Newegg pairs Intel’s 16-core i9-12900KF with a free ASUS Z790 motherboard for $334.99
If you need both a processor and a motherboard for a new PC, Newegg has an interesting combination: the Intel Core i9-12900KF costs $334.99 and comes with an ASUS Z790 GAMING WIFI7 motherboard as a free gift. The processor is an older 12th-generation model, but the included board makes the bundle worth a closer look.
When I checked, the new boxed CPU was sold and shipped by Newegg, and the ASUS board appeared in the cart as an included gift. No coupon or paid membership was needed for the displayed price. Make sure the motherboard is still selected and included before ordering, because the gift is a limited offer.
Newegg also listed that same motherboard separately for $169.99. At the checked prices, buying the $334.99 processor and $169.99 board separately would add up to $504.98 before tax, so the included board accounts for a $169.99 difference. That is a comparison of current individual prices, not a claim that the bundle previously sold for $504.98.
The Core i9-12900KF is a 16-core desktop processor without integrated graphics. Image: TK Computer KH
- Free ASUS Z790 GAMING WIFI7 motherboard included while available
- Comparison price
- $504.98, the sum of Newegg’s separately listed $334.99 CPU and $169.99 motherboard prices
- No integrated graphics or CPU cooler
The free ASUS board gives the build DDR5 and Wi-Fi 7
The included Z790 GAMING WIFI7 is an ATX motherboard with an LGA 1700 socket. ASUS lists four DDR5 memory slots, three M.2 slots and a PCIe 5.0 slot for graphics, along with Wi-Fi 7. Check that your case supports an ATX board before putting the rest of the parts list together.
Those features are useful if you are building from scratch. If you already have a compatible LGA 1700 board, though, the free motherboard may be less valuable to you; other retailers may price the processor alone differently.
The included ASUS Z790 GAMING WIFI7 uses DDR5 memory and an LGA 1700 socket. Image: ASUS
The 12900KF still needs a graphics card and a cooler
Intel’s specifications list 16 cores split between eight performance and eight efficient cores, 24 threads and a maximum turbo frequency of up to 5.2GHz. Processor base power is 125W, while maximum turbo power is listed at 241W, so choose a suitable cooler and power supply for the rest of your system.
The motherboard includes Wi-Fi 7 and a selection of rear ports. Image: ASUS
There is no integrated graphics on the 12900KF, and the boxed processor does not include a cooler. You will need a separate graphics card and a compatible LGA 1700 cooling solution. Also, although the processor can work with DDR4 on some boards, this ASUS motherboard uses DDR5.
Before you buy, open the Newegg offer and confirm that the free Z790 GAMING WIFI7 appears alongside the new processor in your cart. You will still need memory, storage, a case and the other parts for a complete PC.
Image credits: ASUS; TK Computer KH.
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