Intel Clocks ‘World’s Fastest Desktop Processor’ at 6.2 GHz Frequency
After months of waiting, Intel has finally released its flagship desktop processor, along with its core specifications.
In October 2023, Intel announced that it would soon release six new variants of its desktop processors with the highest performance in its portfolio. Intel has now released the portfolio's flagship model—the Intel Core i9-14900KS—along with its specifications.
The Intel Core i9-14900KS is the flagship model of the Intel Core 14th Gen desktop processor family.
The Intel Core i9-14900KS is a special edition in the 14th-Gen processor family that has been engineered to push the limits of computing power. Thanks to Intel's Thermal Velocity Boost technology, it achieves a record-breaking turbo frequency of up to 6.2 GHz out of the box. According to Intel, this feature sets the i9-14900KS apart as the world's fastest desktop processor.
Intel Core 14th Gen i9-14900KS
Central to the i9-14900KS's architecture are its 24 cores, including eight performance cores (P-cores) and 16 efficient cores (E-cores), combined with 32 threads. This configuration dynamically allocates computing resources, ensuring high efficiency and performance across a broad spectrum of applications, from gaming to professional content creation. The processor supports up to 192 GB of DDR5 5,600 MT/s or DDR4 3,200 MT/s memory, catering to the high bandwidth requirements of demanding workloads.
Intel Core i9-14900KS vs. AMD Ryzen 97950X
With a base power of 150 W and 36 MB of Intel Smart Cache, the i9-14900KS is designed to handle intensive tasks. Intel's Application Performance Optimization (APO) contributes to up to a 15% performance uplift for gaming and up to 73% improvements in 3D production multitasking workloads compared to the competition.
From a graphical standpoint, the i9-14900KS leverages Intel's UHD Graphics 770, which can drive up to four displays and support high-definition resolutions. This makes it a versatile processor for both gaming rigs and professional workstations requiring multi-display setups. Security and reliability features are also robust in the i9-14900KS, with support for Intel vPro, Intel Threat Detection Technology, Intel Active Management Technology, and several other Intel technologies designed to ensure system integrity and data protection.
Trade-Offs to Speed
A major benefit of the new processor is that it achieves a 6.2-GHz clock speed without having to overclock the system. However, this speed does come at the expense of power consumption and, therefore, thermal management. With a maximum turbo power of 253 W, this processor will necessitate some level of advanced cooling to maintain performance without throttling the system.
The two motherboards compatible with the i9-14900KS, the Z790 and Z690, both implement specialized cooling techniques, including dynamic fan speed control and large VRM and chipset heatsinks, respectively.
Improving Personal Computing
Marketing around new processors is always a nebulous game to play. While Intel’s maximum clock frequency might achieve the designation as the industry’s fastest, that does not necessarily mean that the processor is the industry’s best or most performant. What is certain, however, is that Intel is pushing the limits of its processor lineups generation after generation, even amid an increasingly competitive processing landscape.
All images were used courtesy of Intel.
