1     median: 173.1 (1%)     max: 193.9 Seconds
R Benchmark 2.5 - R Benchmark 2.5 *
min: 0.412     avg: 0.4     median: 0.4 (9%)     max: 0.423 sec
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 14825     avg: 14884     median: 14883.5 (32%)     max: 14942 Points
16827 Points (36%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
min: 7.405     avg: 7.4     median: 7.4 (2%)     max: 7.436 s
7.3 s (2%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
min: 16.45     avg: 16.5     median: 16.5 (1%)     max: 16.59 s
16.6 s (1%)
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
min: 412.2     avg: 414.2     median: 414.2 (2%)     max: 416.1 s
387 s (2%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
93250 Points (72%)
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 18531     avg: 18914     median: 18694 (46%)     max: 19517 Points
min: 23129     avg: 24947     median: 24947 (61%)     max: 26765 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
min: 75473     avg: 75482     median: 75482 (61%)     max: 75491 Points
109742 Points (89%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme Physics
min: 75946     avg: 76061     median: 76060.5 (62%)     max: 76175 Points
112268 Points (91%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
min: 74085     avg: 75802     median: 75508 (61%)     max: 77813 Points
109389 Points (88%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
min: 19068     avg: 19770     median: 20049 (51%)     max: 20193 Points
min: 21804     avg: 23017     median: 23017 (58%)     max: 24230 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
min: 24327     avg: 25511     median: 26016 (46%)     max: 26191 Points
min: 31240     avg: 34160     median: 34159.5 (61%)     max: 37079 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Time Spy CPU
min: 11017     avg: 11358     median: 11375 (48%)     max: 11683 Points
min: 13915     avg: 15550     median: 15550 (66%)     max: 17185 Points
Geekbench 6.5 - Geekbench 6.5 Single-Core
1892 Points (44%)
2580 Points (60%)
Geekbench 6.5 - Geekbench 6.5 Multi-Core
9953 Points (39%)
16200 Points (63%)
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.5 64 Bit Single-Core
1372 Points (46%)
min: 1890     avg: 1912     median: 1911.5 (64%)     max: 1933 Points
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.5 64 Bit Multi-Core
9100 Points (16%)
min: 12475     avg: 14016     median: 14016 (25%)     max: 15557 Points
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Single-Core
min: 1835     avg: 1841     median: 1840.5 (8%)     max: 1846 Points
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
min: 12318     avg: 13879     median: 13879 (44%)     max: 15440 Points
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Single-Core
6308 Points (63%)
8133 Points (81%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
35586 Points (35%)
55786 Points (55%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Single-Core
6313 Points (70%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
35932 Points (47%)
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
883 ms (1%)
min: 496     avg: 498     median: 498 (1%)     max: 500 ms
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
44538 Points (29%)
WebXPRT 3 - WebXPRT 3 Score
min: 301     avg: 303.5     median: 303.5 (54%)     max: 306 Points
CrossMark - CrossMark Overall
1999 Points (75%)
Power Consumption - Prime95 Power Consumption - external Monitor *
259.6 Watt (45%)
min: 132.1     avg: 206.6     median: 206.6 (36%)     max: 281 Watt
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Consumption - external Monitor *
min: 219.3     avg: 269.1     median: 292.7 (53%)     max: 295.4 Watt
278.2 Watt (51%)
Power Consumption - Power Efficiency - Cinebench R15 Multi external Monitor
min: 7.29     avg: 8.1     median: 8.1 (6%)     max: 8.95 Points per Watt
12 Points per Watt (9%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i9-9900KS → 100% n=40

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-12700K → 133% n=40

- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
red legend - Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation

Add one or more devices and compare

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v1.34
log 04. 07:07:00

#0 ran 0s before starting gpusingle class +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 11553 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 14033 +0s ... 0s

#3 redirected to Ajax server, took 1762236420s time from redirect:0 +0s ... 0s

#4 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Tue, 04 Nov 2025 05:20:59 +0100 +0s ... 0s

#5 composed specs +0.005s ... 0.005s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.005s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 11553 +0.004s ... 0.008s

#8 got single benchmarks 11553 +0.005s ... 0.014s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 14033 +0.005s ... 0.019s

#10 got single benchmarks 14033 +0.005s ... 0.023s

#11 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.023s

#12 min, max, avg, median took s +0.047s ... 0.07s

#13 return log +0.003s ... 0.073s

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Benchmarks / Tech > Processor Comparison - Head 2 Head
Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)