Alleged Intel Core i9-14900KS photo raises hopes of impending launch - but the image has inconsistencies

Alleged Intel Core i9-14900KS
(Image credit: HXL / QQ)

A purported photo of an Intel Core i9-14900KS processor has been shared by Twitter-based hardware hound HXL. On this occasion the source doesn’t want to stake their reputation on the authenticity of the image, discovered on Chinese social media platform QQ, admitting “I don't know if it's fake or not.”

Provided with the quite clear close-up of the alleged Core i9-14900KS chip, we immediately started to look closer for any telltale signs of digital sleight-of-hand, shenanigans, or skullduggery. Concentrating on the typography – variables like character shapes, kerning, baselines, and others - we aren’t very convinced by the etching on the integrated heat spreader (IHS).

Alleged Intel Core i9-14900KS type compared

(Image credit: Future)

Our initial comparisons of the text on the alleged Core i9-14900KS show it is inconsistent with both the Core i9-14900K and the i9-13900KS chips we have seen. We used top-down images of review samples of the previously released chips, and differences to the leaked image existed in several characters. At the image magnifications used, there was some degree of pixelation, though. Lastly, these differences can't be claimed to be a 'smoking gun', as whatever production facility Intel might use to engrave chips may just be printing things differently now…

This may be the first shot of a Core i9-14900KS chip, if genuine, but we have previous evidence of Intel preparing a follow-up to the Core i9-13900KS. In November we saw an Israeli electronics retailer list several pre-built PC systems that were said to be configured with Core i9-14900KS processors. It didn’t look like a simple typo because a faster boost clock of 6.2 GHz was also mentioned.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
ProcessorMSRPCores / Threads (P+E)P-Core Base / Boost Clock (GHz)E-Core Base / Boost Clock (GHz)Cache (L2/L3)PBP / MTPMemory
Core i9-14900KS?24 / 32 (8+16)? / 6.2? / ?68MB (32+36)?DDR4-3200 / DDR5-5600
Core i9-14900K / KF$599 (K) - $574 (KF)24 / 32 (8+16)3.2 / 6.02.4 / 4.468MB (32+36)125W / 253WDDR4-3200 / DDR5-5600
Core i9-13900KS$69924 / 32 (8+16)3.0 / 6.02.2 / 4.368MB (32+36)150W / 253WDDR4-3200 / DDR5-5600
Core i9-13900K / KF$599 (K) - $574 (KF)24 / 32 (8+16)3.0 / 5.82.2 / 4.368MB (32+36)125W / 253WDDR4-3200 / DDR5-5600

Another thing to consider, whether this leaked photo is the real deal, is that at CES 2023 Intel launched the non-K Raptor Lake desktop CPUs – while grabbing headlines with the 13900KS at 6.0 GHz. It could be an easy rinse-and-repeat for Intel if it did the same trick this year with the non-K Raptor Lake Refresh desktop CPUs and 14900KS at 6.2 GHz. If this is indeed being cued up for a CES 2024 event we won’t have to wait long to find out the official specs, availability, and pricing.

Mark Tyson
News Editor

Mark Tyson is a news editor at Tom's Hardware. He enjoys covering the full breadth of PC tech; from business and semiconductor design to products approaching the edge of reason.

  • Roland Of Gilead
    What do you mean 'raises hopes'!? I don't know anyone hoping for this one to come along. If they do launch it, it will be to little fanfare. My hope is they never see daylight! ;) What a waste of silicon.
    Reply
  • TerryLaze
    Roland Of Gilead said:
    I don't know anyone hoping for this one to come along.
    How many people do you know?! Just for reference...
    I bet there are many people that didn't get the K version and are waiting for the ks for the better clocks and better power/thermals.
    Roland Of Gilead said:
    My hope is they never see daylight!
    Why?! Is AMD cutting your bonus for every ks sold or something? Why would anybody care if they get released or not other than those that want to buy it.
    Roland Of Gilead said:
    What a waste of silicon.
    Since these are binned and not made separately there is no waste going on.
    Reply
  • ThomasKinsley
    $700 for 8p cores in 2023. I know people will buy it, but it's not worth it.
    Reply
  • Roland Of Gilead
    TerryLaze said:
    How many people do you know?! Just for reference...
    I bet there are many people that didn't get the K version and are waiting for the ks for the better clocks and better power/thermals.

    Why?! Is AMD cutting your bonus for every ks sold or something? Why would anybody care if they get released or not other than those that want to buy it.

    Since these are binned and not made separately there is no waste going on.
    Ah, @TerryLaze , it was a joke. You remember those, don't you? A joke.....

    But seeing as your are kinda trolling Intel threads, and being an obvious fan, I'd ask what is the redeeming quality of a ks? That it boosts 200mhz to 6.2ghz or maybe the extra 100-120$ premium or the very efficient 359w power draw at full loads.?

    Suggesting that people who didn't buy a k processer would want to upgrade to this power hog, is a bit fanciful. How many people do you think that is in terms of total sales? I see in most sites in the USA and Europe, that AMD CPU's outsell 14th Gen Intel. Do you think the ks will change that? Na, probably not.

    Please don't make this thread something personal. Your questions about how many people I know, or how much AMD are or are not paying me ( they don't BTW), is a bit borderline. So chill. If you have something positive to say about this ks variant other than higher binning, well, that would be welcome.
    Reply
  • TerryLaze
    Roland Of Gilead said:
    How many people do you think that is in terms of total sales?
    Enough for intel to keep doing it, for how many generations now? And before that siliconlottery was doing it profitably for years as well.
    Roland Of Gilead said:
    I see in most sites in the USA and Europe, that AMD CPU's outsell 14th Gen Intel.
    AMD is at around 20% market share, it doesn't matter how many shops you find that sell more amd cpus that intel cpus.
    https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/cpus/amd-comes-roaring-back-gains-market-share-in-laptops-pcs-and-server-cpus
    Reply