Discussion Alder Lake - Builders Thread

[AdamK47]

This thread is for those of us that own or are looking to get an Alder Lake CPU.

Bought mine on release day. 12900K. Memory selection was limited to only Crucial DDR5 4800 at the Micro Center I went to. Bought two 2 x 8GB kits. Motherboard is a Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master. I did buy a 360mm Lian Li Galahad 360mm AIO. Ended up returning it since the Lian Li Socket 1700 backplate that I bought separately worked well with my NZXT Kraken X73.

 

[Aikouka]

Does it show the same "new CPU" message if you put in a different used CPU?

I haven’t tried that specific scenario, but I would assume that it does. I take it as a helpful prompt for those that swap components and possibly forget to check their BIOS settings.

 

[Markfw]

I haven’t tried that specific scenario, but I would assume that it does. I take it as a helpful prompt for those that swap components and possibly forget to check their BIOS settings.

This happens on every motherboard I have used in the last 5-10 years. The bios sees a different CPU than what is saved in bios, but until you enter BIOS and save the changes, it will never work right, so this is the way for the system to force you to enter BIOS and then save.

 

[Aikouka]

This happens on every motherboard I have used in the last 5-10 years. The bios sees a different CPU than what is saved in bios, but until you enter BIOS and save the changes, it will never work right, so this is the way for the system to force you to enter BIOS and then save.

Speaking of the BIOS and its user friendliness, one thing that I ran into on an ASUS board that was a bit of a hair-raising adventure was some memory that couldn't handle its rated timings. Unsurprisingly, it was Corsair memory, as in my experience, the only RAM that I've ever had fail at rated timings was Corsair. Keep in mind that this was only DDR4-3600, and not some crazy 4000+ modules. What was weird is how everything worked fine for a bit. I went through the first stage of the Windows install where it copies the files, and after it tried to boot up for the first time, it Black Screen of Death'd me during boot up. The system ended up progressively getting worse after I power cycled it to the point where it wouldn't even boot. I think I had to forcibly switch the system off, and attempt to power it back on again for the ASUS board to enter a BIOS Safe Mode. Once I turned off XMP, the memory worked fine. I swapped in some really nice GSkill memory with good timings (DDR4-3200 CL14) with XMP set to ON, and it worked absolutely fine, so I was sure it wasn't the CPU's IMC.

Anyway, that was the first time that I had ran into a situation like that. I was used to having to clear the CMOS to deal with bad BIOS settings, so it's interesting to see how much further we've come since those days.

 

[igor_kavinski]

Unsurprisingly, it was Corsair memory, as in my experience, the only RAM that I've ever had fail at rated timings was Corsair.

OMG, totally true. I used to think Corsair was a good RAM brand. Found out the hard way when I got the G1.Sniper mobo for my i7-5775C. It was a hair pulling experience trying to get that mobo to accept four sticks of Corsair RAM for a total of 32GB. I even ripped off the heatsink off of one of them in a most barbaric manner out of frustration. Finally ended up ordering a Kingston 32GB kit and my mobo has never been happier. Weirdly though, those Corsair RAM sticks didn't mind Dell branded desktops and passed memory tests with flying colors.

 

[Bouowmx]

My experience with i7-12700K working with memory.
It can run DDR4-4000 Gear1 with 1.45 VCCSA. However, this configuration can only run auto timings. Any tightening of timings results in instability (not a limitation of memory kit). I have to drop down 3600 MT/s Gear1.
Quick comparison of performance in PYPrime, a benchmark that can easily show memory scaling. E cores disabled, P cores and ring fixed to 4.7 GHz.

Configuration	Time (s)
4000 Gear1 Auto	8.928
3600 Gear1 Tuned	8.064

 

[JoeRambo]

The proper value for tREFI is 65535. RDRDsg should be 6 for such low clocks.

1.45VCCSA is balistic, i don't think it is worth running such high SA voltage just for the sake of having 4000. Have You tried tuning the IO voltage? Can help stabilize the OC big time.
2x8GB of B-DIE should be good for 4000CL15 EASY, 4000CL14 is pushing it somewhat and would require 1.55V ?

I'd target 4000C15 with tight everything, rather than 3600C13. 7.5ns vs 7.22ns first word, but 11% faster IMC clock more than makes up for it. And BW of course.

 

[Bouowmx]

Have You tried tuning the IO voltage? Can help stabilize the OC big time.

There is no longer a separate IO voltage, only the System Agent voltage to override.
ASUS BIOS manual for Intel 600 series: https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/...UF_GAMING_Intel_600_Series_BIOS_EM_WEB_EN.pdf

 

[JoeRambo]

There is no longer a separate IO voltage, only the System Agent voltage to override.

It was just renamed to VDDQ or whatever Asus dares to call it these days. Looking to tune this voltage called VDDQ TX.



For 3800+ i need 1.25V+ there.

EDIT: did a run of PYPrime with my 12900K set to 4.7/4.7 and seems to be finishing in 7.37s

 

[coercitiv]

My experience with i7-12700K working with memory.
It can run DDR4-4000 Gear1 with 1.45 VCCSA. However, this configuration can only run auto timings. Any tightening of timings results in instability (not a limitation of memory kit). I have to drop down 3600 MT/s Gear1.
Quick comparison of performance in PYPrime, a benchmark that can easily show memory scaling. E cores disabled, P cores and ring fixed to 4.7 GHz.

This is my current config.



Dimms are dual ranked and they can do 3900Mhz /w same settings but I went back 100Mhz to save time on stability testing, my aim is to attempt 4000 again after another UEFI update. Then again time is in a very short supply lately, so I might just update UEFI and see if I can stay with the current config, happy as is anyway. For VCCSA I used 1.25V initially, now I'm at 1.2V. IRRC I treated VDDQ as IO and put that to 1.25V.

I suggest taking a peak at Buiildzoid's videos on early attempts on memory oc on Z690, that is if you haven't done that already. He tried both single rank and dual rank configs on Asus, Gigabyte and MSI boards. All have their quirks and (early firmware) limitations.

 

[igor_kavinski]

Regarding ST performance, the best I got from i5-12400 when I tested it, was a bit over 1600 in Geekbench 5. I asked my friend to disable HT and try GB5 again. He got 1743. So presumable that disabling HT will increase 1080P gaming performance?

 

[Indus]

I'm curious.. can a B660 board set a 12600k to 4.9 all core or only z690 boards can do that?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

What kind of CPU connectivity do Z690 boards offer; 16 PCIe lanes? Do they offer USB Hub CPU lanes?

 

[Markfw]

OK, nobody have a heart attack. I just bought a 12700k, even though I have no need for it, other than to play with and talk about intelligently since I own one. I could not resist the $313 deal from B&H. Now I have no motherboard yet, but I probably want to go with a DDR4 motherboard, and I can rob some from other machines that don't need 64 gig anymore with Rosetta essentially dead. So recommendations on an inexpensive motherboard are welcome. Also recommendations on the power setting. I am thinking 142/142, so I can compare directly with my 5950x's.

And being the owner of an Alder lake, no more comments on my bias. As I have always maintained, I have no bias other than who is the best value/performance.

 

[Justinbaileyman]

OK, nobody have a heart attack. I just bought a 12700k, even though I have no need for it, other than to play with and talk about intelligently since I own one. I could not resist the $313 deal from B&H. Now I have no motherboard yet, but I probably want to go with a DDR4 motherboard, and I can rob some from other machines that don't need 64 gig anymore with Rosetta essentially dead. So recommendations on an inexpensive motherboard are welcome. Also recommendations on the power setting. I am thinking 142/142, so I can compare directly with my 5950x's.

And being the owner of an Alder lake, no more comments on my bias. As I have always maintained, I have no bias other than who is the best value/performance.

I guess I am in the club now too and in the same boat you are Mark but its the other way around. I purchased a Z690 Aorus Master motherboard but have no CPU or Ram for it as of yet. Now I own both X570s Aorus Master and the Z690 Intel counter part.. I only purchased it because I had $125 worth of rewards points on Bestbuy.com which were getting ready to expire. I dont know If I should get a 12900k and just be happy or maybe get something like the 12400 and wait for Raptorlake top end CPU upgrade?

 

[Markfw]

I guess I am in the club now too and in the same boat you are Mark but its the other way around. I purchased a Z690 Aorus Master motherboard but have no CPU or Ram for it as of yet. Now I own both X570s Aorus Master and the Z690 Intel counter part.. I only purchased it because I had $125 worth of rewards points on Bestbuy.com which were getting ready to expire. I dont know If I should get a 12900k and just be happy or maybe get something like the 12400 and wait for Raptorlake top end CPU upgrade?

well, the only difference between the 12700k and the 12900k is 4 more E cores, which I am not really interested in. Also, the power settings on the 12900k and the price. With the deal I got, its almost twice the price for a 12900k and very little difference in performance. I recommend you NOT get the 12900k for these reasons. Waiting for raptorlake ? Well, thats your choice. So exactly what motherboard would you recommend for me ? @igor_kavinski Ideas ??

What about the ASUS Prime Z690M-Plus D4 LGA 1700 ?

 

[Justinbaileyman]

well, the only difference between the 12700k and the 12900k is 4 more E cores, which I am not really interested in. Also, the power settings on the 12900k and the price. With the deal I got, its almost twice the price for a 12900k and very little difference in performance. I recommend you NOT get the 12900k for these reasons. Waiting for raptorlake ? Well, thats your choice. So exactly what motherboard would you recommend for me ? @igor_kavinski Ideas ??

They should release a Non-E-Core Variant of the 12900K.. How much are you looking to spend for a motherboard?? How about Asus Z690 Prime its only $216 on newegg and its a DDR4 Board.. The Asrock Z690 Steel Legend is about $20 bucks more?? otherwise if you are looking to save a little you could go the B660 route??

 

[Markfw]

They should release a Non-E-Core Variant of the 12900K.. How much are you looking to spend for a motherboard?? How about Asus Z690 Prime its only $216 on newegg and its a DDR4 Board.. The Asrock Z690 Steel Legend is about $20 bucks more?? otherwise if you are looking to save a little you could go the B660 route??

The exact one I mentioned is ope box and $167 shipped.

 

[igor_kavinski]

@igor_kavinski Ideas ??

What about the ASUS Prime Z690M-Plus D4 LGA 1700 ?

https://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-Z690-AERO-DDR4-Motherboard/dp/B09L9DY4L1/

Features seem good for the price, especially the two Type-C ports. Most mobos have just one.

Give the CPU a nice home. You don't want it feeling unloved

Review: https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gigabyte-z690-aero-g-ddr4

 

[Justinbaileyman]

https://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-Z690-AERO-DDR4-Motherboard/dp/B09L9DY4L1/

Features seem good for the price, especially the two Type-C ports. Most mobos have just one.

Give the CPU a nice home. You don't want it feeling unloved

Review: https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gigabyte-z690-aero-g-ddr4

I dont think Mark likes Gigabyte though... That is why I suggested the Asus and Asrock boards..

 

[Justinbaileyman]

The exact one I mentioned is ope box and $167 shipped.

Be super careful buying open box anything from Newegg... I have been screwed over buying from them numerous times purchasing Open Boxed CPU's and Motherboards. They will send you a CPU or Mobo with bent pins and then when you try to return it or RMA it back to them they will refuse to take it by claiming you are the one that damaged the item.
Then to top it off, they wont send your damaged item back to you unless you pay them more money and that is if you are lucky that they are will to even let you have your item back at all..

 

[Tech Junky]

Asrock Z690 Steel Legend

I went with this one as a happy medium with pcie 5 and plenty of sata ports. It's performing well as a Linux server.

 

[igor_kavinski]

maybe get something like the 12400 and wait for Raptorlake top end CPU upgrade?

Better idea. Alder Lake was too rushed.

 

[Markfw]

https://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-Z690-AERO-DDR4-Motherboard/dp/B09L9DY4L1/

Features seem good for the price, especially the two Type-C ports. Most mobos have just one.

Give the CPU a nice home. You don't want it feeling unloved

Review: https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gigabyte-z690-aero-g-ddr4

Well, yes, gigabyte screwed me (on an Intel motherboard circa 2007) on an RMA, plus its $100 more than the one I mentioned. Also, this would be for DC work, and I could care less about type-c ports. I did spend the extra for a PCIE4 NVME drive, but I will be using the on-board video. The point of this box is to evaluate performance of the CPU, and how well it works vs 5900x in DC jobs. As far as newegg screwing me, I have never had a problem with an open box, but there is always a first. If they do, its the last I will ever buy from them. (like gigabyte and creative labs cheating on a rebate, so 2 companies that will never get a dime more from me) I have spent over $100,000 at newegg, and now Amazon is telling me I qualify for business pricing, due to how much I spend there.

Anyway, I am looking for other good mobos, but I went with Z690 for the best chipset and upgrade-ability to Raptorlake.

Edit: I saw the DDR5 speed mentioned. I have some DDR4 4000, I might take that out from one of my 5950x's and try that, its only running at 3200 now to match the other memory in the box.

Edit 2. Most of my 5950x's are in sub $200 motherboards, but X570. So this would be an equal test as well. And my 3900x and 5900x.

 

[Justinbaileyman]

What is like the max DDR5 speed I can get if filling up all 4 slots?? Or doesn't it matter because they will revert to a default speed??

 

[Markfw]

Question on socket 1200/1700 mounting compatability with older sockets. I have a prolima Megahalems cpu cooler that fits Intel Socket 775, 1156, 1366 and 2011.

Any chance that will work here ? the motherboard says it has holes for socket 1200 and 1700.