Intel Announces New 12th Gen Core Desktop Processors

Today, Intel launches the highly anticipated new 12th Gen Desktop Core processors. We’ve been enjoying multi-core CPU’s for the better part of 20 years now, but this could be more of a paradigm shift in desktop computer rather than a generational update. What makes this launch so different? You could say it’s the jump to DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 all at once which is true, but that’s not quite the magic sauce under the hood that changes everything. Rather than cramming more of the same generational cores under the heat spreader, Intel’s 12th Gen utilizes a Hybrid architecture that combines Powerful performance ‘P-cores’  and Efficient ‘E-cores’ for balanced Lightly-threaded and Highly-threaded workloads.

 What does Intel have to say about it?

The 12th Gen Intel® Core™ desktop processor redefines x86 architecture performance. Introducing our new performance hybrid architecture, combining Performance-cores with Efficient-cores to elevate gaming, productivity, and creation. These breakthrough processors intelligently optimize workloads and pave the way for future leaps in processor design. Enjoy the full range of the latest platform innovations like industry first PCIe 5.0 readiness and DDR5 memory. With Intel® UHD graphics immerse yourself in a visually stunning experience with up to 8K HDR support and the ability to view 4 simultaneous 4K displays. 12th Gen Intel® Core™ desktop processors bring all the features you need to game, work, and create like never before

Breakthrough Core Technology

In a game-changing advance for core performance, 12th Gen Intel® Core™ desktop processors power a revolutionary approach to the x86 architecture. Its Performance-cores—or “P-cores”—are optimized for single & lightly-threaded performance, while its Efficient-cores— or “E-cores”—are optimized for scaling highly-threaded workloads. Intel® Thread Director helps to monitor and analyze performance data in real-time to seamlessly place the right application thread on the right core and optimize performance per watt.1 That means gamers,
creators, and professionals can harness both intelligence and power to enhance the experiences that matter most.

Immersive Experiences

Whether you’re delving into the latest gaming titles or focusing on advanced professional applications, 12th Gen Intel® Core™ Desktop processors enable you to immerse without interruptions. Intel® UHD Graphics driven by Xe Architecture invite you to take a deepdive into vivid new experiences with enhanced visual support for up to 8K HDR video in billions of colors and up to 4 simultaneous 4K displays. 12th Gen Intel® Core™ desktop processors are capable of canceling out interruptions with enhanced Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0 (GNA) for more efficient noise suppression and background blurring on video. For elite gaming, world-class productivity,
free flowing creation, and more, 12th Gen Intel® Core™ desktop processors enable deep immersion and focus.

Accelerating Platform Innovation

Tap into the latest platform technologies that drive incredible gaming, workflow, and creation. Our 12th Gen Intel® Core™ desktop processors offer up to 20 lanes (16 PCIe 5.0 and 4 PCIe 4.0) to drive optimal discrete graphics and storage performance by enabling higher bandwidth connection points. DDR5 brings fast speeds up
to 4800 MT/s, this allows for increased memory bandwidth speeds compared to previous generations that use DDR4 3200 MT/s memory. Fine tune both compute power and performance with unlocked 12th Gen Intel® Core™ desktop processors that have overclocking capabilities and Advanced Tuning support via Intel® Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU).3 With these and other platform enhancements you’ll be able to work, game, and create with impressive control and confidence.

New LGA1700 socket supports advanced features like Dual-Channel DDR5 memory and PCI Express 5.0 connections.

As you can see, the increased pin count requires not only a more dense land-grid array, but also quite a few more pins than previous generations LGA115x/LGA1200 processors.

 

12TH GEN INTEL® CORE™ DESKTOP PROCESSORS: FEATURES AT A GLANCE

• Performance Hybrid Architecture

Performance hybrid architecture, combining Performance-cores (P-cores) and Efficient-cores (E-Cores) to deliver balanced single-thread and multi-threaded real-world performance.

• Intel® Thread Director

Optimizes workloads by helping the OS scheduler intelligently distribute workloads to the optimal cores.

• PCIe 5.0 up to 16 Lanes

Offers readiness for up to 32 GT/s for fast access to peripheral devices and networking with up to 16 PCI Express 5.0 lanes.

• PCIe 4.0 up to 4 Lanes

Offers up to 16 GT/s for fast access to peripheral devices and networking with up to 4 PCI Express 4.0 lanes.

• Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s

This industry first memory technology supports fast frequencies and high bandwidth and throughput leading to enhanced workflow and productivity.

• Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s

Supports faster frequencies and higher bandwidth and throughput leading to enhanced workflow and productivity.

• L3 and L2 Cache

Increased shared Intel® Smart Cache (L3) and L2 cache sizes deliver large memory capacity and reduced latency for fast game loading and smooth frame rates.

• Intel® Deep Learning Boost

Accelerates AI inference to improve performance for deep learning workloads.

• Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0 (GNA 3.0)

Processes AI speech and audio applications such as neural noise cancellation while simultaneously freeing up CPU resources for overall system performance and responsiveness.

• Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0

Identifies the processor’s fastest cores and directs critical workloads to them.

• Intel® UHD Graphics driven by Xe Architecture

Rich media and intelligent graphics capabilities enable amplified visual complexity, enhanced 3D performance, and faster image processing.

• Overclocking Features and Capabilities

When paired with the Intel® Z690 chipset, processor P-cores, E-cores, graphics, and memory can be set to run at frequencies above the processor specification resulting in higher performance.

This new hybrid layout is scalable and works from full-fledged desktop down to the Ultra mobile thanks to the ultra-efficient cores.

With two entirely different core architectures under the hood, how do you make sure jobs end up where they need to be? Intel’s Thread Director is built directly into the core and monitors each thread to intelligently schedule threads with nanosecond precision. This requires no OS or user intervention but Thread Director can communicate with supported operating systems like Microsoft’s Windows 11 to help optimize performance.

A New Cache Architecture provides much larger and faster local memory for all cores to ensure highest performance for fast game loads and smooth frame rates.

As most enthusiast motherboard manufacturers ignored Intel’s power definitions and ran any installed CPU at maximum Turbo anyway, intel has simplified Tau and power limits. PL1=PL2=241W. This means that the short-lived burst power limit (PL1), followed by the lower but longer term Power limit 2 (PL2) has changed to just a single high sustained Turbo power limit set at 241 Watts.

Of course, the need for more cores isn’t the only thing growing, so is the need for bandwidth. Intel 12^th Gen processors support new DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0

Overclocking

Intel 12^th Gen Desktop Core processors has six independent clock domains for flexible overclocking.

• Performances Cores
• Efficient Cores
• Ring/Cache
• Base Clock
• Memory
• Integrated Graphics

With so many different clocks to play with, it’s not surprising how many ‘knobs’ there are to turn for extreme overclockers to really dial things in.

To Keep things easy, Intel’s XTU utility has received an update with some exciting new additions.

Of course, One Click Overclocking remains for those who want a bit more without a fight.

 

Introducing the Intel 600 Series Chipset

Game, stream, and record with the Intel Z690 Chipset and unlocked 12th Gen Intel Core desktop processors. For the first time, this chipset supports Intel’s performance hybrid architecture: Performance-cores (P-cores) to drive the most advanced gaming with single and lightly threaded performance, and Efficient-cores (E-cores) to enable simultaneous streaming, recording, and multitasking with highly threaded workloads. Together with the Z690 Chipset, you can now tap into elite throughput and responsiveness, enhanced memory and overclocking, ultra-fast Wi-Fi connectivity and speed, stunning graphics, and next-generation storage to elevate gaming, streaming, recording, and more.

Experience a New Approach to Performance – Overclocking and Throughput

The Intel Z690 Chipset and Unlocked 12th Gen Intel Core desktop processors allow for enhanced overclocking capabilities allowing fine tuning of both compute power and performance.1 The latest Z690 Chipset technologies maximize responsiveness, with support for up to 28 PCIe Gen 4.0 and PCIe Gen 3.0 lanes, increased DMI throughput from 3.0 to 4.0, and increased bandwidth with USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20G).

Enjoy a New Level of Immersion – Connectivity, Storage, and Media

Immerse in the latest gaming titles with ultra-fast connectivity, advanced visuals, and fast, reliable storage. The Intel Z690 Chipset supports integrated Intel Wi-Fi 6E (Gig+) solutions, faster and more reliable2 connections across new 6 GHz Wi-Fi channels. Intel UHD graphics featuring Xe architecture enables you to view stunning, up to 5K60 HDR Video in billions of colors across up to four simultaneous 4K60 displays. Plus, deploy next-generation storage with Intel VMD—Volume Management Device—an easy way to manage your storage devices. The Intel Z690 Chipset supports unbelievable responsiveness with support for Intel Optane SSDs for storage demanding workloads.

• NEW Chipset PCIe 4.0 Lanes
• NEW x8 DMI Gen 4.0 for double and faster bandwidth between chipset and processor
• NEW Integrated Intel Wi-Fi 6E (Gig+)
• NEW Intel Volume Management Device (Intel VMD) for user friendly PCIe device management
• Additional USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 20Gbps for double the USB Connectivity Speed