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The Alder Lake-S models, with which Intel will launch the new desktop CPUs this fall, are already known. But now there are first indications of “T” models with significantly lower TDP, but also lower clock rates. FanlessTech gives key data for seven models from the i3-12100T to the i9-12900T.

The Intel CPUs, which are marked with a “T” at the end of the model number, have so far stood for variants with a TDP of only 35 watts, which are primarily intended for particularly economical or compact systems. This is also to be expected with the 12th Core generation alias Alder Lake-S. Seven T-models should be loud FanlessTech Reach the market in early 2022.

Core i3-12100T to Core i9-12900T

The T series is led by the Core i9-12900T, which, like the Core i9-12900K (F), should have 8 performance cores (Golden Cove) and 8 cores (Gracemont) that are trimmed for efficiency. The maximum CPU clock (Turbo) of 4.9 GHz is well below the up to 5.3 GHz in the 12900K (F). The difference is likely to be even greater in the basic clock, but there is no information on this. Like the i7-12700K, the i7-12700T only has four efficiency cores.

According to the information, the smaller Gracemont cores are no longer in the T series. Six performance cores are listed for the i5-12600T, i5-12500T and i5-12400T. The i3-12300T and i3-12100T only have four large P-cores. The models also differ in terms of the integrated graphics unit: From the 12500T to the 12900T there is the UHD 770, and the weaker UHD 730 for the 12100T to 12400T.

The UHD 730 with 24 execution units (EU) is already available from Rocket Lake. According to its name, the UHD 770 is a faster GPU than the UHD 750 (32 EU) of the faster Rocket Lake models.

Alder Lake-S with higher TDP starts soon

Before the T models, however, the regular desktop models with an expected 65 watt to 125 watt TDP, which Intel plans to bring to market in autumn 2021, are to be expected. Specific references to the models were provided by dealers, among others, and also given prices.

With Alder Lake-S there is not only the new hybrid CPU architecture, but also a platform change including support for DDR5 and PCIe 5.0. The new socket is called LGA 1700 and requires new coolers or upgrade kits for existing solutions, such as those announced by Arctic and Noctua. The new chipsets are led by the Z690.

Meanwhile, benchmarks in which a Core i9-12900K beats the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X fuel high expectations in terms of performance.

The report “Intel Alder Lake: 19% higher IPC, hardware scheduler, DDR5 and more” summarizes detailed and official information on the new CPU generation.