After a long wait, Intel finally ushered in Intel’s 12th-generation Core series desktop processor Alder Lake, which is the first mixed-architecture processor for desktop platforms.
In fact, in the past few months, Intel has revealed a lot of information, especially in the 2021 Intel Architecture Day, which made a detailed introduction. The first batch of processors launched includes six products: Core i9-12900K, Core i7-12700K, Core i5-12600K, Core i9-12900KF, Core i7-12700KF, and Core i5-12600KF. The highest configuration is that the Core i9-12900K/KF will have 8 performance cores based on the Golden Cove architecture (Performance Core) and 8 energy efficiency cores based on the Gracemont architecture (Efficient Core), with 16 cores and 24 threads specifications and the highest 5.2 GHz turbo frequency, up to 30MB L3 cache and 14MB L2 cache release higher multi-threading performance for game enthusiasts and professional creators.
Alder Lake is the first new high-performance hybrid architecture using Intel 7 process technology (10nm Enhanced SuperFin), and it also supports PCIe Gen5 and DDR5 memory for the first time (up to 4800 MT/s and supports XMP 3.0). The entire 12th-generation Core family includes 60 processors, covering scalable performance from 9 watts to 125 watts. In addition, it also integrates Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E high-speed wireless technology, and an independent Thunderbolt 4 universal cable connection function.
With the new 600 series chipset, DMI Gen 4.0 increases the throughput from the chipset to the CPU. Intel Volume Management Device (VMD) is also introduced into the PC chipset for the first time. It directly controls and manages NVMe-based SSDs through the PCIe bus without the need for additional RAID controllers or other hardware adapters, thus simplifying storage control. Performance enthusiasts and gamers can experience the overclocking function of the new platform through the latest Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU) 7.5. XTU will also support the use of Intel Speed Optimizer for one-click overclocking of the unlocked 12th-generation Core series processors.
The unlocked version of the 12th-generation Intel Core series desktop processors is now open for pre-orders, and supply channels include relevant OEMs, partners, and retailers. It will be fully available from November 4, 2021, with a starting price ranging from $264 to $589. At the beginning of 2022, Intel will provide 28 products of the 12th generation Intel Core series to OEM partners, further expanding the desktop, mobile and commercial market segments.
