I was using KPX, but just tried re-pasting with Ceramique, the stuff that comes with the V2, and tried a different application technique. Results are the same.

My KS measures 94 overall, P 102 and E 78. Cooler rating varies from 163 to 168. Q-fans set on Turbo. 1304 Bios set to default plus XMP II 6000, but removing XMP doesn't seem to matter. R23 cranks up 249 w and 94-96 C. Must be missing something.

Took extra look at mounting of the V2. I tested contact by putting small dots of lipstick on the clean IHS, saw a slight geometry problem, and corrected it. Followed advice from Optimus and pasted with KPx and finger-very-tight compression. Still results were the same. Called Intel and they got online to test the chip. They ran XTU same as I did unsuccessfully earlier; judgement: bad chip. Exchange is in process.

Aida64 Stresstest max. temp:

12700K: 58 degrees SP65
12900KS: 88 degrees SP88

HWLabs GTR 480 + 8x Noctua NF-12A

Whats with Intels XTU ? A stresstest which cant complete?

It ran with 89 C max temp, but the " Current/EDP Limit Throttle" was red the whole time. Could be XTU wasn't updated for the KS, or could be a bad chip. The rep thought it was bad but didn't say that was why. Getting the replacement today.

My 12900ks runs in a max extreme board now - I was sick to death of problems and issues with the hero board
The cpu is an sp 92 and runs no hotter than 85ded C ever tbh and I’m only using a z63 nzxt AIO
*I thought they were supposed to run hot but mine doesn’t really.
Silicon lottery I guess
My only issue now is getting the memory to run at an XMP profile - it just won’t won’t stable
I’m at the stage where I’ve now ordered a second set of different memory from Corsair to see it there is an improvement
If there isn’t I will never agian buy an Asus board tbh
I honestly think the whole 12th gen platform sucks really - it’s rushed and still in beta to my mind, especially the bios that are available *
I haven’t enjoyed 12th gone anything like as much as 9th, 9th just worked out of the gate - 12 th gen has been nothing but expense aggro and frustration for me really*