Intel Core i9-12900KS could push Alder Lake CPUs to new levels

By Zak Islam Published December 17, 2021

Intel is reportedly working on a new processor, the Intel Core i9-12900KS, which could become the highest-performing 12th-generation Alder Lake CPU.

According to VideoCardz’s sources, the Intel Core i9-12900KS is currently being tested by the company’s board partners. The processor is said to be a pre-binned model featuring an all-core boost of 5.2 GHz (specifically for the performance core), which would represent an increase of 200 MHz over the standard 12900K.

A box for the Intel Core i9-11900K, — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Comparatively, the stock 12900K’s performance-core base frequency reaches 3.20 GHz, while the efficient-core base frequency clocks in at 2.40 GHz. The standard 12900K CPU offers an all-core boost frequency between 4.85 to 4.9 GHz, so the upgraded 12900KS variant should naturally exceed 5.0 GHz without the need to overclock the processor.

Recommended Videos

As mentioned above, the Intel Core i9-12900KS would operate as a pre-binned CPU. A pre-binned processor is a term associated with a manufacturer that basically boosts the frequency in order for the model to hit a specific clock speed. Essentially, in the case of the i9-12900KS at least, consumers would have access to a performance powerhouse out of the box. As such, it’s a CPU that would be geared toward the enthusiast segment of the market.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Should Intel release the rumored i9-12900KS chip, it would mark the first time the company has released a pre-binned CPU in three generations. As noted by VideoCardz, the 11th-gen Core series did not include a KS variant. As a result, this specific model has not been seen in the market since Intel launched the Core i9-9900KS in October 2019.

Intel’s unannounced Alder Lake-S CPU is most likely being prepared as an answer to AMD’s upcoming Ryzen processors that are equipped with 3D V-Cache based on either the Zen 3 or Zen 4 microarchitecture. AMD’s upcoming CPUs will offer a performance increase of 15% over the previous generation’s Zen 2.

Expect the i9-12900KS to make an appearance at Intel’s CES 2022 press conference on January 4. The company will also likely unveil the recently leaked Alder Lake-P mobile CPU lineup at the event.

Elsewhere, Intel seemingly confirmed the existence of various future CPUs and GPUs. A previously leaked code name for a next-generation DG3 GPU, Elasti, made an appearance on a graphics test driver. Several upcoming CPUs were also mentioned, including Raptor Lake-S, Meteor Lake, Arrow Lake, and Lunar Lake.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Zak Islam was a freelance writer at Digital Trends covering the latest news in the technology world, particularly the…

Computing

Intel’s CPU lineups might get even more confusing

An Intel Core Ultra Series 2 chip embedded in a piece of glass.

Intel's list of processors constantly grows, and its whole new naming scheme just got even more confusing. Today's leaks imply that Intel might be working on another Raptor Lake refresh, this time under the Core 200 name. That's right -- just Core 200, without the Ultra. We also spotted some more budget-friendly, previously unheard-of Arrow Lake chips.

With Intel Arrow Lake right around the corner and Lunar Lake CPUs freshly out and available, Intel's got a lot going on in the CPU department right now, and there's more to come. Some non-Ultra Core 200 chips appeared in various Business Applications Performance Corporation (BAPCo) benchmarks, including the Core 7 250U, the Core 7 250H, and the Core 5 220H. There's also the Core 7 Ultra 255H, which is likely an upcoming Arrow Lake-H CPU set to appear inside next-gen laptops.

Computing

Intel Arrow Lake gets possible pricing and release date

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger presents Intel's roadmap including Arrow Lake, Lunar Lake, and Panther Lake.

We haven't even gotten an official release date for Intel Arrow Lake, but the one we know of is already being pushed back. Many leaks pointed to an October 10 release, but now, one source claims that Intel won't launch its next-gen top desktop processors until October 24. This only applies to the K and KF-series CPUs -- the non-K variants won't arrive until much later. We've also gotten a peek at some of the possible pricing.

Fortunately, the delay doesn't appear to be major. According to HKEPC on X (formerly Twitter), the launch of Intel Arrow Lake-S has now been pushed back from October 17 to October 24. This is somewhat inconsistent with previous leaks, but not really -- it appears that Intel had always planned to announce Arrow Lake on October 10, with availability starting on October 17. Now, we might still hear about the CPUs on October 10, but they won't appear on the shelves until two weeks later.

Computing

Intel Lunar Lake CPUs: everything we know about release date, performance, and specs

An Intel Core Ultra Series 2 chip embedded in a piece of glass.

You and I might be hotly anticipating what Intel's next-generation Arrow Lake processors will do later this year, but Intel's mobile-first Lunar Lake may be the more exciting design. It's certainly the one Intel seems more keen to talk about. It released a heap of new information on Lunar Lake, detailing what could be one of Intel's most exciting product launches in years.

It's bringing real efficiency back to its mobile product, and that could give AMD a lot to think about. Here's everything we know about Lunar Lake so far, which are are gunning for a spot in the best laptops.
Lunar Lake specs
Intel revealed some details about Lunar Lake's architecture and design in May 2024, stating that this mobile-first architectural design would be fast, but also incredibly efficient, beating the competition by up to 30% on power draw while offering competitive performance.

nproxy.org