Intel has finally lifted the curtains of its next-generation desktop processors. The company’s new 11th-generation Rocket Lake-S desktop chip series is a sequel to the 10th-generation Comet Lake processors. However, it still uses the 14nm architecture, which is probably the biggest disappointment of Intel’s new CPU series. The second disappointment is that the top-end Core i9 processor has 8 cores this year due to the limitation of the 14nm process node, which is a downgrade of the Core i9-10900K that came with 10 cores.
Despite using the same node for nearly half a decade, Intel has managed to express every bit of performance. It is claimed that it could marginally defeat the new Ryzen 5000 series desktop processors, and of course there are some other upgrades, including support for PCIe 4, USB 3.2 2 × 2 (20G), an increase in IPC (instruction per cycle / clock). of 19%, and more. Intel has backed up two of its technologies for the new Rocket Lake chips. These include the Sunny Cove core of the 10nm Ice Lake mobile chips that were rebuilt at 14nm and rebranded as Cypress Cove.
The new processors also feature new Intel UHD graphics, based on the Iris Xe graphics, which was seen last year with the launch of the 10 nm-based 11th-generation Tiger Lake processors for laptops. It is claimed that the new graphics offer 50% better integrated graphics performance. The Rocket Lake-S processors also have a new memory controller that can support up to 3200 MHz DDR4 RAM.
Intel is also finally starting on the PCIe front by offering 20-lane access to the CPU for increased bandwidth. The new processors will continue at high clock speeds led by the new Core i9-11900K, which can rise to 5.3GHz. Notably, almost all of the above improvements apply to the Core i9, Core i7 and Core i5 models, as the Core i3, Pentium and Celeron chips will follow the same Comet Lake (Skylake) architecture.
The new 11th generation desktop processors will also come with new overclocking tools, including real-time memory overclocking, which enables the DDR4 frequency in real time without having to restart your system. Memory overclocking support is also being extended to H570 and B560 chips for the first time. Intel also offers support for Resizable BAR, which enables users to access all GPU memory simultaneously through the CPU. The new processors also add support for enhanced media, including 10-bit AV1 and 12-bit high-efficiency video encoding (HEVC) decoding and end-to-end compression, HDMI 2.0, HRB3, Thunderbolt 4 and Intel Wi-Fi Fi 6E support.
Intel shared some performance parameters where they claim that the 11th generation Core i9-11900K can deliver up to 11% better gaming performance than the AMD Ryzen 5900X. Compared to its own 10th generation Core i9-10900K, the new chipset can offer up to 14% better gaming performance. For those who do not want to spend a lot of money on the high-chip, the 11th generation Core i5-11600K also offers a decent bump of up to 16% improvement compared to the 10th generation Core i5 10600K.
A new range of desktop processors also means new mobos. Intel has given us some insight into the new 500 Series motherboards, which have been on the market since January. The new Z590 should be your choice if you are looking for all the top features, while the H570 and B560 boards will sit at the back, but offer equally good options at a lower price. The new 500 series supports the new 11th generation processors, while the 10th generation computer processors will also be compatible thanks to the LGA1200 connection. The new 500 Series offers support for USB 3.2 2 × 2 for 20 Gbps speeds, memory overclocking support on the H570 and B560, 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes support, and discrete Wi-Fi 6E and Thunderbolt 4.
Prices start at $ 182 for the Core i5-11400T, up to $ 539 for the Core i9-11900K. The Core i3 and Pentium processor options will have the tenth generation with minor upgrades, with prices ranging from $ 84 for the entry-level Pentium Gold G6405T to $ 154 for the Core i3-10325. Intel’s 11th generation desktop processors are available today.