Any changes for gaming build?

[DarTon]

The inability of the E cores to (currently) do much, if anything, for gaming has some fairly obvious implications for gaming build recommendations.

First, given the only major architectural difference between the 12900K and 12700K is an extra 4 E cores, so there really is currently little or no value ever having the 12900K. It's rather like choosing a 5950X over a 5900X for gaming ... pointless. Only those doing productivity tasks should be buying the 12900K.

Second, we tend to look at the 12400F and 12600K as the two obvious i5 CPUs to recommend since the 12400F is the 6 core 5600X competitor and the 12600K is the 10-core 5800X competitor. This totally misses out the 12600. Since the E cores do so little for gamers, the 12600 is really just a 12600K with a slower clock and less onerous thermals. It really is a perfectly solid option for those that cannot stretch to the 12600K but have a bit more to spend than on the 12400F.

 

[SpyderTracks]

The inability of the E cores to (currently) do much, if anything, for gaming has some fairly obvious implications for gaming build recommendations.

First, given the only major architectural difference between the 12900K and 12700K is an extra 4 E cores, so there really is currently little or no value ever having the 12900K. It's rather like choosing a 5950X over a 5900X for gaming ... pointless. Only those doing productivity tasks should be buying the 12900K.

Second, we tend to look at the 12400F and 12600K as the two obvious i5 CPUs to recommend since the 12400F is the 6 core 5600X competitor and the 12600K is the 10-core 5800X competitor. This totally misses out the 12600. Since the E cores do so little for gamers, the 12600 is really just a 12600K with a slower clock and less onerous thermals. It really is a perfectly solid option for those that cannot stretch to the 12600K but have a bit more to spend than on the 12400F.

Agreed, the 12600 is really the best technically suited processor for gaming as has no e cores at all. IF it's purely a gaming system, as soon as we're factoring in almost any other use, then the 12700k and 12600k make a lot more sense.

The 12600 save around £65 from the 12600k currently and is only about £30 more than the 12400. The 12400f is still very appealing at £54 cheaper than the 12600. That really is a bargain chip for price vs performance.

 

[Salmon Fisher]

Which is why the 12400f is so good, no e cores. It's odd that so far the value / performance matrix certainly on the 11 and 12 series rests on the 400F. Chinny wonders 🤔

 

[B4zookaw]