Intel Core i9-12900K Review

1. Introduction to Intel Core i9-12900K2. Intel Slides and Specs3. CPU Performance - Cinebench4. CPU Performance - CrossMark & Blender5. Memory Performance - AIDA646. Gaming Performance - Deus Ex & Watch Dogs Legion7. Gaming Performance - Far Cry 6 & 3DMark8. Power Consumption & Temperature9. Closing Thoughts10. View All Pages

Intel's 12th Generation Alder Lake has been rolling slowly towards us for the past six months and we have been bombarded by more leaks and performance claims than we can remember for a new CPU.

Cynics might suggest this was all part of a move to help us forget about Core i9-11900K and if that is the case we totally understand the thinking. The arrival of Core i9-12900K is much more than a simple update to an existing CPU technology as we are working with a new Intel fabrication process, a new Hybrid Architecture, DDR5 memory and Microsoft Windows 11.

Luke has analysed the differences between DDR4 and DDR5 and we have taken the plunge and tested Core i9-12900K on Windows 11 so we can see Intel Thread Director in action. When you add all these factors together the net result is that Intel tops the performance charts and has delivered storming performance, especially in games.

It sounds slightly ridiculous to say that Intel is back and is now able to compete with AMD. Intel is a colossus and AMD is relatively small, however we all know that Intel has been stuck on 14nm for many years and has been unable to roll forward with their new architecture. 12th Gen Alder Lake works well and delivers impressive performance but the the key point is that 12th Gen is the beginning of something new and almost makes a break from the past.

We say ‘almost' because Intel still uses far too much power and their quest for 5GHz+ clock speeds drives their CPUs to the thermal limits. We hope that 13th Gen and 14th in combination with the next fabrication processes allows Intel to fix this glaring problem.

For the time being we are happy to applaud the performance of Core i9-12900K but as we explain in our video this particular model is overshadowed by the cheaper Core i5-12600K. Welcome back Intel, you have made it through dark times.

The Intel Core i9-12900K is available from Overclockers UK for £599.99 HERE.

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See our i5-12600K review HERE.

Pros:

• Storming gaming performance.
• Good productivity performance that is close to Ryzen 9 5950X.
• Intel has finally moved on from its 14nm process.
• Intel’s Performance Hybrid architecture is a major change of direction.
• Support for PCI Express Gen 5.

Cons:

• Power draw is high and efficiency is unimpressive.
• DDR5 is brand new and will take time to improve.
• High cost for the new platform.
• Windows 10 performance is unpredictable. Best to use Windows 11.
• There is minimal potential for overclocking with conventional cooling.

KitGuru says: Intel made bold claims ahead of the launch of Core i9-12900K and it has delivered in an impressive manner.

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