Tech

Alder Lake: Intel floods the market with 50 new CPUs, we tested the Core i5-12400

The first Alder Lake processors, Intel’s next generation, made their debut at the beginning of last November, but the lineup then only featured unlocked high-end models, ranging from the Core i5-12600K to the Core i9-12900K. (and their “KF” derivatives without integrated graphics controller). The manufacturer is now supplementing its portfolio with many new mobile or desktop CPUs.

alder lake intro
Credit: Intel

Intel segments its new products according to the target market, from desktop models to Ultra Mobile versions (U-Series) through classic mobile CPUs (P-Series) or those for “Power Users” (H-Series). In total, these are about fifty new processors which are formalized, all based on the same Alder Lake architecture that we have already detailed in our previous Intel Core Gen12 Processor Brief.

A full line of desktop processors

As usual, Intel is multiplying the models by playing on their technical characteristics (number of cores, frequencies, quantity of cache, presence of an iGP…). It also covers all price ranges: the more affordable Alder Lake is priced at $ 42, compared to $ 489 for the Core i9-12900 and i9-12900T.

However, some features are common to all desktop models. This is for example the case for the maximum amount of memory supported (128 GB), the type of compatible memory and the maximum official frequency (DDR4-3200 and DDR5-4800) or the number of PCIe lanes (x20).

alder lake desktop
Credit: Intel

The main range consists of 13 new models, to be added to the six unlocked K-Series already available (Core i5-12600K / KF, Core i7-12700K / KF and Core i9-12900K / KF). The number of hearts varies between 2 and 24, for base frequencies between 2.1 GHz and 3.7 GHz. PBP – Processor Base Power, more or less equivalent to TDP for simplicity – vary between 46W and 65W, with an MTP (the maximum consumption in Turbo mode) reaching 202 watts on the most demanding CPUs.

Only the Core i9 and Core i7 benefit from the hybrid architecture put forward by the manufacturer, the other CPUs must be satisfied with P-Cores. Likewise, the Turbo Boost Max 3.0 is only available on the Core i7 and Core i9, only the Cores benefit from a Turbo mode and the Celeron is the only model to be without Hyper-Threading. The F-Series versions are identical to the classic versions, with the exception of the iGP, absent on the F models.

alder lake desktop
Credit: Intel

Designed for compact desktops and All-in-Ones, the nine new T-Series models all have a PBP of 35 watts, and a much more reasonable MTP than on conventional Alder Lakes. As a direct consequence, the operating frequencies of the P-Cores (and, where applicable, of the E-Cores) are significantly revised downwards, but the rest of the characteristics (price included) remain similar or even identical, with E-cores still reserved for Core i7 and Core i9.

alder lake ventirads
Credit: Intel

Apart from the T-Series, all these processors are additionally sold with their own cooler. Three different models are available depending on the heat dissipation needs. The Pentium and Celeron are satisfied with a basic cooling system, while the Core i3, i5 and i7 benefit from a larger model. Finally, the Core i9s are the most spoiled with a silent RGB cooler dedicated to them.

Mobile Core Gen12s for all tastes

The Alder Lake architecture is also making its appearance on the mobile market, and with it all of its new features (DDR5 support, hybrid architecture, etc.). The mobile range is moreover even more complete than the range of office models, with no less than 28 new references (all market segments combined).

alder lake H-Series
Credit: Intel

Intel distinguishes four ranges, each aimed at a more specific segment of the market. The H-Series thus represent the top of the range, powerful but greedy models, with a common PBP of 45 watts and an MTP of 95 watts or 115 watts. Then come the P-Series with a 28 watt PBP and a 64 watt MTP, then finally the U-Series, i.e. the most energy efficient CPUs (9W or 15W PBP, 29W or 55W MTP ).

alder lake H-Series
Credit: Intel
alder lake P-Series
Credit: Intel

The H-Series range, the most powerful, brings together two Core i9s (including the only unlocked mobile model in this range, the Core i9-12900HK) with 6 P-Cores and 8 E-Cores each, three Core i7s (six P- Cores and 4 or 8 E-Cores) and three Core i5s (four P-Cores and 4 or 8 E-Cores). The base frequencies range between 2 GHz and 2.7 GHz, for a Turbo Boost of 5 GHz maximum on the Core i9s. Finally, if the PBP is the same regardless of the U-Series model, the MTP depends on the model: 95W ​​for the Core i5 against 115W for the Core i7 and i9.

The P-Series line comes below the H-Series models, with lower PBP and MTP (28W and 64W respectively). The balance between performance and efficiency therefore shifts towards the E-Cores: all models have eight, while the number of P-Cores varies: four or six on the Core i7s, four on the Core i5s. and only two on the Core i3. Frequencies are logically lowered (between 1.5 GHz and 2.2 GHz for the base frequency of P-Cores).

alder lake U-Series
Credit: Intel
alder lake U-Series
Credit: Intel

Finally come the two U-Series ranges, models with a 15-watt PBP (and 55W MTP) on one side and those with a 9-watt PBP (and 29W MTP) on the other. The P-Cores / E-Cores ratio is even more energy efficient: the Pentium and Celeron have a single P-Core for four E-Cores, and all other models in the range have only two P-Cores. and four or eight E-Cores. The difference between the U-Series in 15W and those in 9W is to be found only on the side of the frequencies, lower on the models with the lowest consumption.

Four chipsets to rule them all

If the high-end Z690 chipset was launched at the same time as the first Alder Lake, the arrival of new mid-range and entry-level processors is logically accompanied by several other chipsets dedicated to this LGA platform. 1700.

alder lake chipsets
Credit: Intel

The differences between the Z690 and the H670, B660 and H610 can be found in terms of overclocking features, the number of memory channels (only one on the entry-level H610 against two on the other chipsets), on the number of PCIe 4.0 and 3.0 lines and the number of DMI 4.0 lines between the chipset and the processor (between 4 and 8) or the number and type of USB connectors. On the other hand, all have a WiFi 6E controller and support the Intel RST, with restrictions however on the B660 and H610.

Alder Lake processors: performance

On paper Intel announces a most interesting performance increase: up to 28% faster in games than the previous generation Cores, and significant gains in creation software (from + 10% to + 44% with Adobe Creative Cloud, 30% of the time in Blender…). Far from being satisfied with the official figures, we have to check you what these new processors Alder Lake really had in the belly. In collaboration with our colleague Igor Wallossek (Igor’s Lab), we have therefore compiled the average performance in a suite of nine games of one of these processors, the Core i5-12400. This one embeds six P-Cores and displays base and Turbo frequencies of respectively 2.5 GHz and 4.4 GHz (4 GHz on all cores), all for a PBP of 65W and a MTP of 150W.

In terms of test platforms, the Alder Lake “K” were tested with an MSI MEG Z690 Unify motherboard and 2 x 16 GB of Corsair Dominator DDR5-5200 memory. Given its mid-range placement, the Core i5-12400 has meanwhile been tested on a more reasonable platform consisting of an MSI MAG B660 Mortar WiFi motherboard accompanied by the same memory. But we also carried out measurements on an MSI MAG B660 Mortar WiFi DDR4 accompanied this time by 2 x 16 GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR4-4000 memory (configured in DDR4-3733). This is the opportunity to find out if DDR5 offers performance gains compared to DDR4.

What performance in game in 720p?

alder lake core i5-12400 average performance 720p
Credit: Galaxie Media

As we had already noticed in our previous report on the Core i5-12400, this processor is placed on average between the Ryzen 5 5600X and its Zen 3 architecture and the Core i7-11700K of the previous range. Fun fact, using DDR4 instead of DDR5 doesn’t seem to have any impact on performance. Some games have even paid for the luxury of being faster on the platform equipped with DDR4!

What performance in game in 1080p?

alder lake core i5-12400 average performance 1080p
Credit: Galaxie Media

Increasing the definition does not scare this Core i5-12400 since it finds itself between a Core i9-11900K barely faster than it, and a Ryzen 5 5600X just as powerful. Once again, the platform equipped with DDR4 is faster than the one equipped with DDR5 memory. The difference is minimal, at the limit of the measurement error margin, but already greater than that observed in 720p.

What performance in game in 1440p?

alder lake core i5-12400 average performance 1440p
Credit: Galaxie Media

In QHD, the differences tend to smooth out between the different processors, the workload being deported to the GPU. Once again sandwiched between the Ryzen 5 5600X and the Core i9-11900K, the Core i5-12400 confirms its excellent performance in video games. But the superiority of the platform in DDR4 over that in DDR5 is also confirmed, with a Core i5-12400 which then exceeds the Core i9-11900K. Between the two platforms, the difference in video games reaches almost 1%… in favor of that in DDR4!

What consumption?

Let’s finish with the in-game consumption of this Core i5-12400. The first Alder Lake “K” were particularly comfortable in this part, with a very reasonable fuel consumption and much lower than that seen on the Cores of the previous generation.

alder lake core i5-12400 average consumption 720p
Credit: Galaxie Media
alder lake core i5-12400 average consumption 1080p
Credit: Galaxie Media
alder lake core i5-12400 average consumption 1440p
Credit: Galaxie Media

With an average consumption that does not exceed 45W regardless of the resolution (and whether with DDR4 or DDR5) and competitors who really do not play in the same category, the Core i5-12400 is impressive. Combine that with its very good performance in video games and excellent fuel efficiency, and you have the new midrange champion.

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