Intel’s 12th Gen Alder Lake Core Processors – “The World’s Best Gaming Processor”
On 27 October 2021, Intel revealed six new 12th Gen Core Alder Lake processors for the desktop.
The six latest models are the first entry in the company’s new line of processors. Intel manufactured them based on its Alder Lake architecture using a 10nm process technology.
The company claims one of the new chips, the Core i9-12900K model, to be the “world’s best gaming processor.” Let’s have a brief rundown on what they’re all about!
What You Need to Know About Intel 12th Gen Core Processors
The Core i5-12600K, Core i7-12700K, and Core i9-12900K are three of the six Intel 12th Gen CPUs announced. The remaining three are the KF variants of the three models that don’t have integrated GPUs.
Furthermore, Intel claims that the performance of the new 12th Gen models makes them the world’s best gaming processors, beating the Ryzen 9 5950X in 31 titles. It also claims better productivity performance than the previous generations of Intel models.
Additionally, the most notable aspect of the new generation of CPUs is transitioning to a new hybrid architecture. The Alder Lake processors boast Intel’s hybrid core design that combines Performance-cores, or “P-cores”, with Efficient-cores, or “E-cores.”
However, only the P-cores in these new processors can multi-threading based on the CPU layout design. At its core, the Alder Lake chips function similarly to most modern smartphone and tablet processors.
For example, when an application demands high performance, the P-cores will do most of the work. However, if you require any other low-level tasks, the E-cores can handle it using far less power than the P-cores.
Here is a table with more information on the six new models:
| Chips | Cores (P+E,T) | P-Core Base | P-Core Turbo | E-Core Base | E-Core Turbo | Integrated Graphics |
| i5-12600K | 6+4/16 | 3.7GHz | 4.9GHz | 2.8GHz | 3.6GHz | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| i5-12600KF | 6+4/16 | 3.7GHz | 4.9GHz | 2.8GHz | 3.6GHz | None |
| i7-12700K | 8+4/20 | 3.6GHz | 4.9GHz | 2.7GHz | 3.8GHz | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| i7-12700KF | 8+4/20 | 3.6GHz | 4.9GHz | 2.7GHz | 3.8GHz | None |
| i9-12900K | 8+8/24 | 3.2GHz | 5.1GHz | 2.4GHz | 3.9GHz | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| i9-12900KF | 8+8/24 | 3.2GHz | 5.1GHz | 2.4GHz | 3.9GHz | None |
Final Thoughts
If you’re interested in purchasing these new Intel 12th Gen processors, keep in mind that you’ll need a new motherboard.
You can get Intel’s new Z690 chipset that comes with a slew of features, including WiFi 6E support and faster USB 3.2 Gen 2 data transfer.
The price for Intel 12th Gen Core processors starts at US$264 (~RM1115) for the Core i5-12600KF and goes up to US$589 (~RM2442) for the Core i9-12900K. You can also expect a mobile version of these processors in early 2022.
Stay tuned with PriceShop for more tech news and updates.
