Intel Core i9-14900KS ‘Special Edition’ CPU with 6.2 GHz Clock Speed – A New Milestone

The information originates from the Israeli retailer PC-Online, which has disclosed a series of pre-built PCs featuring the unreleased Core i9-14900KS CPU. Although the Core i9-14900KS has not been officially announced, it appears that Intel has already shared detailed information about the chip with its PC partners, retailers, and distributors.

This move potentially breaches any embargo agreement with Intel, assuming there was one in place initially. Earlier speculations dating back to May hinted at the possibility of the 14900KS debuting with a clock speed of 6.2 GHz.

The All New Intel Core i9-14900KS

In terms of specifications, the Intel Core i9-14900KS Desktop CPU is expected to mirror the configuration of the Core i9-14900K, featuring 24 cores arranged in an 8 P-Core and 16 E-Core layout, along with 32 threads. The boost clock is anticipated to reach up to 6.20 GHz, marking a 200 MHz increase compared to the Core i9-13900KS and the Core i9-14900K, both of which operate at a maximum of 6.0 GHz. The CPU is also expected to retain its 36 MB of L3 cache and 32 MB of L2 cache.

As for the thermal design power (TDP), the Intel Core i9-14900KS is projected to align more closely with the Core i9-13900KS than the Core i9-14900K, boasting a base power of 150W and a maximum turbo power of 253W. However, actual power consumption may approach 300W, based on the precedent set by the 13900KS.

The peculiar aspect of the listings lies in the use of DDR4-3200 memory instead of the more forward-looking DDR5 DRAM standard, a choice that seems unconventional for a chip of this caliber. While this could be dismissed as a potential typo, the explicit mention of clock speeds raises questions. It is plausible that the retailer is estimating clock speeds based on the +200 MHz increment observed with each 14th-gen chip.

In any case, the anticipation for an Intel Core i9-14900KS is heightened, especially considering that until late 2024 (Arrow Lake-S), Intel’s offerings are expected to be limited to clock speed enhancements. Foreseen as a binned variant of the 14900K, the 14900KS is likely to break some world records, following in the footsteps of its predecessor, which achieved speeds of up to 9.1 GHz. The official unveiling of the Core i9-14900KS is expected either during the December 14th launch event for Meteor Lake/Emerald Rapids or at CES 2024.