Quick Verdict
The 13900KS delivers the highest stock clocks Intel has offered and excellent multi-thread performance, but its modest uplift over the 13900K and elevated power demands make it a niche choice for extreme enthusiasts rather than a mainstream recommendation.
Overview
Launch
2023
Status
LaunchedGeneration
13th Generation
Market
Desktop
The Intel Core i9-13900KS is a special-edition 24-core desktop processor that reaches up to 6.00 GHz out of the box, designed for enthusiasts and creators who want top-end performance on the LGA1700 platform with DDR5 or DDR4 memory and PCIe 5.0 support.
The Core i9-13900KS combines 8 Performance-cores and 16 Efficient-cores with up to 6.00 GHz maximum turbo frequency, 36 MB of L3 cache, and support for DDR5-5600 and DDR4-3200 memory, plus 20 PCIe lanes (16 Gen5 + 4 Gen4). It retains the same 150 W Processor Base Power and 253 W Maximum Turbo Power as the 13900K, but in practice it tends to draw heavily under turbo and requires strong cooling.
Its small real-world performance gains over the 13900K make it best suited to enthusiasts chasing the last few percentage points.
Specifications
Performance
Strong multi-threaded performance across encoding, compilation, and content-creation workloads; improvements over 13900K are modest.
Plenty of threads and VT-x/VT-d support make it well-suited for running multiple VMs and containers, assuming adequate cooling and power delivery.
Offers leading gaming performance at 1080p and 1440p, though gains over the Core i9-13900K are small and title-dependent.
Achieves peak clocks at high power draw; many users may need to configure power limits for better thermals and efficiency.
- •6.00 GHz peak provides top-tier single-thread performance for high-refresh gaming.
- •Real-world advantage over Core i9-13900K is usually small.
- •Requires capable cooling to maintain sustained boost under long sessions.
- •Well-suited for CPU-based AI inference workloads; lacks integrated NPU.
- •Can leverage AVX2 and AVX-512 instructions in supported software for certain workloads.
- •Heavier AI training typically benefits more from dedicated GPUs.
Architecture
Intel 7
Process Node
Raptor Lake
Codename
24C / 32T
Core Config
36 MB
L3 Cache
150 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
Raptor Lake is Intel's 13th-gen performance-hybrid architecture, expanding the counts of both high-performance P-cores and power-efficient E-cores compared to 12th-gen Alder Lake.
CPU Design
The 13900KS pairs 8 P-cores (based on a redesigned Raptor Cove microarchitecture) with 16 E-cores (remaining Gracemont), for 24 cores and 32 threads with Hyper-Threading enabled on P-cores. This design lets the OS schedule latency-sensitive tasks like games to P-cores and background or threaded tasks to E-cores.
Memory Subsystem
Supports dual-channel DDR5 up to 5600 MT/s and DDR4 up to 3200 MT/s, allowing system builders to choose cost or performance paths on 600/700-series motherboards.
PCIe & I/O
Provides 20 direct PCIe lanes from the CPU: a 16-lane segment capable of PCIe 5.0 (for a primary GPU), plus a 4-lane segment at PCIe 4.0 (for high-speed SSDs).
Overclocking
As a 'KS' Special Edition with an unlocked multiplier, the 13900KS uses premium-binned silicon to achieve a 6.00 GHz max turbo (Turbo Boost Max 3.0) and offers headroom for further tuning at the cost of increased power and cooling demands.
- Higher core counts (24 cores vs 16 cores on 12900KS) for better multi-threaded performance.
- Increased frequency headroom with 6.00 GHz peak turbo.
- More total L2 and L3 cache to feed more cores.
- PCIe 5.0 and refined memory compatibility vs 12th gen.
Key Highlights
- First desktop processor to reach 6.00 GHz at stock settings
- 24 cores and 32 threads with hybrid architecture
- Large 36 MB L3 cache and 32 MB total L2 cache
- Supports DDR5-5600 and DDR4-3200 for flexibility
- 20 PCIe lanes with PCIe 5.0 for GPUs and 4.0 for storage
- Unlocked multiplier tailored for overclockers
- Excellent single-threaded and multi-threaded performance
- Higher price than the Core i9-13900K for small performance gains
- High power draw under turbo, requiring robust cooling and power delivery
- Limited to the LGA1700 platform
- Premium-binned 'Special Edition' with limited availability
History
Intel announced the 13th Gen Intel Core family at its Innovation event in September 2022, led by the i9-13900K with hybrid Raptor Lake architecture and 24 cores. On January 12, 2023, Intel followed up with the i9-13900KS Special Edition, disclosing full details and availability and highlighting a 6.00 GHz peak turbo frequency as a milestone for desktop processors.
Positioned as a limited-run, premium-binned part, the 13900KS targeted enthusiasts chasing maximum stock clocks without manual overclocking. The launch underscored Intel's focus on frequency leadership in the consumer desktop segment during the 13th-gen lifecycle.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Higher core counts (24 cores vs 16 cores on 12900KS) for better multi-threaded performance.
- Increased frequency headroom with 6.00 GHz peak turbo.
- More total L2 and L3 cache to feed more cores.
- PCIe 5.0 and refined memory compatibility vs 12th gen.
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
You are an extreme enthusiast or overclocker chasing the highest stock clocks and do not mind the extra cost and cooling requirements.
Avoid if…
- You prioritize value for money.
- You want lower power consumption and quieter operation.
- You prefer a sensible upgrade path beyond LGA1700.
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
First consumer desktop CPU to hit 6.00 GHz out of the box, enabled by Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0.
Marketed as a Special Edition with limited production, using hand-selected higher-binning silicon.
Maintains the same 150 W Processor Base Power and 253 W Maximum Turbo Power as the 13900K on official specs.
Combined L2 cache totals 32 MB, alongside 36 MB of shared L3 cache.
Supports up to 192 GB of memory, with ECC support depending on motherboard implementation.
Announced with full details on January 12, 2023.
Uses Intel 7 process (formerly 10nm Enhanced SuperFin) for 13th Gen Raptor Lake.
Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 770 is present for display out and basic graphics.
Launch came during the broader Raptor Lake rollout, extending the hybrid architecture introduced in Alder Lake.
Tom's Hardware noted launch pricing at $699, positioning it above the 13900K.
People Also Ask
What is the clock speed of Intel Core i9-13900KS?
The Core i9-13900KS can reach up to 6.00 GHz via Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0, with P-core max turbo at 5.80 GHz.
Is the Intel Core i9-13900KS worth it over the 13900K?
For most users, the 13900K offers better value because the KS provides only a small clock bump for a higher price and increased cooling demands.
What socket does Intel Core i9-13900KS use?
The 13900KS uses the FCLGA1700 socket and is compatible with Intel 600 and 700-series chipset motherboards that support it.
Does Intel Core i9-13900KS have integrated graphics?
Yes, it includes Intel UHD Graphics 770.
What is the TDP of Intel Core i9-13900KS?
Intel lists 150 W Processor Base Power and 253 W Maximum Turbo Power for the 13900KS.
Does Intel Core i9-13900KS support DDR5?
Yes, the 13900KS supports up to DDR5-5600 MT/s, as well as DDR4-3200 MT/s, depending on the motherboard.
How many PCIe lanes does the Intel Core i9-13900KS have?
It provides 20 PCIe lanes from the CPU: up to 16 lanes of PCIe 5.0 and 4 lanes of PCIe 4.0.
Can Intel Core i9-13900KS overclock?
Yes, the 13900KS has an unlocked multiplier and is specifically binned for higher overclocking headroom.
Is the Intel Core i9-13900KS good for gaming?
Yes, it delivers very strong gaming performance, particularly at high refresh rates, though gains over the 13900K are marginal.
Does Intel Core i9-13900KS support ECC memory?
The processor supports ECC memory depending on the motherboard implementation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cooling is recommended for the Core i9-13900KS?
High-end air cooling or, preferably, a 280 mm or larger liquid cooler is recommended to manage thermals under sustained turbo loads.
Can I use DDR4 with the Intel Core i9-13900KS?
Yes, the CPU supports DDR4-3200 on compatible motherboards; DDR5-5600 is also supported.
Does the Core i9-13900KS work on Z690 motherboards?
Yes, it works on Z690 and Z790 boards that have the necessary BIOS updates to support 13th-gen CPUs.
What is the difference between 13900K and 13900KS?
The 13900KS is a special-edition, higher-binned SKU with up to 6.00 GHz max turbo, slightly higher P-core base, and typically higher price.
Does the Intel Core i9-13900KS run hot?
Under turbo workloads it can run near 100 C, especially if power limits are left unrestricted, so proper cooling and case airflow are important.
Is the Intel Core i9-13900KS a good choice for video editing?
Yes, with many cores and high clocks it excels at video editing and encoding tasks.
What is the max memory size supported by the 13900KS?
Intel lists up to 192 GB of memory support for the Core i9-13900KS.
Does the 13900KS support PCIe 5.0 SSDs?
PCIe 5.0 lanes from the CPU are typically allocated to the primary GPU; chipset and motherboard routing determine availability of PCIe 5.0 for SSDs.
Is Hyper-Threading enabled on all cores?
Hyper-Threading is enabled on the 8 P-cores (each presenting two threads), while the 16 E-cores are single-thread per core.
Does the 13900KS support virtualization technologies?
Yes, it supports Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT).