Intel has announced the latest generation of chips for both laptops and desktops. Dubbed Alder Lake, Intel’s 12th generation processors represent one of the biggest performance leaps that Intel processors have been offering in recent times. The launch, which took place at CES 2022, introduced 22 new desktop PCs and 28 new laptop CPU models. Intel claims its mainstream variant is the fastest laptop processor to date.
Starting with 12th generation Intel Alder Lake processors for laptops, the latter are based on Intel’s 7nm manufacturing process. Its flagship variant is the Core i9-12900HK, which offers a 14-core configuration. The processor has six high-performance cores, each with two threads, and eight single-threaded cores.
The CPU provides a clock boost of up to 5GHz, and the chipmaker claims that all of this will result in a 28% increase in gaming performance and a 43% increase in 3D rendering performance compared to its flagship 11th generation Core i9-11980HK processor. The 12th generation chips also support LPDDR5 memory, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, and Thunderbolt 4.
Alder Lake’s 12th generation processors will be offered in three flavors: performance-oriented H-series chips for high-performance laptops, P-series chips for thin and light laptops, and U-series chips for thin convertibles, hybrids, and 2-processor. in-1s. Notebooks based on the H-series chips will be announced by OEMs next month, with the rest becoming available in the first quarter of 2022.
Panos Panay, chief product officer of Microsoft, said in a 12th generation launch announcement: “Microsoft and Intel have a long history of working together to bring incredible performance and user experience to people around the world. Whether you’re playing the latest AAA, encoding 8K video, or developing complex geological models, the combination of Windows 11 and the new 12th Gen Intel Core mobile processors means you’ll have a powerful experience.”
Intel also introduced 22 Alder Lake desktop processor WeUs. From the Core i9 to the Celeron, the processors offer TDPs ranging from 35W to 65W, with the latter being offered with the company’s new laminar coolers. New chipsets supporting the latest processors include the H670, H610 and B660.