Friday, August 27th 2021
Intel is Preparing "F" Models for Alder Lake Processors Without Integrated Graphics
Intel's upcoming Alder Lake processor family is set to bring a mixture of big and little cores, combined into one package designed for the hybrid way of computing. Alongside the CPU cores, Intel is also etching integrated graphics into the Alder Lake silicon. However, according to Komachi (@KOMACHI_ENSAKA), there will be Alder Lake SKUs that don't feature a working integrated GPU. Just like we witnessed Intel produce "F" models for its past few generations of Core processors, we could see a re-appearance of the F SKUs with Alder Lake as well. In the leaked listing, Komachi notes the appearance of Intel Core i5-12600KF, Core i7-12700KF, and Core i9-12900KF.
All of the listed models are overclockable SKUs, just with their integrated graphics disabled. Just like the previous generation, Intel decided to introduce this SKU, giving customers a few benefits with the non-functional iGPU. As there is no GPU to produce heat, overclocking efforts could be much better on the "F" SKUs. In addition to that, these SKUs could be a bit cheaper compared to the regular models, saving the buyers some spare cash if they are going to purchase a 3rd party dedicated GPU anyway.
Source:
Komachi (Twitter)
All of the listed models are overclockable SKUs, just with their integrated graphics disabled. Just like the previous generation, Intel decided to introduce this SKU, giving customers a few benefits with the non-functional iGPU. As there is no GPU to produce heat, overclocking efforts could be much better on the "F" SKUs. In addition to that, these SKUs could be a bit cheaper compared to the regular models, saving the buyers some spare cash if they are going to purchase a 3rd party dedicated GPU anyway.
22 Comments on Intel is Preparing "F" Models for Alder Lake Processors Without Integrated Graphics
Ryzen 9 doesn't need integrated graphics.
You would be a loser to use an enthusiast grade processor with such a jerk of a graphics performance.
Trying to buy stuff piecemeal is impossible
So yes, it does for some people.
They're very useful for when first building the PC and for general troubleshooting.
For someone with basic needs, they're fine too, no graphics card needed.
Hardly worth the meagre price reduction of not having it.
F is just Intel giving you even shittier chips for perhaps even a small markup if you consider they mass produce with IGP
A few weeks ago, I wished my Ryzen 7 3800X had an IGP. l was troubleshooting my motherboard. Inserting and removing my honking Vega 64 card half a dozen times, disconnecting and reconnecting the PCIe 8 pins. Scavenging another graphics card from an old PC to rule that out. Having an IGP would have saved me some time and hassle making sure it was my motherboard that died and not something else.
That is the die shot of the 9900K. The blue area is the iGPU, the orange areas in the middle are the 8 CPU Cores. So, yes the iGPU takes up a rather large portion of the die.
However, every die they produce will have an iGPU, so it isn't any cheaper for them to produce the F chips. The F chips will just have that area permanently disabled, likely because there is a flaw somewhere in it. And with the iGPU taking up that much space on the die, there are probably plenty of chips that end up with a flaw in the iGPU.
iGPUs aren't just for basic usage/work. Imagine if Your GPU breaks down - either wait weeks for replacement (if the warranty even works in this case) without a working PC, or pay 2x the price for a new GPU (and 1,5-1,7x for a used one)... Integrated GPU at least lets You still maintain usability until You get Your hands on a card.