Coolers supplied with processors are treated with prejudice. Often they don’t even get a chance and are immediately replaced by something “better”. The new Intel Laminar RM1 cooler is improved in many ways and to give you the best image of it, we have compared it both with its predecessor and with the popular SilentiumPC Fera 5 cooler. Tests on a CPU with limited power draw or at full power? Both! Read more “Intel Laminar RM1 box cooler test. Why (not) throw it away?”
We have a shocking revelation! And now, seriously. Different Core i5-12400 processor steppings differ not only in S-Spec code, but also in behavior in practice. Some of the expectations were confirmed, some were not. More importantly, you can choose the more suitable of the two options. But the best part is that everyone can evaluate the “better” variant differently. The differences across these processors must be negligible? No way… Read more “The same and yet different. Intel Core i5-12400 duel (H0 vs. C0)”
We recently enjoyed the pleasing results of the Core i3-10105F here, and that processor already has a successor – the 12100F. It presents an option in the Alder Lake family for users on a budget. But that doesn’t mean it will limit you in performance. Plus, in target environments (especially simpler gaming PC builds), the latest Core i3 is nicely power-efficient without breaking your bank account. Read more “Intel Core i3-12100F: No. 1 for nimble PCs at a bargain”
Last month, we were pleasantly surprised by the news that Intel’s new desktop platform (Core 12th Generation/Alder Lake) CPUs can be overclocked via BCLK. Despite Intel seeking to only allow OC on the more expensive K-series enthusiast models. We took a look at which boards currently make it possible and if it’s worth it. Because whether BCLK OC helps or not depends on the cost of the overall setup more than anything else. Read more “Overclocking 65W Alder Lake processors: which boards can do it?”
We have already reported on new Alder Lake CPUs released or introduced by Intel at CES 2022 (65W and 35W desktop models, 45W models for laptops a 9–28W mobile versions). But the company has pre-announced another addition: Core i9-12900KS. Intel has already confirmed and displayed this (so far) mightiest Alder Lake CPU and even set a rough release schedule. And we also learned the secret that is behind its extreme clocks. Read more “Core i9-12900KS to come in Q1. 5.5 GHz enabled via Enhanced TVB”
The more efficient Alder Lake processors with TDP/PL1 35–65 W are out. We are, of course, ready, and for a perfect overview we have complete tests of the Core i5-12400, i.e. the successor of the most popular models of the past generations. You can compare this processor in all aspects not only with them, but also with the Ryzen 5 5600X . It looks like this processor will sell like hot cakes. Read more “Core i5-12400 with DDR4 test: Meet the fresh bestseller”
Last month, Intel has released Alder Lake CPUs, with the highest Core i9-12900K model scoring both single-thread and gaming performance lead. But there’s more coming. Intel is now said to be developing Core i9-12900KS, an even faster model, or rather a special edition. This CPU should perform even better, thus securing Intel’s lead against the possibility that AMD counterattacks i9-12900K successfully with its 3D V-Cache CPUs. Read more “Intel plans a special edition 5.2GHz all-core boost Alder Lake”
Shortly after the leak of a detailed photo of the box cooler for Core i7, Core i5 and Core i3 Alder Lake CPUs, the most powerful model is revealed in all its glory. This one is naturally more robust and the tall fins are no longer plastic, but made of aluminium. It uses fixed mounting via screws, which is good news as well. The cooler also includes a backplate, which is handy since this cooler is significantly taller and heavier than the current stock coolers. Read more “More metal, no push-pins; Intel’s upcoming Core i9 coolers”
Intel’s box coolers have been stagnant for a long time. Since the first models on the LGA 775 platform (which is already quite historic), not much has changed with their coolers. However, a significant shift away from the usual shape will come at the beginning of the year with the more economical Alder Lake processors. We wrote about this in September, but the latest visualizations reveal some striking details. Read more “The design of new coolers for 65-watt Intel CPUs is now clearer”
We got a peek at the prices of cheaper B660 motherboards for Intel Alder Lake recently. So far, motherboards for the new desktop platform have generally been expensive. Why is that? According to TechPowerUp’s intel, it’s a combination of many factors and several features of Alder Lake processors. Some are quite surprising, for example the LGA 1700 socket itself is apparently much more expensive than you’d expect it to be. Read more “Causes of high Alder Lake mobo prices? PCB, VRM, even the socket”
The choice of CPUs for low budget builds is getting weaker and less economical – the current prices of Pentiums are reminiscent of a bad joke. Core i3-1010x(F) are the only ones in sufficient numbers at the moment, and still for reasonable money. It’s just a shame that AMD has no competition here. But the comparison of Core i3 Comet Lake with Core i5-10400(F) is also attractive. You might find that it’s worth the savings. Read more “Intel Core i3-10105F is a rarity: Cheap processor for cheap mobos”
The new Z690 platform, with a LGA 1700 socket and Alder Lake CPU just launched by Intel is the first one to use DDR5 memory. Optionally the CPUs can still be used with DDR4 memory modules. You might feel like buying a DDR4 mainboard could be a mistake blocking the path to a later CPU upgrade. But we have good news for you – Alder Lake is not the last CPU with DDR4 support, such mainboards will also support upcoming CPUs. Read more “13th Generation Raptor Lake/Core CPUs to maintain DDR4 support”
The big.LITTLE concept in Intel Alder Lake processors encourages various “re-configurations” of the cores. Especially in the context of inferior scaling or priority settings that are not good for some applications. However, user interventions in this direction will more often lead to a disservice than to a benefit. Does it make sense to bypass E cores in games? It doesn’t. Such intervention drives processors into severe inefficiency. Read more “Test: Disabling small (E) and big (P) cores of the Core i9-12900K”
The 12th generation Intel Core processors – Alder Lake is now out and we already have the full-fledged tests for you. These processors are significantly different from the previous ones in many aspects and many things are used “for the first time”. Among them are DDR5 memory support, PCI Express 5.0, 7 nm manufacturing process or hybrid concept of small and large cores. It’s time for a detailed analysis! Read more “Intel Core i9-12900K megatest: AMD in 2nd place again”
Intel has unveiled the Alder Lake CPUs last week, and we covered the SKUs, features and specs here. There’s more further news, Intel has revealed a number of interesting details about the DDR5 memory support. There’s new generation of auto overclocking via XMP profiles coming, XMP 3.0, which has been significantly modified for DDR5 memory. And particularly the Dynamic memory Boost is a breakthrough feature for high-performance RAM. Read more “Alder Lake and DDR5: XMP 3.0, Dynamic Memory Boost and more”
Latest comments