Intel is Preparing "F" Models for Alder Lake Processors Without Integrated Graphics

[AleksandarK]

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.


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[Dammeron]

1 year ago I'd rather buy a CPU without integrated graphics, but after everything that happened since RTX 3xxx premiere, I wish Ryzen 9 had a GPU.

 

[ARF]

Options without integrated graphics are good and welcome.

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.

 

[mtcn77]

Meanwhile AMD is integrating onboard graphics with every Ryzen 6 to be sold.

 

[ARF]

Meanwhile AMD is integrating onboard graphics with every Ryzen 6 to be sold.

There are a solution to every problem. In this case - Don't buy Ryzen with integrated graphics.

 

[medi01]

What portion of CPU core with IGPU is normally occupied by GPU? Aren't they rather large (and hence should be way more expensive to produce)

 

[mtcn77]

There are a solution to every problem. In this case - Don't buy Ryzen with integrated graphics.

Personally, the only differentiating factor to me is a good turbo 'near voltage threshold' operation. I honestly hate personal overclocking when the chip could do it so much better for me. Intel is +1 on this one, but they don't always run cool and that leaves me saying they should have options for silence optimisation folk like me to run the chips without "Pb" turbo states, just with P states.

What portion of CPU core with IGPU is normally occupied by GPU? Aren't they rather large (and hence should be way more expensive to produce)

Yes, that is the kicker. Although MCM will enable discretization.

 

[ZoneDymo]

You would be a loser to use an enthusiast grade processor with such a jerk of a graphics performance.

what an odd statement

 

[mtcn77]

what an odd statement

Some people act like they can boot a headless client terminal.

 

[Dammeron]

Options without integrated graphics are good and welcome.

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.

As I said - 1 year ago I'd be fine with that. However now I cannot build a new PC cause of lack of GPUs at normal prices. Wouldn't be a problem if 5900x had an integrated one. Don't wanna buy 5700G cause of worse performance...

 

[Tardian]

To AMD enthusiasts, all Intel chips are "F" models.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

As I said - 1 year ago I'd be fine with that. However now I cannot build a new PC cause of lack of GPUs at normal prices. Wouldn't be a problem if 5900x had an integrated one. Don't wanna buy 5700G cause of worse performance...

Plenty of GT 1030s out there if you want that iGPU performance.

 

[phanbuey]

the gpu issues are nuts... at this rate it's just better to wait until the 4080 comes out and then buy a full system with alder lake.

Trying to buy stuff piecemeal is impossible

 

[WhitetailAni]

Ryzen 9 doesn't need integrated graphics.

Code compiling doesn't care about GPU performance, but it does care about CPU performance.
So yes, it does for some people.

 

[Tardian]

Plenty of GT 1030s out there if you want that iGPU performance.

Yes, but they cost $129 AUD. I own two. They are fine for browsing and HTPC. I am typing on a GTX 1050 PC with AMD 3600 CPU. I will buy a better GPU when sane pricing returns.

 

[Lycanwolfen]

Love my core i9 9900 KFC

 

[qubit]

I wouldn't bother with a CPU without an IGP nowadays.

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.

 

[Vayra86]

I wouldn't bother with a CPU without an IGP nowadays.

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.

This. Its also pretty cheap if you go by Intel F pricing compared to similar K models (or non K). The price diff is hardly worth it for such a loss of flexibility.

F is just Intel giving you even shittier chips for perhaps even a small markup if you consider they mass produce with IGP

 

[Zareek]

My only problem with the Intel "F" series is there isn't much of a price difference. If you are getting a chip with less features enabled, you should get a better price break! I don't care if you never use it. Maybe part of that is the market tends to cancel the suggested price difference out. I think Intel's suggested price difference is about $25 more for an i9-11900K vs an i9-11900KF. As an example, right now, Newegg is offering them for the same exact price.

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.

 

[yotano211]

1 year ago I'd rather buy a CPU without integrated graphics, but after everything that happened since RTX 3xxx premiere, I wish Ryzen 9 had a GPU.

The ryzen 9 does have a gpu, but only on laptops.

 

[newtekie1]

You would be a loser to use an enthusiast grade processor with such a jerk of a graphics performance.

Yeah, because only gamers have a use for high performance processors, right?

What portion of CPU core with IGPU is normally occupied by GPU? Aren't they rather large (and hence should be way more expensive to produce)

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.

 

[Dammeron]

The ryzen 9 does have a gpu, but only on laptops.

Oh, thanks, let me buy a laptop, put it in my PC case and hard-wire it to the motherboard...

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.

 

[yotano211]

Oh, thanks, let me buy a laptop, put it in my PC case and hard-wire it to the motherboard...

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.

Aliexpress, might have what you need.