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.

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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.

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.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

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

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