Intel AVX-512 tested in x265: how to enable it and does it help?

The 11th generation Intel Core processors (Rocket Lake) are the first mainstream desktop parts supporting AVX-512 instruction set, previously only available in Xeons or the X299 platform. One area where AVX-512 promises better performance is multimedia. We looked at one use: encoding HEVC video via x265. It’s little known, but x265 does not actually use AVX-512 by default. We’ll show you how to turn it on and what are the effects. Read more “Intel AVX-512 tested in x265: how to enable it and does it help?” »

Intel Core i7-11700KF: A hair slower, but better value than Core i9

8 cores, 16 threads. From this point of view, it is the same configuration as the Core i9-11900K(F). However, the Core i9 is a significantly more expensive processor and, especially in games, it has a much higher power consumption. At the same time, the difference in performance is minimal. It follows that with higher efficiency, the Core i7-11700K(F) has a more attractive price-performance ratio. Read more “Intel Core i7-11700KF: A hair slower, but better value than Core i9” »

MS Flight Simulator July update test: More than twice the FPS

The announced update to increase performance in MFS is out, and we have a “before” and “after” comparison for you. Developers has worked to ensure that the processor does not significantly bottleneck the GPU. So far, the performance of the graphics card did not matter much, because only a fraction of its potential was used. But newly, you will achieve better performance on low-end hardware than you did before on a top-end rig. Read more “MS Flight Simulator July update test: More than twice the FPS” »

The new (11400F) vs. older (10400F) Intel Core i5 processor

Intel has practically no direct competition in the segment of cheaper processors. The lowest Core i5 CPUs are significantly cheaper than the Ryzen 5 5600X, which is AMD’s entry level in this class. Therefore, this brotherly duel of the new (11400F) with the older (10400F) Core i5 is more attractive than comparing the processors between the two companies. That was also a wish of one of our readers, and now it is finally coming true. Read more “The new (11400F) vs. older (10400F) Intel Core i5 processor” »

Specs of Intel Alder Lake 125W ‘K’ processors leak: clock rate, PL2

Last week we’ve had reports of the big.LITTLE Intel Alder Lake processors reaching surprising performance: with just 8 “big” cores out of the total 16, they are said to surpass the 32-threaded Zen 3 in Cinebench R20. Now we the specs of all three 125W unlocked models, with clocks and power draw in boost, aka PL2. Looks like 10nm process will finally lower the power consumption compared to the 14nm CPUs—but not by much. Read more “Specs of Intel Alder Lake 125W ‘K’ processors leak: clock rate, PL2” »

Test of AMD Ryzen 9 5950X processor: 32 threads on AM4

The Ryzen 9 5950X is the highest performance processor designed for the “small” AMD AM4 socket. At the same time, it is a rarity that has essentially no competition (Intel has nothing against it) and is roughly halfway to high-end Threadrippers. Compared to those, however, it has a higher gaming performance and a cheap motherboard will also suffice. This processor is even sometimes more power-efficient than the slower 5900X. Read more “Test of AMD Ryzen 9 5950X processor: 32 threads on AM4” »

Single-thread boost analysis of Vermeer, Rocket and Comet Lake

In a recent test of processors, we focused on everything, even single-threaded boost. We will now take a closer look at it, because its behavior is remarkable. Modern processors also use two cores in turns for single-threaded tasks. This creates a short pause for the unloaded core to cool down. We captured how it works in bar graphs with waveforms, and you will also find out whether the specifications are closer met by AMD or Intel. Read more “Single-thread boost analysis of Vermeer, Rocket and Comet Lake” »

Intel Core i9-11900K vs. AMD Ryzen 9 5900X. Who’s the winner?

Have you already created a perfect picture of the current generation of desktop processors or are you still willing to reconsider some things? For the start of HWC processor tests, we’ve picked the hottest hardware from Intel’s mainstream offer – the Core i9-11900K, which is going to compete against the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X in 40 chapters full of information. The older Core i9-10900K has also successfully been re-tested by the new methodology. Read more “Intel Core i9-11900K vs. AMD Ryzen 9 5900X. Who’s the winner?” »

„Windows 11 requires TPM“. Don’t panic, just do this in BIOS

Microsoft has unveiled Windows 11. In addition to new features and improvements, it also has higher HW requirements than Windows 10. It’s not performance that’s needed, but rather special features that not every PC may have. W11 requires TPM 2.0 (or Trusted Platform Module), which many people are now looking for. But there’s no need to get nervous, because in fact you probably already have it, just need to enable it. How to do it? Read more “„Windows 11 requires TPM“. Don’t panic, just do this in BIOS” »

AMD redies 3D chiplets: demo of Zen 3 with 192MB 3D V-Cache

After Intel, AMD has now presented its new products. These include the Ryzen 5000G APU, Radeon RX 6000M graphics for laptops and FSR upscaling intended as a competition for DLSS from Nvidia. But the processor news was the most interesting thing: 3D silicon chiplets layered on top of each other may come into Ryzen processors, and AMD has shown a prototype, which has 3× larger L3 cache, bringing nice gaming performance boosts. Read more “AMD redies 3D chiplets: demo of Zen 3 with 192MB 3D V-Cache” »

More on AMD AM5: TDP to reach 120 W, more PCIe lanes, CPU’s look

We have recently covered the first info detailing the new AMD desktop platform for Ryzen 6000 processors (or 7000, we’ll see) that will introduce DDR5 memory. The source of this report has now provided more on the connectivity specs, as well as a picture showing what the processors for the AM5 socket might look like. But it also looks like the TDP will increase, perhaps due to the TDP increasing strategy of Intel’s. Read more “More on AMD AM5: TDP to reach 120 W, more PCIe lanes, CPU’s look” »

Ryzen 5000 XT sample leak: stepping B2 to bring 5 GHz clock

Refresh of Ryzen 5000 desktop processors with Zen 3 architecture seems to be approaching. Vermeer chips, on which the current Ryzen 5000X models are based, have now appeared with a brand new B2 stepping. AMD might use refreshed CPU models as a response to Intel releasing the Rocket Lake 11th generation Core desktop processors. Chips with the B2 stepping seem to achieve higher clock speed, so they could finally reach 5 GHz officially. Read more “Ryzen 5000 XT sample leak: stepping B2 to bring 5 GHz clock” »

Intel Alder Lake ES leaked: 4.6 GHz clock, high power draw

Interesting info has shown up about the upcoming Intel Alder Lake CPUs, the first big.LITTLE desktop CPUs. Igor’sLAB has covered a sample called Core-1800 with 16 cores and 24 threads. The ES already shows promising clock speed and boost values for different active core counts. Also notable is the power draw. Intel doesn’t seem to be about to return to more power-efficient CPUs despite the 10nm process, PL2 is still over 200 W. Read more “Intel Alder Lake ES leaked: 4.6 GHz clock, high power draw” »

AMD Strix Point: 3nm Ryzen 8000 with Zen 5 cores to be big.LITTLE

We’ve known for a long time that Intel’s next processors will be hybrid in both laptops and even desktops, combining little and big cores in the manner of big.LITTLE ARM processors in mobile phones. Some doubt remains about the viability of this approach with Windows platform or PC in general. But now there are reports that it’s not going to be just Intel. AMD could also go for similar hybrid architecture. Read more “AMD Strix Point: 3nm Ryzen 8000 with Zen 5 cores to be big.LITTLE” »

Intel’s preparing a 38-core Ice Lake for workstations/desktop

Intel has finally released desktop processors with a new architecture (Rocket Lake), which is also used in 10nm laptop and server CPUs. But high-end desktop has been forgotten and is still server by the old Skylake. But a roadmap leak now shows that Intel is planning something new: 10nm Xeon W-3300 with 38 Ice Lake cores for workstations. They should even be released pretty soon, which is what the roadmap also says about desktop Alder Lake. Read more “Intel’s preparing a 38-core Ice Lake for workstations/desktop” »