Benchlife reports, "Intel plans to launch the Intel Core i9 in mid-March 2024," based on reliable sources. The Core i9-14900KS is poised to claim the title of the world's fastest gaming CPU, with historical precedents suggesting releases in early April for KS CPUs.
Although Intel has yet to officially confirm the release of the Core i9 KS special edition, the mounting evidence from leaks indicates an imminent launch. It is speculated that Intel has allowed ample time for the 'standard' Core i9-14900K to saturate the market and accumulate a reserve of premium chips for the 'special edition' variant. The Core i9-14900KS is expected to feature a 200 MHz higher maximum turbo frequency out of the box, albeit with a potential impact on efficiency. A comparison between the established Intel Core i9-14900K and the rumored 14900KS reveals anticipated key differences. While the 6.2 GHz turbo clock stands out as a highlight of the Core i9-14900KS, the reported 410W maximum power consumption is based on recent leaks. In actual testing, the Core i9-14900K demonstrated an official maximum thermal power (MTP) of 253W, peaking at 385W, with an average of 339W during benchmarks. Upon the arrival of the Core i9-14900KS, it will be intriguing to observe Intel's marketing strategy and the cooling solutions necessary to unleash its full potential.
Update:
Hardware researcher momomo_us has recently revealed details about Intel's upcoming Raptor Lake Refresh flagship processor through two product codes, "BX8071514900KS" and "CM8071504820506," found on PC21 France's website. Intel plans to offer this processor in two formats: a standard boxed version and a tray version aimed at system integrators. The tray version, which lacks fancy packaging and cooling accessories, offers a more economical option for those not requiring these add-ons. Although the Core i9-14900KS is not considered a budget processor, the listings indicate that the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) version could be €16 ($17.25) less expensive than the retail boxed version. The French retailer lists the boxed version at €768.34 ($828) including taxes, and the tray version at €752.62 (~$811) with VAT. These prices might change as they could be preliminary estimates from distributors before the official release.
Retailer | Core i9-14900KS | Core i9-14900K |
---|---|---|
Unknown French Retailer Box | €640.29 (€768 after tax) | ? |
Unknown French Retailer Tray | €627.19 (€753 after tax) | ? |
Orderflow | €714.69 | €582.37 |
freecall24 | €718.48 | €603.64 |
Scheuss & Partner | €689.99 (€745.88 after tax) | N/A |
PC21 France has not provided prices for the existing Core i9-14900K and 14900KF models, but other retailers in France suggest there could be up to a €146 difference between the "K" and "KS" versions, in the best-case scenario.
Unconfirmed specs |
Core i9-14900K | Core i9-14900KS |
---|---|---|
Architecture |
Raptor Lake Refresh |
Raptor Lake Refresh |
Cores / Threads |
24 (8P + 16E) / 32 |
24 (8P + 16E) / 32 |
Base Clock (GHz) |
3.2 | 3.2 |
Turbo Clocks (GHz) |
6.0 (1T), 5.6 (multi) | 6.2 (1T, 2T), X.X (multi) |
Caches (MB) |
32 (L2), 36 (L3) |
32 (L2), 36 (L3) |
Max Turbo Power (W) |
253 | 410 |