Intel's 12th Gen chips are expected to launch soon—what are your thoughts?
Intel's 12th Gen chips are expected to launch soon—what are your thoughts?
The cost is greater when measured against older desktop CPUs; Alder Lake Extreme seems likely to be quite pricey. I anticipate some issues with Alder Lake, since anyone switching will need Windows 11 to fully utilize its performance enhancements.
These parts are available on Newegg at current prices. The i5-12600KF costs $319 while the i7-12700KF is $429. They’re marginally pricier than the 5600x and 5800x models, yet both offer four e-cores compared to AMD alternatives. When evaluated alongside the 5600x and 5899x, they appear attractive if performance matters. The higher IPC and extra cores should give them an edge over previous AMD options. The i9-12900K is likely overpriced at $589, still missing the cost-effectiveness of the 5900x or exceeding the 5950x. Motherboard costs are also higher than those for AMD chips, and DDR5 variants add extra expense. Cooler options remain limited at the moment.
I'll wait and see what AMD releases. I play at 4k 120hz on OLED screens and require stronger GPUs before needing better CPUs. Right now I'm back to where I was in 2012, with my i7 2600k working fine but needing GPU upgrades every generation. That's changing at 1440p since I'm consistently CPU-limited across all tested titles using a 3080 ti. Now 1440p feels like the new 1080p for me. Since I'm downsizing my system, I expect to upgrade sometime next year.
I’d prefer an 8-core unit priced around $384, a motherboard over $200, and RAM that meets expectations. Early adopter discounts are worth noting. I’m not obligated to upgrade, but I’m keeping an eye on it and curious about how this new configuration will perform.
It seems the $319 12600KF offers great value. It has six cores with hyperthreading and four cores for extra tasks, plus a 20MB L3 cache. You won’t need the most expensive motherboards—just a $200 Z690 with fast DDR4 should work well. It should match the Ryzen 5 5600x nicely, and if Windows scheduler optimizes it, it could beat it. It should also be close to the 5800x in performance.
I've been looking for concrete details about these products. I'm hoping the initial problems with early adopters won't be too severe and that the costs for RAM and motherboards stay reasonable.
I’m optimistic the scheduler and bugs will stay manageable. Motherboards are currently costly, but you can purchase them now. The most affordable options start around $200; they still appear robust like mid-range Z590 models. It might be that Intel’s specifications restrict power delivery on lower-tier Z590s due to excessive heat complaints from reviewers. Additionally, the shift in Intel’s Spec to list Maximum boost TDP could impact performance expectations.