There are numerous instances where Intel contradicts their own terms. For example, Intel Extreme Tuning Utility software (XTU) and the Product Specifications website both have inconsistencies with the Datasheets, which use proper terminology.
With respect to terminology, Intel’s Product Specifications website incorrectly shows either “Tcase” or “Tjunction” as
specifications. In that context, both are technically improper terms. The Datasheets, which use proper terminology, instead show “Tcase
Max” and “Tj
Max”.
For the record, “Tcase
Max” is a
specification, while “Tcase” is IHS
temperature. Correspondingly, “Tj
Max” is a
specification, while “Tjunction” is Core
temperature.
Some 13 or 14 years ago when I was consulting with Arthur Liberman, who is the author of Core Temp, I brought this very point of terminology contention to his attention concerning his excellent utility. Core Temp was showing "Tjunction" which back in the day, users found confusing. I asked him if he would simply change the term to instead show "TjMax" which he implemented in the next update.
Regarding the 12900KS, those who administrate the Product Specifications website are sorely lacking in attention to detail, since the website has yet to show a value for "Tjunction", which is actually Tj Max, just as you have pointed out. However, as always, the Datasheets show the correct values for 12th Gen processors, and use proper terminology.
Go to the website for the
i9-12900KS then scroll down to "Supplemental Information" and click on "view now" next to "Datasheet". Under the 12th Gen Family click on "Volume 1" which will download the correct Datasheet.
Go to Section 4, Thermal Management, then to page 101, which shows Table 25, Thermal Margin Slope. There in the 1st row you will see 8 + 8 Core, 150 Watts which is the 12900KS. Next to that it shows TCC Activation at 100°C which is THERMTRIP and is synonymous with TjMax, just like all the other 12th Gen Desktop processors of various stock coolers, Core counts and Wattages.
You mentioned that "I guess I've been mistaken all along in my belief that the Tjunction temperature listed on the specifications page for each processor IS the Tjunction max, but clearly it seems that is not the case." Actually, that IS the case. Tjuntion on the website IS TjMax in the Datasheets. Here's where your confusion may lie ...
Some 9th through 12th Generation motherboards have a "Feature" that allows the user to
violate TJ Max with an "Offset" adjustment in BIOS which can increase Intel's thermal limit from
100°C, where most processors Throttle, to
115°C which can potentially quickly damage a CPU. We see this on the Forums where some knuckleheads think it's a "cool" work-around that can compensate for inadequate cooling.
These posts are very misleading and confusing in that they dupe the uninformed into thinking that TjMax is actually higher than "what they've heard". Tampering with this BIOS setting is is a serious no-no, which I adamantly discourage. The motherboard manufacturers use this "Feature" as a competitive marketing ploy, which was an extremely bad idea from concept to implementation. -Computronix