MicroCenter Leaks Intel Core i9-12900K, Core i7-12700K Retail Pricing

Alder Lake
(Image credit: Intel)

Microcenter (via momomo_us) has spilled the beans on U.S. retail pricing for Intel's upcoming Core i9-12900K and Core i7-12700K Alder Lake-S desktop processors. According to the two product listings for the processors, they will retail for $669.99 and $469.99, respectively.

For comparison, the current-generation Rocket Lake-based Core i9-11900K and Core i7-11700K are priced at $544.89 and $389.99, respectively at Amazon. In other words, if this Alder Lake-S pricing turns out to be accurate, it would represent the highest starting points ever for Core i9 and Core i7 processors.

Intel Alder Lake Pricing

(Image credit: MicroCenter)

The U.S.-based retailer has since removed pricing information, but the product listings and specifications remain. It also appears that Microcenter has already received a slow trickle of Alder Lake processors to its various retail store locations across the country. For example, the Cambridge, MA location shows five Core i9-12900K in stock, while the Parkville, MD store has 6. That's definitely not enough to satisfy demand from enthusiasts. However, we're still at least two weeks away from the alleged November 4th launch of Alder Lake-S, so there's plenty of time for MicroCenter to pad its inventory.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Row 0 - Cell 0 U.S. PriceConfigurationClocksCache
Core i9-12900K / KF$6698P + 8E | 24 threads3.20 ~ 5.20 GHz30MB
Core i9-11900K$5498P | 16 threads3.50 ~ 5.30 GHz16MB
Ryzen 9 5950X$79916P | 32 threads3.40 ~ 4.90 GHz64MB
Core i7-12700K$4698P + 4E | 20 threads3.60 ~ 5.0 GHz25MB
Core i7-11700K$4098P | 16 threads3.60 ~ 5.0 GHz16MB
Ryzen 7 5800X$4498P | 16 threads3.80 ~ 4.70 GHz32MB
Core i5-12600K / KF$343 (K) - $312 (KF)6P + 4E | 16 threads3.70 ~ 4.90 GHz16MB
Core i5-11600K$2726P | 12 threads3.90 ~ 4.90 GHz12MB
Ryzen 5 5600X$2996P | 12 threads3.70 ~ 4.60 GHz32MB

The MicroCenter listings confirm part numbers BX8071512900K for the Core i9-12900K (16 cores, 24 threads) and BX8071512700K for the Core i7-12900K (12 cores, 20 threads). It also confirms that the following four chipsets support the LGA 1700 processors:

  • Intel Z690
  • Intel H670
  • Intel B660
  • Intel H610

The Core i9-12900K is confirmed with a 3.2 GHz base clock, 5.2 GHz turbo clock, 30MB of L3 cache, and a TDP of 125 watts. The Core i7-12700K, on the other hand, operates at a base frequency of 3.6 GHz and a 5.0 GHz turbo frequency with 25MB of L3 cache and a 125-watt TDP. Both processors come backed by a 3-year retail box warranty and support up to DDR4-3200 memory or DDR5-4800 memory. Neither processor comes with a cooler in the box, so you'll have to select one to pair with your new rig.

This is just the latest leak involving Alder Lake in recent days. Yesterday, images leaked of a Core i9-12900K showing off its fancy retail box and included a mock golden wafer (made of plastic). A Core i9-12900K was also recently overclocked to 5.20 GHz across all 16 cores. However, core voltage was increased to 1.385 volts to achieve that feat, resulting in power consumption of 330 watts (versus the stock 125 watts).

According to previous reports, Intel will announce its Alder Lake-S desktop processor family next week, with an official launch shortly after on November 4th.

Brandon Hill

Brandon Hill is a senior editor at Tom's Hardware. He has written about PC and Mac tech since the late 1990s with bylines at AnandTech, DailyTech, and Hot Hardware. When he is not consuming copious amounts of tech news, he can be found enjoying the NC mountains or the beach with his wife and two sons.

  • Makaveli
    The MicroCenter listings confirm part numbers BX8071512900K for the Core i9-12900K (16 cores, 32 threads)

    That should be 24 threads.
    Reply
  • TerryLaze
    Makaveli said:
    The MicroCenter listings confirm part numbers BX8071512900K for the Core i9-12900K (16 cores, 32 threads)

    That should be 24 threads.
    It should be 8C/8c/24t but anyway.
    Reply
  • BX4096
    So according to more recent news: eye-watering 400 watts at 5.3GHz 1.44v, 330W at 5.2GHz, and 11% worse than 5950X in multi-threaded performance.

    I was really looking forward to upgrading, but with this news and at this price point, waiting another year for Raptor Lake and next gen Ryzen (to drive the prices down) seems like the only sensible solution. Too damn bad.
    Reply
  • hannibal
    Well those eye watering results are from heavy OC, so I would not put a lot of weigh to those...
    All in all these are cheaper than I expected, but I would wait test before even considering these based on info about troubles with old games. And also nice to see how this ends up with AMD ddr5 upgrade. I would not jump to ddr5 wagon before seeing what both companies offer in that department...
    Reply
  • BILL1957
    hannibal said:
    Well those eye watering results are from heavy OC, so I would not put a lot of weigh to those...
    All in all these are cheaper than I expected, but I would wait test before even considering these based on info about troubles with old games. And also nice to see how this ends up with AMD ddr5 upgrade. I would not jump to ddr5 wagon before seeing what both companies offer in that department...
    The cost is going to come down to what will it cost to upgrade to the platform and what the real world performance benches. Alder Lakes success could rely on how well the new CPU performance is using the current ddr4 memory and avoiding the much higher new ddr5 standard pricing.

    AMD will not be doing the ddr5 thing until q4 2022 probably with the new zen 4 offerings and by that time will be competing against the Intel Raptor Lake offerings.

    And I agree the issue with the cpu conflict with the older game titles drm is a really big deal.
    I was interested in Alder Lake but unless this is rectified before I build I will not be considering this platform.
    Reply