Intel just unveiled its new 12th Generation Core series for desktop computers with six new models.
Intel’s latest 12th Gen CPUs are now available!
These are the first processors built on the Alder Lake architecture and manufactured using a 10nm technology. The Core i9-12900K, Core i7-12700K, and Core i5-12600K are the latest models introduced. While the three additional models are KF variations of the same CPUs, which indicates they do not have integrated GPUs.
With these new CPUs, Intel has introduced its new hybrid core architecture. The Alder Lake architecture utilizes a mix of Performance-cores (P-cores) and Efficient-cores (E-cores). When an application demands maximum performance, the P-cores do the majority of the work. While the E-cores will do low-level tasks like music playing in the background, and do it with lesser power consumption. This concept is just like processors on modern smartphones, tablets, and Apple’s M-series processors.
Moreover, only the performance cores are capable of multi-threading due to the way the CPU architecture gets placed. This indicates that the 16-core i9-12900K has 8 P-cores and 8 E-cores, totaling 24 threads. Similarly, the 10-core i5-12600K features six P-cores and four E-cores, for a total of sixteen threads.
They now specify base, boost, and maximum clock speed for both P-cores and E-Cores because of the split in core architecture. For example, the 12900K has a 3.2GHz base speed, 5.1GHz boost, and a maximum clock of 5.2GHz for the P-cores. However, the E-cores have a base speed of 2.4GHz and a maximum clock of 3.9GHz.
The new 12th Generation CPUs are the first to support DDR5 RAM. They have native support for DDR5 4800 MT/s and higher speeds unlocked via new XMP 3.0 profiles. These chips still support DDR4 RAM as well, you cannot put both DDR4 and DDR5 at the same time. With that, you must select a motherboard that supports either DDR5 or DDR4 memory.
Besides, they are also the first to support PCIe 5.0 with a total of 20 PCIe lanes from the CPU.
Speaking of the motherboard, these processors will use LGA1700 that is only compatible with a board that has a Z690 chipset. Expect over 60 motherboard units will come in the following days.
Furthermore, the new processors that have integrated GPU will come with Intel UHD Graphics 770. There is also a cache size increase, the i9 model will now have 30MB L3 cache, 25MB for the i7, and the i5 receives 20MB.
Price and availability
The Unlocked 12th Gen Intel Core processors are now for pre-order. The price starts from USD 264 (or PHP 13.3K) for i5-12600KF to USD 589 (or PHP 29.8K) for i9-12900K. Just do take note that the pricing here in the Philippines varies.
Source: Intel
