Intel’s latest flagship processor, the Core i9 12900K, is a game-changer. Based on the Alder Lake architecture, this new chip boasts impressive speed and performance. Unlike AMD’s products, the Alder Lake architecture features a monolithic chip with no separated components, resulting in a significant improvement in IPC. With its fast performance, DDR5 memory, and PCIe Gen 5.0 interface, this processor is poised for the future. Today, we will delve into all the details in this review.
Intel’s previous releases were primarily centered around single-core and gaming performance. However, Alder Lake marks a shift towards multi-core capabilities, with a lineup of sixteen-core processors manufactured using Intel’s 10-nanometer process. In addition, Intel introduces its own take on the BIG.little concept. More details on this will be discussed in the following sections. This article will delve into the powerful Core i9 12900K.
- Cores 16 (8+8)
- Threads 24 (16+8)
Intel is set to unveil several product SKUs today, with our focus on the 12900K and the 12600K. The Core i9 12900K boasts a 16 (8+8) core design, featuring 8 performance cores (threaded to 16) and 8 energy-efficient cores, based on Golden Cove + Gracemont (hybrid-Design). All of this is manufactured on Intel’s 7 (10nm Enhanced SuperFin) node. Running at a base clock of 3.20GHz, a Turbo Clock of 5.30GHz (1 core), and 5.00GHz (all cores), this processor is expected to deliver impressive performance with the new IPC enhancements and faster ecosystem. It’s not just about the processor itself, but also the entire ecosystem and infrastructure. The new Z690 chipset (motherboards) offers connectivity through DMI 4.0, 16GT/s (PCIe 4.0 x8), and supports both DDR5 and DDR4 memory configurations. DDR5 and PCIe Express 5.0 mark a first for Intel products (16x PCIe 5.0, 4x PCIe 4.0). While the transition to PCIe 5.0 may take time, DDR5 memory is already making an impact on day-to-day computing speed for the majority of users. The combination of increased memory bandwidth, faster infrastructure, and the new processors is expected to significantly enhance performance for end-users in creative and gaming fields. Rest assured, performance is set to impress. Intel will introduce a range of desktop processors today.
The KF model has its integrated graphics disabled. The presence of big and little cores is a feature that users should become accustomed to. Intel has stated that the main reason behind this decision was to optimize both performance per watt and overall performance. It is important to note that fitting four E cores into the same silicon footprint as a single P core results in a 60 percent increase in multi-threaded throughput. The P cores in the Golden Cove architecture, with their bursty, high-frequency design, are well-suited for single- or low-thread applications. On the other hand, E cores work in tandem to boost peak performance in programs that can fully utilize a large number of threads. All chips released today come with 16 PCIe 5.0 lanes, which can be utilized for graphics or storage, even though there are currently no devices that support this specification. Additionally, motherboards will support either DDR4 or DDR5 memory, with native speeds of 3,200MHz or 4,800MHz, respectively, depending on the specific model. Once overclocking is initiated, both memory speeds are expected to increase significantly. The Z690 platform offers an additional 28 extension lanes, with 12 of them supporting PCIe 4.0. Given that this is a new platform, it may feel somewhat limited. Many Z690 boards are expected to feature at least three high-speed (PCIe 4.0) NVMe storage slots, similar to what is available on AMD’s X570 board. Apart from the CPU, there is limited information available on the integrated graphics based on Xe technology. While it can accommodate up to 32 Execution Units on the desktop, performance is anticipated to be on par with Rocket Lake’s integrated graphics processor.
We have much to discuss and clarify. Let’s proceed to the article, where we will delve into more details about the architecture of Alder Lake, the first processors launched, and a comprehensive review of the processor. The focus of this article is on the Core i9 12900K, the top-of-the-line processor.