Exciting news is brewing in the tech world as a new retail listing hints at the imminent release of Intel’s latest powerhouse CPU, the Intel Core i9-14900KS “Special Edition.” While Intel is yet to officially unveil its refreshed 14th-gen Raptor Lake CPU, early speculation points towards a mid-March 2024 release, sparking anticipation among tech enthusiasts.

Early benchmarks for the i9-14900KS suggest a slight boost in performance compared to its predecessor, the i9-14900K, launched in October 2023. Boasting eight performance cores, 16 efficiency cores, and 32 threads, the i9-14900KS shares striking similarities with the i9-14900K. With 32 MB of L2 Cache and 36 MB of L3 Cache (Intel Smart Cache), this CPU is geared towards delivering exceptional performance. Notably, the i9-14900KS boasts a higher maximum turbo clock at 6.2 GHz, offering an edge over the i9-14900K’s 6.0 GHz turbo clock. Those aiming for top-tier performance in their Intel builds might find the upgrade enticing.

Wccftech reports that early retail listings from Micro Center reveal a price tag of $749.99 for the Intel Core i9-14900KS “Special Edition,” marking a $50 increase compared to the launch price of its predecessor, the i9-13900KS. It’s worth noting that Intel’s “Special Edition” CPUs typically command a higher price than their flagship counterparts within the same generation. For instance, the i9-12900KS Special Edition launched at $739.99 in 2022, surpassing the i9-12900K’s $589.99 launch price. Following this pattern, the i9-14900KS follows suit with its price increase, given that the i9-14900K launched at $589.99. However, Central Computers briefly listed the new CPU with a launch price of $699.99, indicating that final pricing may not be set in stone. Both the Micro Center and Central Computers listings were taken down shortly after being discovered.

While Intel has not yet officially announced the i9-14900KS CPU, signs point towards an impending announcement and release by the end of the month. Reviewers and overclockers likely already have their hands on the i9-14900KS, meaning official information and in-depth benchmarks are on the horizon. These benchmarks will be crucial for those eager to gauge performance metrics and compare the new CPU to its predecessors and current-gen counterparts from both Intel and AMD.

For gaming enthusiasts looking to harness the full power of the i9-14900KS, it’s poised to be an ideal match for high-end GPUs like the NVIDIA RTX 4080 Super or the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX. While the new CPU is compatible with lower-end GPUs, its robust capabilities make it perfect for high-refresh-rate gaming, ensuring a seamless experience when paired with the best graphics cards for PC gaming in 2024. Get ready for an upgraded gaming and computing experience with the arrival of the Intel Core i9-14900KS “Special Edition”!