How does Core i9 12900E handle gaming, and how large is the gap versus cheaper models?

  The Core i9 12900E is a 16-core/24-thread embedded part. It games fine — 8 performance cores, 24 threads, and a decent GPU handles 1080p high-refresh and 1440p without trouble. The real variable is the board it sits on: embedded boards have different power limits, BIOS policies, and cooling, and some throttle the chip hard.

  So don't judge by the "i9" badge — judge the actual system. If it's an industrial box built around a 12900E, there are better gaming options. If you're building yourself, a normal desktop part like the 12700 or 13700 costs similar, is easier to buy, and gives you far more motherboard choices.