Intel’s first 7-nanometer (nm) process-based desktop processor, the 12th generation Intel Core processor (codename: Elder Lake), will appear in the global market on November 4th. The 12th generation core processor is a product that raises the manufacturing process that had been stagnant at 14nm from the 5th generation released in 2014 to the 11th generation released earlier this year. done.
The 12th generation Intel Core processor is not only a new process, but also a lot of next-generation technology. The RAM (RAM), which affects the real-time work performance of the desktop, supports DDR5, a standard that has evolved from DDR4, and the transmission standard for expansion cards such as graphics cards also supports PCI Express 5.0 for the first time. In addition, the ‘hybrid architecture’ function, which optimizes computational power and power efficiency according to the system load by combining high-efficiency and low-power cores, is also installed for the first time as a desktop processor. The 12th generation Intel Core processor, which returned to gamers with amazing performance improvements and new technologies, was tested with the Intel Core i9-12900K, the highest model among them.
Configuration of up to 16 cores and 24 threads… Aiming for both high performance and high efficiency
The 12th generation Intel Core processor, unveiled on October 27 (local time), has three types of ‘K’ series, a version that lifts the overclock limit that increases the operating speed of the central processing unit (CPU), and graphics processing to release the overclock limit. There are a total of six types, including the ‘KF’ series without devices. Configurations include i5-12600K and KF with 10 cores and 16 threads, i7-12700K and KF with 12 cores and 20 threads, and i9-12900K and KF with 16 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core i9-12900K is composed of performance-cores and eight efficient-cores. The previous generation operated with 2 threads per core, but the CPU with the ‘hybrid architecture’ operates with 2 threads per performance core and 1 thread per efficiency core, so 16 cores process a total of 24 threads. A characteristic of the hybrid architecture is that it aims for high performance and high efficiency at the same time. For tasks such as games and rendering, all cores including the performance core with a base speed of 3.2 GHz (GHz) and a maximum speed of 5.2 GHz operate. ‘s efficiency core works to catch power consumption and heat at the same time.
CPU-Z (left, center) and GPU-Z (right) information to check computer information. Source = IT DongaI checked the information of the Intel Core i9-12900K by running CPU-Z, a program that checks the processor information. The Intel i9-12900K utilizes the new LGA 1700 socket and is set to a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of up to 125W. As for the cache for temporarily storing data, the L2 cache is 14 MB (MB) and the L3 cache is 30 MB. It also supports DDR5 memory for the first time, and the capacity can be expanded up to 128 gigabytes (GB). The processor built-in graphics is equipped with Intel UHD Graphics 770, and up to 5120×3200 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate display can be connected.
To utilize the 12th generation Intel Core processor, you must have a motherboard equipped with the Intel Z690 chipset. Source = IT DongaAs the CPU design changes, the motherboard must also be purchased new. To take advantage of the 12th Gen Intel Core processor, you need to get an Intel Z690 chipset motherboard that supports full overclocking. Low-end chipsets such as H670, B660, and H610 have not been released yet. The CPU socket is also a bit longer with the LGA 1700, making it impossible to use the existing CPU cooler as it is. If you want to use your existing CPU cooler as it is, you must request a bracket for LGA 1700 through the manufacturer, and if you cannot obtain a bracket from the manufacturer, you cannot use the cooler.
In the test, an Intel i9-12900K was combined with the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Pro, and a dual-row 240mm water cooling cooler supporting up to 250W TDP was connected. The memory is SK Hynix DDR5 4800MHz product. The graphics card is a Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3090 Extreme 24GB. The operating system utilized Windows 11 to utilize the ‘thread director’ function that efficiently distributes the operations of the performance core and efficiency core.
3DMark’s CPU profile score. Source = IT DongaThe first performance test conducted was 3DMark’s ‘CPU Profile’, which was released in June. The test divides the cores and threads included in the CPU into 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and whole, and then processes the data and scores it. That is, the score calculated in the corresponding test can be relatively compared with the CPU profile score of other processors. The scores obtained by the Intel Core i9-12900K in the test were 1105 points in single criteria, 2188 points in 2 threads, 4228 points in 4 threads, 7978 points in 8 threads, 1541 points in 16 threads, and 11,79 points in total. Compared to the previous 11th generation Intel Core i9-11900K’s score of 1090 points in a single standard and 8500 points in total, there is a performance difference of 29% by simple calculation.
Comparison of Cinebench R23 (left) and Blender (right) results. Source = IT DongaNext, ‘Cinebench R23’, which tests processor performance, and ‘Blender’ benchmark, which checks the performance of the processor through the speed of processing a specific 3D rendering, were run. The score achieved by the Intel i9-12900K in the Cinebench R23 version is 1811 points for single core and 26,981 points for multi-core. The test score of the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X with 16 cores and 32 threads, which has the highest performance among current AMD gaming CPUs, was 1608 points based on single core and 24,587 points based on multiple cores, which is about 10% higher than these.
Instead, the Blender score related to video and 3D work did not show a significant difference at 1 minute 30 seconds and 4 minutes 11 seconds, similar to the test results of the Ryzen 9 5950X, 1 minute 38 seconds and 4 minutes 9 seconds. In the current situation, the work efficiency of the two processors can be considered similar, but at the time of testing, the Windows 11 compatibility of the 12th generation Intel processor or the Windows 11 compatibility of Blender itself may not be perfect, so the results of the Intel processor will be better over time. It is very likely to come out
PC Mark 10 test result showing actual use performance numerically. Source = IT DongaThe reason why it is thought that the image and 3D processing speed of the 12th generation Intel Core processor can be shortened is the result of ‘PCMark 10’ of Futuremark, another performance test. The test is for the purpose of confirming the performance of standard systems and components, and the performance of each PC can be compared relative to each other. In that test, the video editing performance achieved by the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X was 6219 and the spreadsheet score was 11,313. The video score of the Intel Core i9-12900K measured this time is 7303 points and the spreadsheet score is 13178 points, which is slightly higher. Therefore, the computational processing performance of the Intel Core i9-12900K can be seen as the highest among the currently released gaming CPUs.
Gaming performance exceeds expectations… Win 11 compatibility is important
3DMark Time Spy (left) and Fire Strike (right) results. Source = IT DongaThe high processing power of the processor means high gaming performance. I checked the scores by running 3D Mark’s ‘Time Spy’ and ‘Fire Strike’ programs that represent gaming performance numerically. In this test, the CPU score of the Intel Core i9-12900K was 17,449 for Time Spy and 41,156 for Fire Strike. Considering that the previous Intel i9-11900K had a Fire Strike score of 28,373 points, and the competitor AMD Ryzen 9 5950X had about 37,000 points in the same test, it shows a higher level of performance in all games.
According to Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 benchmark, it ran at about 200 frames per second. Source = IT Donga
Total War Saga: Trojan Benchmark results, it ran at about 271 frames. Source = IT DongaThe result of actually running the game was also different. In the results of running Ubisoft’s ‘Tom Clancy’s The Division 2’, it scored over 200 frames with ‘high’ performance based on FHD (1920×1080) resolution, and ‘Total War Saga: Troy ( Total War Saga: Troy) also showed a high frame rate of 271 frames with FHD, ‘high’ performance in Direct 11. Even considering that the graphics card we tested is the highest performing Nvidia RTX 3090 available, these scores are impressive and you’ll get the best framerates in any game.
The two-row water-cooled cooler is not enough, the cooling system needs to be overhauled
I loaded the Intel Core i9-12900K using the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (Intel XTU). During the first operation, it suddenly heated up quickly, causing a throttling phenomenon that limited performance. After that, the cooler rotated quickly and the throttling disappeared, but the temperature was maintained between 85 and 90 degrees, which is relatively high. Source = IT Donga
The most difficult part during the test was the cooling system. The previously used two-row 240mm cooler has a maximum thermal design power of 250W, which is not high, but it can be used safely. It cannot be used for overclocking of high-end processors, but it is widely used because it has sufficient performance for any mid-range processor.
However, while testing with the Intel Core i9-12900K, the performance of the 240mm dual-row water cooling cooler was insufficient, so there were some parts that could not bring out the best performance. There was no problem in the test itself as the performance was limited only at the time of explosively increasing the performance, but there is a limit to using it in the long term. Therefore, in order to fully utilize the performance of the Intel Core i9-12900K, you must use at least a 280mm high-performance cooler or a 360mm 3-row water cooling cooler. If you are planning to purchase a new cooler for the Intel Core i9-12900K, we recommend a 360mm 3-row liquid cooler. Intel Core i7-12700K and 12600K also combine 280mm liquid cooler.
Performance that meets expectations, the key is supply and demand
The 12th Gen Core processor is Intel’s first 10nm-based desktop processor. Source = IT DongaThe results of testing the 12th Gen Intel Core processor exceeded expectations. Since the competitor, AMD, is based on a 7nm process, which is finer than 10nm, I guessed that the new processor would be at a similar level, but it was because it showed a performance that exceeded that. This seems to be enough to dispel the opinion that the performance that has been followed like a tag is lacking.
The key is price and supply and demand. The price of the 12th generation Intel Core processor ranges from a minimum of $264 to a maximum of $589, and is between 310,000 and 690,000 Korean Won. Considering the price-performance ratio, it came out at a very reasonable price. However, there is room for the price to rise even if there is demand due to the recent supply to the desktop market itself. To this end, Intel plans to ship about 2 million units by March 2022 so that there are no disruptions in supply.
Other disadvantages are external factors rather than the processor. The 12th generation Intel Core processor has changed the socket compatibility it has maintained so far, so the existing cooler cannot be used, and a new motherboard has to be purchased due to chipset and socket changes. Besides, only high-performance chipsets have come out yet, so it cannot be configured as an entry-level desktop. In addition, Windows 11 must be installed, but Windows 11 compatibility is not yet complete, so there may be problems running games or programs. Windows 11 compatibility is a problem that will be resolved gradually, so it is difficult to see it as a disadvantage.
Intel regains direction, looking forward to the future
12th generation Intel Core processor changed to LGA 1700 socket. Source = IT DongaThis 12th generation Core processor contains Intel’s resolve. Intel has been receiving strong demands for process improvement over the past seven years, but it did not release 10nm processors until 2019 after increasing the number of cores and improving efficiency in the 14nm process. AMD, a competitor, has made remarkable achievements in the desktop market, and Apple has also faced external challenges, such as producing its own processors after breaking up with Intel. However, this 12th generation core processor is expected to further strengthen Intel’s unique market trust with sufficient price-performance ratio and best performance. We hope that the 12th Gen Intel Core processors will revitalize the gaming desktop market, which has been stagnated by high graphics card prices.
Donga.com IT specialist Nam Si-hyeon (shnam@donga.com)
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