This 60% off Core i9-12900KS is now nearly $400 less than the recently launched i9-14900KS

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Two weeks ago, Intel’s Core i9-14900KS beastly processor launched, and it’s currently listed on Amazon for $749.99. We just found a deal on Amazon that you’ll want to see if you’re considering this CPU. We’re talking about the Intel Core i9-12900KS, which is currently on sale with a 60% discount, meaning it’s $390 cheaper than the Core i9-14900KS. Boasting 8 performance cores, 8 efficient cores, and 24 threads, the i9-12900KS is a powerhouse of a processor, rivaling some of the best CPUs for gaming. So, if you’re weighing up your options on which CPU to buy, check out our comparison on the Core i9-14900KS vs Core i9-12900KS for some more insight.

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Intel Core i9 (12th Gen) i9-12900KS Gaming Desktop Processor

with Integrated Graphics and Hexadeca-core (16 Core) 2.50 GHz

Best Deals

Deal @ Amazon

Reasons to Buy

Great value – with the 60% discount, it’s only $30 more than the Core i9-12900K, and $390 cheaper than the Core i9-14900KS
Rapid performance for gaming
It has integrated Intel UHD 770 graphics

Reasons to Avoid

You’ll need to invest in a powerful cooler as it gets very hot

When the Intel Core i9-12900KS gaming desktop processor was initially listed, it came in at a cost of $895 according to Amazon. Now, you can pick it up for just $359.99 thanks to the 60% discount, which allows you to score $535.01 worth of savings. If this saving opportunity doesn’t leave you convinced, check out our specs section below which offers more detail on the key features of this CPU to see what makes it a strong contender for the best processors from Intel.

What the Core i9-12900KS brings to the table

Technical Details	Specifications
Single P-core Max/Base Speed	5.2/3.4 GHz
Single E-core Max/Base Speed	4.0/2.5 GHz
Processor base power	150W
Intel Smart Cache	30MB
Total CPU PCIe lanes	20
Memory	DDR5
Socket	Socket LGA-1700

If you’re in the market for a powerful processor delivering exceptional performance for gaming, streaming, or any intensive tasks, the Intel Core i9-12900KS is a great pick, fueled by Intel’s performance hybrid architecture. The CPU has 8 performance cores, which are made for performance across lightly threaded and single workloads, and are great for things like productivity and gaming. It has 8 efficient cores which are built for multi-threaded performance, reducing interruptions from secondary tasks.

You get 24 threads, with 16 on performance cores and 8 on efficient cores, ensuring this CPU blitzes through heavy-duty tasks. Additionally, the 14MB of L2 and 30MB of L3 cache memory offers an exceptional hit rate in low access time, which improves the overall system performance. And if you don’t have a GPU and are looking to use this processor for lighter tasks like photo editing, it has integrated Intel UHD 770 graphics, so you won’t need to worry about spending extra cash on a GPU.

Our take on this Intel CPU deal on Amazon

Below, you’ll find a graph from camelcamelcamel which shows the price-tracking history of this Intel Core i9-12900KS CPU deal on Amazon. It has crashed in price since it was first listed on Amazon just under two years ago. Since around June last year, this CPU’s price has become more volatile, oscillating between approximately $480 and $340, at its lowest. While it isn’t the cheapest it has ever been, this Intel CPU is not too far off that mark, and its price is certainly at a low point as of now.

A line chart displaying a price trend with initial decline followed by fluctuating values over a time span from may to march. — A line graph displaying the price history of the Intel Core i9-12900KS on Amazon.

Given that the price of this Intel Core i9-12900KS is in a dip, below its average from the last 6 months, we think now is a great time to pick it up if you’re considering buying it. It’s a good deal with the 60% discount, and this CPU is substantially cheaper than its 14th gen successor, the Core i9-14900KS, which is $749.99 on Amazon. So, in terms of the price-to-performance ratio, we think it’s worth it. Gamers and content creators will appreciate this processor for its exceptionally fast speeds and multitasking capabilities. With that being said, some users have commented that it can get very hot when being pushed to the limits, so you’ll need to invest in a good CPU cooler to get the most out of the Intel Core i9-12900KS.

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