Intel Core i9 12900KS

However, the Core i9-12900KS might allow Intel to cling to the title of having the fastest gaming chip in the world, a nearly priceless distinction for the Alder Lake brand. Make no mistake: the Special Edition Core i9-12900KS is the fastest desktop PC chip ever built.

Unless you absolutely need the fastest execution times, it'll be worth considering cheaper models from the Core i5 and Core i7 family. Spend the savings on a memory upgrade, bigger SSD, or more powerful graphics card. If you're building a super-high-end gaming powered by the RTX 3090 Ti and have a thousand dollars left, the Core i9-12900KS is probably what you should add next, and with that done, check out watercooling options.