CES 2022: 12th Gen Intel Core H-series Mobile Processors
Alder Lake Reaches the Enthusiast Notebook Space
Intel is unveiling their 12th Gen Core H-series (45W) mobile processor lineup today, and the company obviously thinks they have the best overall notebook platform with the 12th Gen launch.
Just look at the language adorning the featured image in this article (above), which is part of a slide from the press briefing on these new 12th Gen parts. Phrases such as “the fastest mobile processor. ever.” and “world’s best mobile gaming platform” inform the reader that there is nothing wrong with Intel’s confidence.
Intel continues its introduction of industry-leading mobile performance with the launch of all-new 12th Gen Intel Core H-series mobile processors led by the Intel Core i9-12900HK – not only the world’s best mobile gaming platform, but also the fastest mobile processor ever created.
By pairing Performance-cores (P-cores) and Efficient-cores (E-cores) with intelligent workload prioritization and management distribution through Intel® Thread Director, the new Intel Core i9-12900HK improves system performance across single and multi-threaded applications.
These new parts bring Intel’s new hybrid CPU architecture to their mobile chips for the first time (take that, Apple), and thus far we know about the desktop parts with their mix of P (performance) and E (efficiency) cores. So, what’s new, exactly? Let us consult the “what’s new” slide:
Based on the Intel 7 process, new 12th Gen H-series processors offer:
- Up to 5 GHz frequencies, 14 cores (6 P-cores and 8 E-cores) and 20 threads that give the 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900HK the crown as the fastest mobile processor. It delivers performance leadership over Intel’s previous generation and the competition.
- The performance extends for unparalleled gaming experiences across top gaming titles and content creation tools. The new 12th Gen Intel Core H-series is the world’s best mobile gaming platform, delivering up to 28% faster gaming than the previous mobile gaming leader in the market:the Intel Core i9-11980HK. 12th Gen Intel Core H-series is more than up to the task for content creators. For example, users may see up to 43% higher performance in 3D rendering gen-over-gen.
- Broad memory support for DDR5/LPDDR5 and DDR4/LPDDR4 modules up to 4800 MT/s – a first in the industry for H-series mobile processors.
- Nearly three times faster connectivity on exclusive high-speed channels without legacy Wi-Fi interference. Using integrated Intel Wi-Fi 6E (Gig+)v gives users the freedom to work and learn from home and relax with smooth, high-quality streaming.
- Thunderbolt 4 support that delivers transfer speeds up to 40Gbps and PC connectivity to multiple 4K monitors and accessories.
Intel’s 12th Gen Core H-series SKUs range from the 8-core, 12-thread (4P+4E) Core i5-12450H processor all the way up to the new flagship 14-core, 20-thread (6P+8E) Core i9-12900HK.
The unequal mix of performance and efficiency cores throughout the lineup is interesting, with most SKUs containing more efficiency cores than performance cores, one with an equal division (the i5-12400H), and one with fewer E-cores than P-cores (i7-12650). Efficiency cores only come in fours, apparently.
Intel-Provided Performance Numbers
Here are some slides featuring Intel-provided test results, beginning with a comparison between Intel 11th and 12th Gen flagships (useful), and then devolving into comparisons with an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX (which Team Red will thumb their collective nose at):
Intel claims that gaming performance with the Core i9-12900HK – using the same GPU in the same model of laptop (MSI GE76 Raider with RTX 3080) – is up considerably, topping out at an increase of 28% over the Core i9-11900HK. I’m not sure what the “up to 28% faster” label remains atop the second slide which adds Ryzen 9 5900HX performance, considering the 5900HX results on this chart. Isn’t it more than 28%? Is this a typo?
Content creators can also expect big gains over 11th Gen Core H-series parts, with Adobe Premiere in particular showing a reported 44% increase with the Core i9-12900HK.
It Takes a Platform
Of course, as this is an Intel platform launch there was an emphasis on just that – the platform. The 12th Gen Core H-series CPUs boast “leading platform technologies” including Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E, Thunderbolt 4, and Intel’s Deep Link Technology.
Expect these new 12th Gen processors in over 100 designs during “Intel’s fastest H-series ramp”, with partners including Acer, ASUS ROG, Dell, Gigabyte, HP, Lenovo, MSI, and Razer.
“Designed for enthusiast gamers, creators and engineering professionals who want to push their laptop performance to the next level, the new 12th Gen Intel Core H-series mobile processors deliver desktop-caliber performance on the go. They will power systems available starting in February 2022.”
