For the first time, Intel is releasing the fastest desktop CPU to date, breaking the 6GHz barrier at stock rates. The new Core i9-13900KS is built on the 13th Generation Core i9-13900K, which came close to breaking the 6GHz barrier last year with a 5.8GHz turbo frequency. The new i9-13900KS is available in retailers now for $699.
The 13900KS is the first CPU to achieve 6GHz without overclocking, thanks to Intel’s Thermal Velocity Boost technology, which allows it to break through the 6GHz barrier and increase PC gaming performance. However, it accomplishes so by utilising more power. The 13900K had a basic power of 125 watts, which Intel increased to 150 watts in the 13900KS. It will produce slightly more than 250 watts at full turbo power, much as the 13900K.
With the exception of the power and turbo frequencies, the 13900KS is almost similar to the 13900K. The performance core base rates have been increased from 3GHz to 3.2GHz, but it still features the same 24 cores (eight performance and 16 efficiency cores), 32 threads, 36MB of Intel Smart Cache, and 20 PCIe lanes as the 13900K. (16 PCIe 5 and four PCIe 4 lanes).
With a BIOS update, Z790 and Z690 motherboards will support the 13900KS, and shops will begin putting the CPU packaged on shelves and within OEM systems today. The suggested beginning price is $699.
Intel’s newest CPU is released only weeks before AMD’s Ryzen 7000 X3D CPUs. AMD says their flagship Ryzen 9 7950X3D chip will be the “ideal processor for gamers and creators,” with promises of 15 to 25% higher performance in CPU-bound 1080p games.
