Home > CPU Comparisons > Core i9 12900KF or Core i9 12900K: what's better?

Intel Core i9 12900KF vs i9 12900K

Intel Core i9 12900KF
VS
Intel Core i9 12900K
Intel Core i9 12900KF
Intel Core i9 12900K

We compared two 16-core desktop CPUs: the 3.2 GHz Intel Core i9 12900KF against the 3,2 GHz i9 12900K. On this page, you'll find out which processor has better performance in benchmarks, games and other useful information.

  1. Review
  2. Differences
  3. Performance
  4. Specs
  5. Comments (10)

Review

General overview and comparison of the processors
Single-Core Performance
Performance in single-threaded apps and benchmarks
Performance
Measure performance when all cores are involved
Power Efficiency
The efficiency score of electricity consumption
NanoReview Final Score
Generic CPU rating

Key Differences

What are the key differences between 12900K and 12900KF
Advantages of Intel Core i9 12900K
  • Includes an integrated GPU Intel UHD Graphics 770

Benchmarks

Comparing the performance of CPUs in benchmarks
Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)
Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)
Passmark CPU (Single-Core)
Passmark CPU (Multi-Core)
Geekbench 5 (Single-Core)
Geekbench 5 (Multi-Core)
Submit your Cinebench R23 result
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Specifications

Full technical specification of Intel Core i9 12900KF and i9 12900K

General

Vendor Intel Intel
Released October 27, 2021 October 27, 2021
Type Desktop Desktop
instruction set x86-64 x86-64
Codename Alder Lake Alder Lake
Model number i9-12900KF i9-12900K
Integrated GPU No UHD Graphics 770

CPU

Performance Cores
P-Cores 8 8
P-Threads 16 16
Base Frequency (P) 3.2 GHz 3,2 GHz
Turbo Boost Frequency (P) 5.1 GHz 5.1 GHz
Efficient Cores
E-Cores 8 8
E-Threads 8 8
Base Frequency (E) 2.4 GHz 2.4 GHz
Turbo Boost Frequency (E) 3.9 GHz 3.9 GHz
Total
Total Cores 16 16
Total Threads 24 24
Bus Frequency 100 MHz 100 MHz
Multiplier 32x 32x
L1 Cache 64K (per core) 64K (per core)
L2 Cache 14MB (shared) 14MB (shared)
L3 Cache 30MB (shared) 30MB (shared)
Unlocked Multiplier Yes Yes

Package

Fabrication process 10 nm 10 nm
Socket LGA-1700 LGA-1700
TDP 125 W 125 W
Max. Boost TDP 241 W -
Peak temperature 100°C 100°C

iGPU

Integrated Graphics - Intel UHD Graphics 770
GPU Base Clock - 300 MHz
GPU Boost Clock - 1550 MHz
Shading Units - 256
TMUs - 16
ROPs - 8
Execution Units - 32
TGP - 15 W
iGPU FLOPS

Memory Support

Memory types DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Memory Size 128 GB 128 GB
Max. Memory Channels 2 2
Max. Memory Bandwidth 76.8 GB/s 76.8 GB/s
ECC Support Yes Yes

Misc

Official site Intel Core i9 12900KF official page Intel Core i9 12900K official page
PCI Express Version 5.0 5.0
PCI Express Lanes 20 20

Cast your vote

Choose between two processors
724 (44.5%)
902 (55.5%)
Total votes: 1626

Сompetitors

1. Intel Core i7 13700K or Intel Core i9 12900KF
2. Intel Core i7 12700KF or Intel Core i9 12900KF
3. Intel Core i9 13900KF or Intel Core i9 12900KF
4. Apple M1 Max or Intel Core i9 12900K
5. Intel Core i7 12700K or Intel Core i9 12900K
6. Intel Core i7 13700K or Intel Core i9 12900K
7. AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX or Intel Core i9 12900K
8. AMD Ryzen 9 7900X or Intel Core i9 12900K
Compare other CPUs (480+)

Comments

So which CPU will you choose: Intel Core i9 12900K or i9 12900KF?
Avatar
John Jacob Jihnson 22 March 2023 22:25
If the only difference is the Integrated graphics, save the money and invest in a better GPU.
0 Reply
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Bob 10 May 2022 19:26
K = IGpu backup, for no Dedicated GPU system, more expensive. KF = no IGpu backup, heating 8 degrees less(great for O/C), 2% faster, cheaper price. make your choice (for gaming a KF . I choose 12700kf almost powerful of a 12900k for gaming and a lot cheaper! )
+12 Reply
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Mut 22 April 2022 17:44
You're drawing loads of wattage from the lighting system you likely chose so why complain about iGPU wattage. If you're using it for mining then you eat about 1MW for less than $200, which is probably worth it if you own land at the 10 ft mark. Anyway, it's just watts that make up the difference.
0 Reply
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Zbowdawg 16 April 2022 18:24
Since both CPUs are virtually identical in specs with the exception of the added iGPU in the K version and then maybe 60 bucks +- more for the K version, consider you cruising along playing your favorite game or working on an important report for work or school and your screen(s) goes black. With the KF version, you are dead in the water. You may not have the ability to troubleshoot the issue unless you have a spare GPU laying around. Having the iGPU of the K version and not using it because you have a dedicated GPU is just a safety net worth the extra money in case you run into the worst-case scenario. Yes, the iGPU may use a very small amount of power even when not in use, but you can't deny that having that safety net available when tshtf is just plain good planning and could save you from heartache... just unplug your monitor(s) from your GPU and plug into the iGPU slots and you're on your way to figuring out what went wrong or finishing that report. You may not get a good performance for gaming with the iGPU but you sure could finish that report for work/school with the iGPU. Saving a few bucks always sounds like a good thing, but seriously consider what you would do if something failed.
+14 Reply
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DrRobot 03 November 2022 01:28
You use that rig for gaming 99% of the time. Your rig is drawing extra power, but more importantly, generates more heat. Overheating hardware can cause game lockups, crashes, and performance issues such as low FPS and stuttering. not so nice to have no matter what you use a video card for in my opinion. You should have bought the KF, you would not get problems with it, and the chance for problems is higher for the K to begin with. I've actually had this happen on a pc that also has a native card on it. when your main card breaks, you are not worried about writing a school report, you don't want to use that downgraded card, and you are ordering a new card asap ( you probably get it the same day your card breaks if possible). Another negative, on a K card you must still finish the report. If the video card on a KF board fails you can call your boss, and say your graphics card failed and can't finish the report. he might understand u need some extra time, maybe help you pay for a new card?
+1 Reply
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FireWallCR 11 March 2022 04:36
iGPU will for sure add some temp when active (even not in use)
+35 Reply
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Dr. Tom 16 January 2022 03:22
I second the importance of an IGU. 1. For debugging whilst building a system 2. Ability to just run without an external video card 3. Ability to debug crashed ext V-card, w.o IGU you're totally dead.
+46 Reply
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Fro573d 12 November 2021 07:44
IGP would only be useful in machines without dedicated GPU. However, one important thing to consider is the price difference between the 2.
+82 Reply
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Krawk 10 November 2021 01:21
Is there any reason in the world I would want to pay more for the one with integrated graphics? I am already running an MSI 3080Ti.
+53 Reply
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Sqolp 16 November 2021 12:21
Virtualization with passthrough. Might not be useful for every one but it's still a super feature for many of us :)
+26 Reply
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Tobias 23 November 2021 00:05
Sqolp, I wouldn't say it's a *super feature*
+6 Reply
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JJD 27 November 2021 22:54
The main reason is for troubleshooting a GPU. If the GF card goes down you would not have any way to use the system. I leave my IG graphics off in the BIOS and turn them on when having issues with monitors, cables, or GF cards to use as a standard for comparison.
+25 Reply
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Danny 04 November 2021 15:35
There is not difference except for Integrated Graphics. but who uses that?
+74 Reply
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Nicholas 04 November 2021 09:31
I already chose the 12900KF for my new Alienware Aurora R13!
+122 Reply
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Noah 03 September 2022 00:42
Good call on the KF, bad choice on the prebuilt desktop. Gotta optimize for thermal control when your case is coming from Alienware 'cause you just know they're not going to give you big fans or healthy ventilation. And why should they? Glass looks nicer, and the people who know why glass is a poop material for their box would never buy an AW anyway.
+6 Reply
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