Not everyone agrees that Rocket Lake is okay. Some people think it's perfectly fine.
Not everyone agrees that Rocket Lake is okay. Some people think it's perfectly fine.
It depends on what you're looking for. Compared to AMD, it's still not outstanding. Some boards support faster RAM, like on non-Z series models. AMD has made it possible to overclock RAM and CPUs on their non-leading chipsets since the Ryzen era began.
In terms of overall performance, it falls short. The 11900k isn't as strong as the 5900x in many cases. Intel's i5 chips are currently the only real contender against AMD, especially when paired with the i9 series. If AMD releases more affordable 5000-series chips, the situation could shift.
The i9 lineup has its drawbacks—high power consumption, poor thermal management, and performance that’s only slightly better than AMD’s options in certain scenarios. The i7 models are decent now, offering better temperatures and value for work that doesn’t demand many threads. The i3 chips are a refreshed version of older models; they’re decent but not outstanding.
The 11700k is on par with the 10700k in performance. i5 processors remain Intel’s strongest choice this generation, delivering solid all-round results. i3s are a step up from previous generations and are a good value, though not revolutionary.
Mid-range and lower-end 5000-series chips from AMD are still relevant, but getting them is challenging right now—especially the 5900x and 5950x. The situation is evolving, but Intel’s new architecture brings some promise.
I mentioned in my review that these features are already widely appreciated by most reviewers, except for Skatterbencher who was a world champion in LN2 overclocking. Rocket Lake serves as a bridge between Alder Lake and ADL. ADL will include two IMCs, which is why RKL has gear 2. However, taking out one IMC while keeping CML compatibility with Z590 really damaged RKL's position. Intel will be very competitive with ADL. Whether they will completely surpass AMD remains confidential. Picture RKL as the "Pentium M" before Core architecture.
Yeah, I had the wrong phrasing. What I meant was that Rocket Lake was chasing the lead. I'm really looking forward to Intel's 7nm process (finally!) and I hope we as users keep seeing better CPUs, especially with the 12th generation being solid.
I'd describe myself as a die-hard Intel enthusiast on this site (though I appreciate AMD's CPUs too). I don't believe the 11th-gen chips should have been released at all. Even with the 11400 and 11600k models, they don't offer much standalone value—they only shine when paired with AMD products. The 10th-gen line is interesting mainly because it's affordable and still performs well with Ryzen 5000 setups when configured right. They should have reduced prices for the 10th gen, avoided Rocket Lake, and fully embraced Alder Lake instead.
It could relate more to the way their marketing and distribution functions compared to other factors. Doing what they did might have been better for the business than your situation, regardless of the product they offer.
From a customer perspective, Intel must meet investor expectations, so they probably need to offer something new or appear struggling. AMD managed to pause operations and prepare Ryzen, but a major tech giant like Intel lacks the same flexibility. They likely understand their offerings fall short but are still investing in broader plans. It's regrettable they didn't deliver anything exceptional this time.
I really enjoy Rocket Lake, especially since my 5900X isn’t behaving well after the latest AGESA updates. No matter how fast or efficient something runs, reliability is key. My machine freezes right when I power it on for P95. Honestly, I switched to Ryzen with the 1800X—this is my fourth unit, while I’ve managed to keep them stable. On the other hand, I’ve had to battle all of them. I turned off DRAM power-down and C-States; it’s just not working. With my Intel systems, I never needed to do that. I’m feeling confident now. What are your thoughts on Fine Wine? It seems like some products become stable only a couple years after purchase. I’m seriously thinking about selling my 5900X locally and upgrading to a 10850K on Z490 or a 11900K on Z590. I’m open to the idea of lasting five years or more without worrying about crashes. Just installing BIOS updates and Intel software should keep things running smoothly. I’ve used a Q9450 for over seven years, daily and hard. Sandy Bridge arrived, but I didn’t mind—it worked perfectly every day. Between the 10850K and 11900K, both are slower than my current Ryzen; the 10-core feels like it’s close. I lose two cores but gain Intel’s engineering, quality assurance, and dependability. AMD has shown they can build CPUs, but I don’t think they’ve delivered a fully reliable platform yet. Their chipsets were poor back then, Nvidia had to step in with Nforce, and they’re still not quite there on AM4. I shouldn’t have given up on the brands I’ve followed so passionately. In the past 25 years, I’ve built PCs with Intel and Nvidia, plus spent a lot on AMD—knowing how to assemble and maintain them. That’s my take. I’m open-minded overall but growing more set in my ways. Personally, I’ve always favored Intel-Nvidia-Asus because of my hands-on experience over the last quarter of that time and the ten years before that. That’s my opinion. I’ve invested heavily in AMD—four Ryzen CPUs, two boards—and I’m confident in my ability to build and fix PCs. If you’re committed to a stable setup, remember there are countless hardware/software combos out there. Don’t let a few anecdotes or opinions hurt your confidence. AMD hasn’t delivered enough quality assurance to match Intel’s standards. Plus, other companies don’t use them for rigorous testing. I paid top dollar for AMD and got what I expected; I don’t need to agree with their choices. Stick with Intel for now. Rocket Lake is strong—it offers stability and support, making it the top choice for anyone serious about business, not just gaming. Many gamers on these forums struggle with instability, but they usually brush off occasional issues. Still, they rarely run memtest86 all night. In short, my point is that a CPU isn’t just about speed—it’s also about the platform behind it. While AMD may have faster chips today, Intel still leads in overall reliability and support. The platform matters more than raw performance when it comes to long-term use.
I'm not really into AMD stuff, but this new build seems pretty reliable compared to my Intel gear. I'm not a big fan of either brand anyway. This might be my final one for a while. I enjoy getting things working, but it doesn't have all the features built-in.