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CPU comparison

Intel Core i9-12900K vs Intel Core i9-14900

Benchmark comparison and full specifications, with the measured difference and a clear winner for gaming, office work, daily use and content creation.

ACheck Price on AmazonIntel Core i9-12900KBCheck Price on AmazonIntel Core i9-14900

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are set by Amazon.

APart A

Intel

Core i9-12900K

  • Blender render score 339 samples/min
  • Cores 16
  • Max boost clock 5.2 GHz
VS

BPart B

Intel

Core i9-14900

  • Blender render score 339 samples/min
  • Cores 24
  • Max boost clock 5.8 GHz
Compare other parts

01 · Performance profile

How they score

Scores out of 100 for each way you might use a processor. The chart shows where both parts rank among all 667 CPUs in our database.

Measured performance

Both parts post the same Blender benchmark score

AIntel Core i9-12900K339

Median of 13 submissions

BIntel Core i9-14900339

Median of 1 submission

Blender Benchmark render score (samples per minute, higher is faster), the median of community-submitted results from Blender Open Data. One of these parts has very few submissions, so treat the gap as indicative.

A
B
Lowest: 2Average: 22Highest: 79

Gaming

A61%Good
B75%Excellent

Better pick: Core i9-14900 · Max boost clock: 5.8 GHz vs 5.2 GHz

Office Work

A72%Good
B88%Excellent

Better pick: Core i9-14900 · TDP / base power: 65 W vs 125 W

Daily Use

A64%Good
B76%Excellent

Better pick: Core i9-14900 · TDP / base power: 65 W vs 125 W

Content Creation

A55%Good
B63%Good

Better pick: Core i9-14900 · Threads: 32 vs 24

02 · Verdict

Intel Core i9-14900 comes out ahead

It wins 5 of 8 compared specifications and scores higher overall. Check current prices before you buy.

AIntel Core i9-12900K

63/100

BIntel Core i9-14900

76/100

AIntel Core i9-12900K

Advantages

  • Base clock 3.2 GHz vs 2.0 GHz (60% higher)

Disadvantages

  • TDP / base power 125 W vs 65 W (92% higher)
  • Cores 16 vs 24 (33% lower)
  • Threads 24 vs 32 (25% lower)
  • L3 cache 30 MB vs 36 MB (17% lower)
  • Max boost clock 5.2 GHz vs 5.8 GHz (10% lower)

BIntel Core i9-14900

Advantages

  • Cores 24 vs 16 (50% higher)
  • TDP / base power 65 W vs 125 W (48% lower)
  • Threads 32 vs 24 (33% higher)
  • L3 cache 36 MB vs 30 MB (20% higher)
  • Max boost clock 5.8 GHz vs 5.2 GHz (12% higher)

Disadvantages

  • Base clock 2.0 GHz vs 3.2 GHz (38% lower)

03 · Full comparison

Side-by-side specifications

SpecificationAIntel Core i9-12900KBIntel Core i9-14900
Measured performance
Blender render scoreMedian of community-submitted Blender Benchmark results (Blender Open Data). Higher is faster.339 samples/min339 samples/min
Benchmark submissionsHow many results the median is based on. Small numbers are less reliable.131
Cores & clocks
Cores1624 Better +50%
Efficiency (E) cores816
Threads2432 Better +33%
Base clock3.2 GHz Better +60%2.0 GHz
Max boost clock5.2 GHz5.8 GHz Better +12%
Memory & cache
L3 cache30 MB36 MB Better +20%
Memory supportDDR4 / DDR5DDR4 / DDR5
Power
TDP / base power125 W65 W Better
Features
Integrated graphicsYesYes
Platform
ArchitectureAlder LakeRaptor Lake Refresh
SocketLGA1700LGA1700
Manufacturing processIntel 7Intel 7
Release year20212024
Launch price$589$549

Ready to buy?

Prices change daily. Check the current price of each part.

ACheck Price on Amazon: Core i9-12900KBCheck Price on Amazon: Core i9-14900

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are set by Amazon.

Intel Core i9-12900K vs Intel Core i9-14900 at a glance

This page compares the Intel Core i9-12900K and the Intel Core i9-14900 using published specifications and real measured benchmark results. Intel Core i9-12900K and Intel Core i9-14900 post the same median Blender Benchmark score of 339.

Intel Core i9-12900K: 16 cores, 24 threads, 5.2 GHz max boost clock, 125 W tdp / base power, released in 2021, launched at $589. Intel Core i9-14900: 24 cores, 32 threads, 5.8 GHz max boost clock, 65 W tdp / base power, released in 2024, launched at $549.

Our overall scores are 63 for Core i9-12900K and 76 for Core i9-14900 out of 100. By use case, the better pick is, for gaming: Core i9-14900; for office work: Core i9-14900; for daily use: Core i9-14900; for content creation: Core i9-14900. Blender measures rendering rather than game frame rates, so treat the gaming result as a guide built from render performance and specifications.

Core i9-12900K vs Core i9-14900 FAQ

Which is faster, the Core i9-12900K or the Core i9-14900?

Intel Core i9-12900K and Intel Core i9-14900 post the same median Blender Benchmark score of 339.

Which uses more power, the Core i9-12900K or the Core i9-14900?

The Intel Core i9-12900K is rated at 125 W and the Intel Core i9-14900 at 65 W, so the Core i9-14900 draws 92% less on paper. Rated power is not the same as power drawn in your own workload.

How much did the Core i9-12900K and the Core i9-14900 cost at launch?

The Intel Core i9-12900K launched at $589 and the Intel Core i9-14900 at $549. Street prices change often, so check a current price before buying.

Is the Core i9-12900K or the Core i9-14900 better for gaming?

Our gaming score favours the Intel Core i9-14900 (61 vs 75 out of 100). That score blends measured render performance with clock speed, cache and memory, because no game benchmark is included in our data.

More CPU comparisons

About this data

Benchmark numbers come from Blender Open Data, a public collection of results submitted by real users, shown as medians with the submission count. Specifications and launch prices are compiled from manufacturer information and may contain mistakes. See how it all works on thePC Parts Comparison page, or report an error through our contact page. This page contains affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.