Intel ks processor
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Those looking to kick it old-school might opt for our A115 air cooler, instead.
Overclocking a CPU requires a deep understanding of how the CPU functions when pushed beyond its default speed. Unlike the typical Core i9-13900K(F), the KS variant features a heavily or carefully selected silicone that makes it possible to achieve 6GHz of clock speed out of the box.
Both the Core i9-13900KS and Core i9-13900K are basically identical CPUs.
The Core i9-13900K came with a launch price of $589 USD. Meanwhile, the Core i9-13900KS has a launch price of $699. Building a PC nowadays is not cheap, so spending less on a CPU would be helpful.
Still, the former is a significantly expensive CPU.
I recommend you check out Hardware Unboxed’s full review here.
See also: Intel 14th Gen vs 13th Gen Desktop CPU
Pricing and Availability
The 13th gen Intel Core i9-13900KS special edition processor is now available and comes with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $699.
But let’s say you are more on the blue team (Intel); you will probably run into CPU models with letters like F, KF, and K. These were not part of the processor options in the past, so it might be a bit confusing initially. Because of its higher clock speeds, the KS series CPU also has a higher base power consumption, which translates into higher temperatures and the need for a more efficient cooling system.
Performance
According to data from cpubenchmark.net, while the Intel® Core i9-14900F is still one of the best CPUs available for gaming, it isn’t the best deal in terms of performance vs price.
This makes them an excellent option for overclocking, and they are priced lower than the K processors. These processors have an integrated GPU, and the i5 variant offers even better performance. While KF and K series CPUs are almost the same, the difference is that the latter also comes with integrated graphics (
K and KS series CPUs are also almost identical, both include integrated graphics but the latter can achieve slightly higher clock speeds.
Check out some of the fastest graphics cards here.
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Peter is a PC enthusiast and avid gamer with several years of hands-on experience in testing and reviewing PC components, audio equipment, and various tech devices.
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Intel Core i9-13900KS is available on Amazon.com here or Amazon.UK here.
Intel Core i9-13900K is available on Amazon.com here or Amazon.UK here.
Should You Buy The Core i9-13900KS? But keep in mind that as shown by the people over at anandtech.com, despite its marginally lower clock speeds (we are talking only a 0.1-0.2 GHz difference) compared to the KS series CPU, the Intel® Core i9-14900K is still a fantastic option, only slightly outperformed by the Intel® Core i9-14900KS on single-threaded tests.
Regarding the Intel® Core i9-14900F, we don’t feel like recommending it at this point in time for its current price, mainly because of its relatively low performance compared to cheaper alternatives.
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What is the difference between the K, KS, F and KF CPUs from Intel?
Intel has been a household name for decades and is globally renowned for manufacturing CPUs (Central Processing Unit) for OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and mainstream PC consumers.
Understanding them helps PC enthusiasts and hardware buyers alike - so you can consciously choose a CPU for your needs without making wrong assumptions about its capabilities.
Pricing
As of the date of this post, Intel’s recommended price ranges for the Intel® Core i9-14900F, Intel® Core i9-14900KF, Intel® Core i9-14900K, and Intel® Core i9-14900KS are $524.00-$554.00, $564.00-$574.00, $589.00-$599.00, and $689.00-$699.00, respectively.
Final Considerations
According to Intel.com, the Intel® Core i9-14900KS, delivering up to 6.2 GHz max turbo frequency, holds the title of the world’s fastest desktop processor and is ideal both for gamers and content creators.
From gaming, streaming, and content creation to video editing, they are all well within the KF CPU capability as long that you pair it with a high-performance graphics card (GPU). Just like the previous “KS” variant of processors, the Core i9-13900KS is simply a heavily binned or carefully selected silicone that can reach 6GHz easily.
The second-best choice would be the Intel® Core i9-14900K, thanks to its competitive performance and integrated graphics, absent in the Intel® Core i9-14900KF.
Most notably, Its average CPU mark beats the flagship of the competition, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, even if only by a small margin.