An further Intel 14th Gen Core i9 desktop processor featuring Raptor Lake Refresh architecture may be on the horizon; however, this is merely conjecture at this time. An Intel Core i9-14900KS sample has been sighted, with Tencent’s messaging service QQ cited as the source.
This leak was spotted by X (formerly Twitter) user @9550pro. The hardware aficionado states that it is unclear whether or not this CPU is a fake one and whether or not it will even launch. Several parts of the processor sample have been blacked out, such as the QR code and SPEC code, which can be useful in identifying the authenticity of the chip.
Based on previously launched CPUs, the Intel 14th Gen i9-14900KS should come with a higher TDP. Currently, the i9-14900K has a 125W base TDP, and the KS variant could come with a 150W base TDP instead.
With the history of releasing new Core i9 processors with a “KS” designation, Intel has already released the 12th Gen Alder Lake i9-12900KS and the 13th Gen Raptor Lake (i9-13900KS). It is possible that Intel will release the i9-14900KS later in 2024.
By the way, KS variants have had the same core counts as non-KS variants. With this, we can speculate that the i9-14900KS can have 24 cores & 32 threads, just like the i9-14900K.
Before this leak, there was another one (via: AnandTech Forums) showing the speculative Intel Core i9-14900KS CPU in pre-built PCs listed for sale by PC-Online. Here, a clock speed of 6.20GHz was mentioned, 200MHz higher than the non-KS variant.
All of this suggests that Intel’s intentions to broaden its desktop processor portfolio this year may involve the introduction of the i9-14900KS processor, which would round out their 14th Gen range; otherwise, they may decide to drop the KS variant entirely in favor of introducing new desktop CPUs with the “Core Ultra” Meteor Lake architecture.