The Intel 12th Gen Core i9-12900K Review: Hybrid Performance Brings Hybrid Complexity
by Dr. Ian Cutress & Andrei Frumusanu on November 4, 2021 9:00 AM ESTCPU Benchmark Performance: E-Core
In this batch of testing, we're focusing primarily on the E-cores. Intel claimed that the performance was around the level of its Skylake generation of processors (6th Gen to 10th Gen, depending which slide you read), and we had to put that to the test. In this instance, we're comparing to the flagship Skylake processor, the Core i7-6700K, which offered 4C/8T at 91 W. We also did a number of multi-threaded tests to see where the E-cores would line up.
In order to enable E-core only operation, we used affinity masks.
Single Threaded
In these few tests, we can see that the E-core is almost there at 4.2 GHz Skylake. Moving down to 3.9 GHz, perhaps something like the i7-6700, would put it on par.
Multi-Thread Tests
Having a full eight E-cores compared to Skylake's 4C/8T arrangement helps in a lot of scenarios that are compute limited. When we move to more memory limited environments, or with cross-talk, then the E-cores are a bit more limited due to the cache structure and the long core-to-core latencies. Even with DDR5 in tow, the E-cores can be marginal to the Skylake, for example in WinRAR which tends to benefit from cache and memory bandwidth.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
474 Comments
View All Comments
Spunjji - Friday, November 5, 2021 - link
I thought much the same.blanarahul - Thursday, November 4, 2021 - link
"ArsTechnica gave a bit more info in that regard, and Alder Lake looks terrible on performance/watt."I was suspicious that this is the reason Intel finally went hybrid on mainstream. Golden Cove can have horrible perf/watt since Gracemont exists for low power scenarios.
Maxiking - Thursday, November 4, 2021 - link
listening to arse technica in 2k21 lolmichael2k - Thursday, November 4, 2021 - link
It's data. Do you just discount data?The Garden Variety - Thursday, November 4, 2021 - link
Well, you at least have to appreciate that Maxiking saved significant time and effort by typing "2k21" instead of "2021". Attention to efficiency is something we can all respect and admire in MMXXI.m53 - Thursday, November 4, 2021 - link
[Intel 12th gen consumes less power in gaming across the board vs Ryzen 5000 series](https://www.reddit.com/r/intel/comments/qmw9fl/why... [Even the Multi threaded perf per watt is also better for 12900K compared to 5900X](https://twitter.com/capframex/status/1456244849477... It is only specific cases where 12900k need to beat 5950x in multi threaded loads it needs to crank up more power. But for typical users Intel is both the perf /watt and perf /dollar champion.Bobbyjones - Thursday, November 4, 2021 - link
Until you look at the gaming power consumption and realize Intel is beating AMD in efficiency in games and general use. Check igorslab's review. Its only in the highly threaded workstation applications like blender or synthetics that use 100% of load that Intel starts using quite a bit of power. But 99% of users will never do those, all they care about is gaming, browsing, video, etc.Blastdoor - Thursday, November 4, 2021 - link
So if 99% of users don’t need multiple cores, I guess intel made a huge mistake in including them. They could have just made a dual core processor and “99%” of users would have been just fine.I think it’s HILARIOUS that people are arguing that the efficiency of this thing is just fine so long as you don’t actually fully utilize it.
Hulk - Thursday, November 4, 2021 - link
You mean like how I can drive my Civic in a sane manner and get 40mpg or hammer it and get 20mpg? Push the CPU (or automobile) out of it's efficient zone and it becomes less efficient. You can do the same thing with Zen 3 CPU's. They get a little faster and use a lot more power. Same as Intel CPU's.jerrylzy - Friday, November 5, 2021 - link
12900K is no Civic. More like a Ferrari. If you never push that Ferrari, why buy it? Buy a Civic then (12600)?