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: DDR5 vs DDR4
Traditionally we test our memory settings at JEDEC specifications. JEDEC is the standards body that determines the requirements for each memory standard. In this case, the Core i9 supports the following aligning with those standards:
- DDR4-3200 CL22
- DDR5-4800B CL40*
There's an * next to the DDR5 for a couple of reasons. First, when asked, Intel stated that 4800A (CL34) was the official support, however since the technical documents have now been released, we've discovered that it is 4800B (CL40). Secondly, 4800B CL40 technically only applies to 1 module per 64-bit channel on the motherboard, and only when the motherboard has two 64-bit slots to begin with. We covered Intel's memory support variants in a previous article, and in this instance, we're using DDR5-4800B memory in our testing.
As explained in our SPEC section, DDR5 memory not only brings bandwidth improvements but also the increased number of channels (4x32-bit vs 2x64-bit) means that the memory can be better utilized as threads pile on the memory requests. So while we don't see much improvement in single threaded workloads, there are a number of multi-threaded workloads that would love the increased performance.
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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)?