CPUReviews

Intel Core i9-12900K CPU Review

Built for the Next Generation of Gaming

A Closer Look

Intel Core i9-12900K CPU Review 1 12900K, 12th Gen, Alder Lake, Core, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Core i9, Intel

For the last few generations, Intel has sent media a different ‘experience’ than retail customers which amounts to different packaging with some flashy stuff that looks good in pictures. This generation’s model comes in a sleek black box with an outer sleeve.

Intel Core i9-12900K CPU Review 2 12900K, 12th Gen, Alder Lake, Core, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Core i9, Intel

Under the sleeve, you see the Intel logo and a metallic spiral pattern.

Intel Core i9-12900K CPU Review 3 12900K, 12th Gen, Alder Lake, Core, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Core i9, Intel

The magnetic closing lid has the slogan ‘Built for the next generation of gaming’ in the same metallic font as the cover.

Intel Core i9-12900K CPU Review 4 12900K, 12th Gen, Alder Lake, Core, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Core i9, Intel

Directly under the lid is a large metallic shot of the die showing the physical layout of the hybrid core architecture.

Intel Core i9-12900K CPU Review 5 12900K, 12th Gen, Alder Lake, Core, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Core i9, Intel

On the reverse is a panorama of the namesake Alder Lake which is located a short drive south of Seattle Washington, USA.

Intel Core i9-12900K CPU Review 6 12900K, 12th Gen, Alder Lake, Core, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Core i9, Intel

Under the metallic display is an acrylic stand bearing the Intel logo.

Intel Core i9-12900K CPU Review 7 12900K, 12th Gen, Alder Lake, Core, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Core i9, Intel

With the display stand lifted out of the way we find two small boxes nestled in pockets in the bottom, one for each of the i9-12900K and i5-12600K included in the media kit.

Intel Core i9-12900K CPU Review 8 12900K, 12th Gen, Alder Lake, Core, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Core i9, Intel

Inside, Intel’s Core i9-12900K is protected in a clamshell, larger but similar to the previous generations.

Intel Core i9-12900K CPU Review 9 12900K, 12th Gen, Alder Lake, Core, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Core i9, Intel

The new LGA1700 processor is the same width as previous generations but is a taller rectangle shape.

Intel Core i9-12900K CPU Review 10 12900K, 12th Gen, Alder Lake, Core, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Core i9, Intel

The contacts on the back are more densely packed than LGA1500 and LGA1200 series and include a few different sized pads.

Intel Core i9-12900K CPU Review 11 12900K, 12th Gen, Alder Lake, Core, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Core i9, Intel

On the left is an Intel Core i9-9900KS sample from a couple of years ago. On the right is the new larger Intel Core i9-12900K.

Intel Core i9-12900K CPU Review 12 12900K, 12th Gen, Alder Lake, Core, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Core i9, Intel

You can see how much more closely packed the LGA1700 socket contacts are.

Intel Core i9-12900K CPU Review 13 12900K, 12th Gen, Alder Lake, Core, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Core i9, Intel

Aligned, you can see how previous chips were square while the new 12th gen chips are rectangle.

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