12TH Gen Intel Processors. An Overview. Leave a comment
Introduction to 12th Gen Intel Processors:
The world of silicon is constantly evolving, and Intel, the world-renowned microprocessor titan, unleashed its 12th Gen processors in October 2021. Stepping onto the technology stage with a host of impressive improvements, the 12th Gen series chips are available for both laptops and desktops. 12th gen processors are available under 4 main families that include:
- Core i3
- Core i5
- Core i7
- Core i9
A Closer Look at The Alder Lake Architecture:
Architecturally speaking, 12th Gen chips are built on Intel’s 7nm process, replacing the previous 10nm SuperFin process technology. The 64-bit CPU is made up of Performance cores and Efficiency cores known as Intel performance hybrid architecture, aiming to deliver a balance of power and efficiency during computing workloads.
The Performance cores are designed for heavy-duty tasks and demanding applications, while the efficiency cores are designed to handle lighter computer workloads and enhanced power efficiency. To ensure the P and E cores work seamlessly, Intel developed a thread director. The thread director dynamically assigns foreground programs to the Performance cores, while the efficiency cores cover the background programs.
The Alder Lake CPU’s are available in 3 different variants:
- Alder Lake M – For light notebooks, tablets and computer sticks (2P + 8E)
- Alder Lake P – For more powerful mobile workstations (6P + 8E)
- Alder Lake S – For desktop computers (8P + 8E (performance desktop variants) or 6P + 0E (budget desktops))
Performance Metrics:
- The notable leap from the previous generation:
Performance is the lifeblood of a processor, and Intel’s 12th Gen pulses with more power when compared to the previous 11th Gen Tiger Lake CPU’s. Alder lake CPU’s boast of robust multi-threading capabilities that excel at handling multiple tasks simultaneously than its predecessor. The table below highlights some notable differences between the two.
| Aspect | 12th Generation CPU | 11th Generation CPU |
| Architecture | Alder Lake | Rocket Lake |
| Manufacturing Process | 7 nanometer process | 10 nanometer process |
| Core Configuration | Hybrid architecture (Performance + Efficiency) | Traditional architecture |
| Core Count | Up to 16 cores | Up to 8 cores |
| Thread Count | Higher thread count (up to 48 threads) | Lower thread count (up to 16 threads) |
| Thunderbolt support | Integrated Thunderbolt 4 support | Thunderbolt 4 support through separate controller chip |
| Performance Improvement | Better performance per watt | Lower performance per watt |
| Graphics | Integrated Intel Xe Graphics | Integrated Intel Xe Graphics |
| PCIe Support | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Memory Support | DDR5, LPDDR5 | DDR4, LPDDR4x |
| Power Efficiency | Improved power efficiency | Good power efficiency |
| AI capabilities | Improved AI performance with Intel DL Boost | AI capabilities with Intel DL Boost |
Graphic Performance: Intel Integrated Iris Xe Architecture:
Ever since Intel replaced its previous GPU, the “Intel UHD Graphics” with the Intel Iris Xe, users have noted a major difference in terms of performance. The Iris Xe found on the 12th Gen CPUs generally offer improved graphical performance when compared to those found on 11th Gen CPUs. The key differences include:
- More Execution Units (EU’s): The 12th Gen CPUs have up to 96 EUs, while the 11th Gen CPUs have up to 96 EU’s as well, but only on the most powerful models (specific variants). Some 11th Gen CPUs have as few as 80 EU’s.
- Higher clock speeds: The Intel Iris Xe graphics on the 12th Gen CPUs largely have higher clock speeds than the version on the 11th Gen CPUs. This can result in faster rendering and improved gaming performance.
- Improved AI acceleration: The Intel Iris Xe graphics on the 12th Gen CPUs offer improved AI acceleration capabilities, which can help with tasks such as video encoding and decoding.
Power Efficiency:
Although the 12th Gen CPUs are powerful, this does not mean that they are power hungry. Well, almost all of them. In the modern era of PC’s, power efficiency is something very crucial, especially for laptop users. 12th Gen CPU’s consume less power than 11th Gen processors. This difference can be mainly attributed to limitations of the older manufacturing process and design.
- Benefits to the End User
What does this mean for the end-user? Longer battery life for laptops, less heat, and ultimately, a quieter, more efficient computing experience.
The Intel 12th Gen and Gaming
Video games are the digital proving grounds for many processors, and Intel’s 12th Gen is no exception. These chips deliver extraordinary gaming performance at higher frame rates. These chips offer improved IPC (instructions per clock) over their predecessors, which translates to better single-threaded performance.
For example, Alder Lake-S desktop CPUs support for PCIe 5.0 provide increased bandwidth for graphics cards and other high-performance devices. This can lead to improved gaming performance, particularly in scenarios where the CPU is heavily involved in data transfer.
- Compatibility with Next Gen Games:
Intel’s 12th gen CPUs are compatible with the latest operating systems and game engines, including DirectX 12 Ultimate, which is used in many next-gen games today. The higher core count of higher spec 12th Gen CPU’s can benefit modern games. For instance, the 12th Gen i9 12900K (K-series) is one of the best CPU’s for gaming. With up to 16 cores, the processor can handle heavy games like Grand Theft Auto 5 with ease.
Specific 12th Gen processors are also cable of overclocking which can benefit gaming, although recently some users were able to overclock non-K based 12th Gen chips using specific motherboards. The K-series of the alder lake chips can be overclocked up to an impressive 5.5 GHz. Overclocking is a risky affair and should be done with caution.
Support for DRR5 Memory and PCIe 5.0:
- DDR5 support
DDR5 is the latest generation of memory technology, and it offers several benefits over the previous DDR4 standard. One of the key benefits of DDR5 is its increased memory bandwidth, which can help improve performance in applications that are memory-intensive, such as gaming, content creation, and data processing.
One advantage of 12th Gen CPU’s is that it supports both DDR5-4800 and DDR4-3200 memory modules, so it’s possible to use either type of memory with alder lake CPUs. However, to take advantage of DDR5’s higher bandwidth ’s, a motherboard that supports DDR5 is needed.
Another advantage of using DDR5 memory with 12th Gen processors is the high number of memory it can allow, up to 512GB on high end systems.
- PCIe 5.0 support:
PCI (express) is a high-speed computer standard used for connecting peripheral devices to a computer’s motherboard, like a dedicated GPU. PCIe 5.0 represents the 5th generation of this standard, which is compatible with 12th Gen Intel chips. PCIe 5.0 offers a significant double increase in data transfer rate over its predecessor, the PCIe 4.0.
The increased bandwidth provided by PCIe 5.0 is especially beneficial for high-demand applications and components. These could include the latest graphics cards from companies like NVIDIA, high-speed storage devices (i.e NVMe SSDs), and network interfaces. In professional fields that demand high data throughput, such as machine learning, data analytics, and high-performance computing, PCIe 5.0 could be particularly beneficial.
Conclusion: A New Dawn in Technology:
The unveiling of the 12th Gen Intel processors has indeed ushered in a new era in technology. This transformative generation of chips is not just shaping the tech landscape, but also setting a fresh course for its future. It is innovating computing architecture, redefining gaming capabilities, promoting energy efficiency, and accelerating professional creativity.
Check out our other related post on the latest Intel processors available in Kenya
