Intel today debuted the 12th Gen Core HX "Alder Lake" processors for high-end gaming notebooks and mobile workstations. These processors are designed to bring desktop-class performance to the mobile segment, and debut the "Alder Lake" C0 silicon in a mobile package. Until now, the fastest Core "Alder Lake" mobile processor was based on a silicon that physically had 6 performance cores (P-cores), and 8 efficiency cores (E-cores). The HX-series sees the desktop C0 silicon, with its 8 P-cores and 8 E-cores, and 30 MB of L3 cache, in the mobile form factor.

This also brings PCI-Express 5.0 x16 PEG connectivity for discrete graphics cards, 8-lane DMI 4.0 chipset bus, and a mobile variant of the Z690 chipset, which can put out two M.2 NVMe Gen 4 slots in addition to the one from the processor die. The additional PCIe budget should allow up to two discrete Thunderbolt 4 controllers. Memory support includes dual-channel (4 sub-channel) DDR5-4800, dual-channel DDR4-3200, and LPDDR4-4267. Certain models even have ECC memory support, targeted at mobile workstations. Intel is using the highest bins of the C0 die, coupled with some aggressive power-management, to achieve processor base power (PBP) of 55 W (10 W lower than the 65 W PBP of the desktop Core i9-12900). The maximum turbo power value for all SKUs is set at 154 W. All processor models in the Core HX series will come with memory overclocking support, some even with CPU overclocking support.The Core HX processor family includes seven processor models, these include two in the Core i9 series, three in the Core i7 series, and and two in the Core i5 series. The Core i9 HX series parts are characterized by 8P + 8E (8 performance cores + 8 efficiency cores) configuration, along with 30 MB of shared L3 cache. Two out of three models in the Core i7 HX series are 8P + 8E, but with 25 MB of shared L3 cache. One of the Core i7 models is 6P + 8E with 24 MB L3 cache. Of the two Core i5 models, one is 4P + 8E with 18 MB L3 cache, and the other is 4P + 4E. Since these parts are based on the C0 silicon, they come with the smaller version the Xe LP iGPU, with 32 execution units (EU).All models in the above product stack support memory overclocking; the i9-12900HX and i7-12800HX come with CPU overclocking support. One can take advantage of Intel using the same 55 W PBP and 157 W MTP. The Core i9-12950HX, i7-12850HX, and i5-12600HX, come with support for ECC memory as well as vPro, giving them serious mobile workstation chops.The i9-12900HX enjoys a significant 17% gain in single-threaded performance over the Core i9-11980HK in SPECinit_rate_base2017IC. One should also factor in the increased power limits, opening up better boost frequency bins; and a 64% multi-threaded performance gain. The company also claims an 81% performance gain in Blender 3.12 car demo; and 33% in CrossMark Performance. Various Autodesk apps show 12-28% performance gains.

Intel has scored more than 10 gaming notebook and mobile workstation design wins, with product launches expected this year (no launch date given).

The Intel Press Release follows
Today at Intel Vision 2022, Intel announced seven new mobile processors to the 12th Gen Intel Core mobile family. The 12th Gen Intel Core HX processors utilize desktop-caliber silicon in a mobile package - to deliver high levels of performance for professional workflows like CAD, animation and visual effects. The HX processors are unlocked out of the box and available in Core i5, Core i7 and Core i9 models.

"With the new core architecture and higher power limits of 12th Gen Intel Core HX processors, we're enabling content creators to tackle the most demanding work flows like never before - for example, executing 3D renders in the background while continuing to iterate on other 3D assets in the scene. No more waiting around for processor-intensive workloads to finish, you can stay in the flow. Gamers and content creators will also have access to high bandwidth platform technologies like PCIe Gen 5 with RAID support, and support for ECC memory to ensure high levels of system data integrity and reliability," said Chris Walker, Intel corporate vice president and general manager of Mobility Client Platforms.

Professionals and creators need more processing power and greater platform bandwidth to iterate content faster. This enables businesses and production agencies to better meet milestones and budgets of fast-paced working environments. The 12th Gen Intel Core HX processors enable the best mobile workstation platforms by providing 65 percent more performance in multithreaded workloads with more cores, more memory and more I/O while utilizing Intel Thread Director technology to leverage high-power Performance-cores and Efficient-cores so pros can create, program, render and work with maximum efficiency in the office, at home or on the go. In addition to being a commercial workhorse, 12th Gen Intel Core HX processors provide a gaming powerhouse platform that will give enthusiast gamers higher frame rates for the games they know and love.

The 12th Gen Intel Core HX processor family delivers real-world productivity, collaboration, content creation, gaming and entertainment in innovative mobile designs:

• Up to 16 cores (8 Performance-cores and 8 Efficient-cores) and 24 threads running at a processor base power of 55 W.
• Access to x16 PCIe Gen 5.0 via the processor and 4x4 PCIe Gen 4.0 from a dedicated platform controller hub (PCH) for increased bandwidth and faster data transfers.
• An industry-first unlocked and overclockable series of mobile processors.
• Memory support for up to 128GBs of DDR5/LPDDR5 (up to 4800 MHz/5200 MHz) and DDR4 (up to 3200 MHz/LPDDR4 4267 MHz) with Error Correcting Code (ECC) capability.
• Designs with Intel Wi-Fi 6/6E (Gig+)2 for improved connectivity and access to the new 6 GHz Spectrum.

More than 10 workstation and gaming designs powered by 12th Gen Intel Core HX processors are expected to be launched by major OEMs this year, including systems from Dell, HP, Lenovo and others.

The slide deck follows.