Xeon Gold 6526Y vs Core i9-12900KS
Xeon Gold 6526Y
Core i9-12900KS
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon Gold 6526Y
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-12900KS
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6526Y | Core i9-12900KS |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,878) | ✅ More affordable ($385) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Emerald Rapids (2023) / Intel 7 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon Gold 6526Y | Core i9-12900KS |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+653%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,878) | ✅ More affordable ($385) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon Gold 6526Y and Core i9-12900KS
Xeon Gold 6526Y
The Xeon Gold 6526Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Emerald Rapids (2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 37.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 195 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 43,195 points. Launch price was $1,517.
Core i9-12900KS
The Core i9-12900KS is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 43,528 points. Launch price was $499.
Processing Power
The Xeon Gold 6526Y packs 16 cores / 32 threads, matching the Core i9-12900KS's 16 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6526Y versus 5.3 GHz on the Core i9-12900KS — a 30.4% clock advantage for the Core i9-12900KS (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6526Y uses the Emerald Rapids (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i9-12900KS uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Gold 6526Y scores 43,195 against the Core i9-12900KS's 43,528 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i9-12900KS. L3 cache: 37.5 MB (total) on the Xeon Gold 6526Y vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i9-12900KS.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6526Y | Core i9-12900KS |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 32 | 16 / 24 |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz | 5.3 GHz+36% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3.4 GHz+21% |
| L3 Cache | 37.5 MB (total)+25% | 30 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core)+60% | 1.25 MB (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm | Intel 7 nm |
| Architecture | Emerald Rapids (2023) | Alder Lake-S (2022) |
| PassMark | 43,195 | 43,528 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 27,796 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,082 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon Gold 6526Y uses the LGA4677 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-12900KS uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 5200 on the Xeon Gold 6526Y versus DDR5-4800 on the Core i9-12900KS — the Xeon Gold 6526Y supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6526Y supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 128 GB — 187.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (Xeon Gold 6526Y) vs 2 (Core i9-12900KS). PCIe lanes: 80 (Xeon Gold 6526Y) vs 20 (Core i9-12900KS) — the Xeon Gold 6526Y offers 60 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C741 (Xeon Gold 6526Y) and LGA1700 (Core i9-12900KS).
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6526Y | Core i9-12900KS |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA4677 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 5200+103900% | DDR5-4800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4096 | 128 GB+3276700% |
| RAM Channels | 8+300% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 80+300% | 20 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i9-12900KS has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i9-12900KS includes integrated graphics (UHD 770), while the Xeon Gold 6526Y requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6526Y rivals EPYC 9334.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6526Y | Core i9-12900KS |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | UHD 770 |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
Value Analysis
The Xeon Gold 6526Y launched at $2878 MSRP, while the Core i9-12900KS debuted at $739.
| Feature | Xeon Gold 6526Y | Core i9-12900KS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2878 | $739-74% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $385 |
| Release Date | 2023 | 2022 |
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