Intel has released its fastest desktop processor to date, the Core i9-13900KS, which is based on the 13th Gen Core i9-13900K.
The processor is capable of reaching a maximum turbo frequency of 6GHz at stock speeds, breaking the 6GHz barrier for the first time without the need for overclocking. It achieves this by using Intel’s Thermal Velocity Boost technology, which improves PC gaming performance by using more electricity. The base power of the 13900KS is 150 watts, and at max turbo power it will hit slightly above 250 watts.
The 13900KS is almost identical to the 13900K in terms of performance, it has a base frequency of 3.2GHz, 24 cores (8 performance and 16 efficiency cores), 32 threads, 36MB of Intel Smart Cache, and 20 PCIe lanes (16 PCIe 5 and 4 PCIe 4 lanes). Z790 and Z690 motherboards will support the 13900KS with a BIOS update, and it will be available for purchase at a recommended starting price of $699.
It’s worth noting that the release of this processor comes just weeks before AMD’s launch of its Ryzen 7000 X3D CPUs. AMD claims that its flagship Ryzen 9 7950X3D chip will be the “ultimate processor for gamers and creators,” with promises of between 15 and 25 percent better performance in games that are CPU bound at 1080p.
