Today marks the simultaneous launch of three XPC cubes on the market on the European continent. The "XPC" series from the Taiwanese Mini-PC manufacturer has been impressing users since 2001 with its compact design and wide range of possible applications. The SH570R6, SH570R6 Plus and SH570R8 models are based on the Intel H570 chipset, which is suitable for Intel Core processors of the 11th generation (Rocket Lake) and 10th generation (Comet Lake). Shuttle states that the current top-performing model is the Intel Core i9-11900K with 125 Watt TDP, 8 cores, 16 threads, 16 MB cache and a turbo frequency of 5.3 GHz.

To match the comprehensive processor support, up to 128 GB of RAM, spread across four slots, can be installed. There are also very few upper limits when it comes to suitable mass storage devices. Fast NVMe SSDs can be fitted in the M.2-2280 slot and, thanks to the four SATA ports, so can the corresponding number of hard drives or SSDs. The R6 chassis provides space for two 3.5" data carriers (one internal, one external) and a 5.25" drive; the R8 model, by contrast, can be fitted with four internal 3.5" data carriers - with a corresponding adapter 2.5" formats are of course also suitable.

According to some testing performed by the team behind RPCS3, a free and open-source emulation software for Sony's PlayStation 3, Intel's Alder Lake processors are enjoying a hefty performance boost when E-Cores is disabled. First of all, the Alder Lake processors feature a hybrid configuration with high-performance P-cores and low-power E-cores. The P-cores are based on Golden Cove architecture and can execute AVX-512 instructions with ease. However, the AVX-512 boost is only applicable when E-cores are disabled as software looks at the whole package. Officially, Alder Lake processors don't support AVX-512, as the processor's little E-cores cannot execute AVX-512 instruction.

Thanks to the team behind the RPCS3 emulator, we have some information and tests that suggest that turning E-cores off gives a performance boost to the emulation speed and game FPS. With E-Cores disabled, and only P-cores left, the processor can execute AVX-512 and gets a higher ring ratio. This means that latency in the ring bus is presumably lower. The team benchmarked Intel Core i9-12900K, and Core i9-11900K processors clocked at 5.2 GHz for tests. The Alder Lake chip had disabled E-cores. In God of War: Ascension, the Rocket Lake processor produced 68 FPS, while Alder Lake produced 78 FPS, representing around 15% improvement.

It's not every day that a software company that specializes in benchmarking software decides to compile the performance data of unreleased products found in their online database, but this is what SiSoftware just did for the Intel Core i9-12900K. So far, it's a limited set of tests that have been run on the CPU and what we're looking at here is a set of task specific benchmarks. SiSoftware doesn't provide any system details, so take these numbers for what they are.

The benchmarks consist of three categories, Vector SIMD Native, Cryptographic Native and Financial Analysis Native. Not all tests have been run on the Core i9-12900K and SiSoftware themselves admit that they don't have enough data points to draw any final conclusions. Unlike other supposedly leaked benchmark figures, the Core i9-12900K doesn't look like a clear winner here, as it barely beats the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X in some tests, while it's beaten by it and even the Core i9-11900K in other tests. It should be noted that the Core i9-11900K does use AVX512 where supported which gives it a performance advantage to the other CPUs in some tests. We'll let you make up your own mind here, but one thing is certain, we're going to have to wait for proper reviews before the race is over and a winner is crowned.

Update: As the original article was taken down and there were some useful references in it, you can find a screen grab of it here.

We now have preliminary benchmarks for the unreleased NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon NUC in 3DMark. We have already seen various leaks of the upcoming device detailing the available configurations and options. The NUC 11 Extreme will be offered with a choice of four processors with the highest being the upcoming Intel Core i9-11900KB which is the star of today's benchmarks. The i9-11900KB equipped NUC was paired with a desktop RTX 3060 and was put through its paces in the Fire Strike and Time Spy 3DMark benchmarks. The i9-11900KB is a specialty processor designed for use in NUC products with the new add-in card form factor and is largely comparable to the desktop i9-11900.

The Intel Core i9-11900KB is an 8 core 16 thread mobile processor with a base clock of 3.3 GHz, a boost clock of 4.9 GHz and a thermal velocity boost of 5.3 GHz. The chip features 24 MB of L3 cache and comes with a configurable TDP of 55 W/65 W. The base clock is higher than the 2.5 GHz found on the desktop i9-11900 while the boost clock is 300 MHz less and the thermal velocity boost is 100 MHz higher. The Intel Core i9-11900KB averages 93% - 101% of the performance of the i9-11900 which is to be expected considering the clock speeds.

The EUROCOM Sky Z7 R2 has unmatched levels of upgradeability through the Mobile Supercomputer's modular slots, allowing the safe removal and replacement of important hardware components such as the laptop's CPU, GPU, Memory, Storage, LCD, and more. Having slots or sockets allows the Sky Z7 R2 to customized, upgraded and modified with compatible parts- giving this Eurocom Mobile Supercomputer the ability to run the most demanding applications and perform high level tasks for a very long time. As newer and improved technologies emerge within the same chipset, the EUROCOM Sky Z7 R2's hardware components such as the CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, LCD, to name a few, can all be upgraded and replaced relatively easy in order to acquire more power as desired. Having modular components greatly increases the laptop's lifespan for many years and prevents the cycle of having to buy new laptops every few years, which can be the case with most laptops that have non-upgradeable components.

Eurocom's Sky Z7 R2 is one of the few laptops that utilizes modular GPU technology based on the MXM 3.1 version 2.0 socket technology. This means the Mobile Supercomputer's high performance GPU can be replaced at any time as long as it is compatible in the chipset, allowing the EUROCOM Sky Z7 R2 to perform at an extremely high level throughout the duration of its long lifespan. This Mobile Supercomputer can be configured up to the GeForce RTX 3080 which delivers twice the performance as its previous generation counterpart (GeForce RTX 2080). The EUROCOM Sky Z7 R2 offers seamless and stutter-free 4K gaming at 60 FPS, as well as 8K video editing, rendering and gaming.

Intel is likely preparing to launch its 10 nm "Tiger Lake" processor on the desktop platform. momomo_us discovered the existence of at least four new processor SKUs in Intel's ARK pages. At least one of these is marked as a desktop chip. What isn't clear, is whether these are Socket LGA1200 chips, like "Rocket Lake-S," or whether these are FC-BGA chips that have been adapted for specific desktop use-cases, such as NUCs. At the heart of these chips is the new 10 nm "Tiger Lake" 8-core/16-thread silicon, which packs 8 "Willow Cove" CPU cores, 24 MB of shared L3 cache, and a Gen12 Xe LP iGPU that has 32 EUs.

The common theme with the processor model numbering with these SKUs is the brand extension "B," next to model numbers we commonly associate with "Rocket Lake-S" SKUs. Another commonality is TDP. All four SKUs are marked as 65-Watt chips, including the part that has an unlocked multiplier. The lineup is led by the Core i9-11900KB, an 8-core/16-thread chip with Thermal Velocity Boost frequency of up to 5.30 GHz, and base frequency of 3.30 GHz. The Core i7-11700B lacks an unlocked multiplier, but interestingly features TVB, and retains the core-count and cache amount of the i9-11900KB. It is clocked at speeds of up to 5.30 GHz. The Core i5-11500B is a 6-core/12-thread part, with 12 MB of L3 cache, and the same 5.30 GHz boost, set via TVB. The Core i3-11100B is a 4-core/8-thread part with 8 MB L3 cache, and is likely based on the 4-core "Tiger Lake" die, with its iGPU cut down. The clocks remain the same. It remains to be seen how Intel markets these parts.

Intel today announced the 11th generation Core "Tiger Lake-H" mobile processors for notebooks of conventional thickness, gaming notebooks, and mobile workstations. This is the first scale-up of the "Tiger Lake" microarchitecture, with the introduction of a brand new die that has up to 8 "Willow Cove" CPU cores. These processors typically come with TDP of 35-45 W, but the flagship part ships with TDP as high as 65 W. Unlike "Rocket Lake," this chip is built on Intel's latest 10 nm SuperFin silicon fabrication process. With it, Intel is announcing ten processor SKUs—five each for the consumer and commercial notebook market segments. These span across the Core i9, Core i7, and Core i5 brand extensions.

The 10 nm "Tiger Lake-H" silicon measures roughly 190 mm², and has several changes compared to the 4-core "Tiger Lake-U" silicon the company debuted the 11th Gen with. The biggest change is the CPU core count of 8. This lets it not only achieve parity with AMD in mobile CPU core counts, but also purportedly beat it on the back of a higher IPC. Each of these 8 "Willow Cove" cores has 1.25 MB of dedicated L2 cache, and share 24 MB of L3 cache. You get the same "Willow Cove" ISA as the "Tiger Lake-U," including AVX-512 and DLBoost. Next up, the chip features an integrated graphics based on the Gen12 Xe LP graphics architecture, only that the execution units have reduced to just 32 on this silicon, compared to 96 on the 4-core Tiger Lake-U. The new chip enjoys a bigger power budget to run the iGPU at higher clock speeds. There is also a 20-lane PCI-Express Gen 4.0 interface, and a dual-channel DDR4 memory controller.

GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd, a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, today presented two gaming systems of Intel Z590 platform with AORUS MODEL X and mini system AORUS MODEL S, which adopt the top-notch components and materials for extreme performance. Enhanced by the strict verification and leading technology, GIGABYTE provides the PC system of premium performance with optimized heat dissipation and acoustic control. The system maintains cool and quiet even under the overclocking, which balance the high performance and low temperature to keep the system acoustic under 40dB without throttling. Furthermore, the three-year warranty of full system offers reassuring and comprehensive service for users.

"When tackling the uplift of PC performance, multi-core, high frequency, and copious storage become a standard to the premium PC platform, as well as how to make the best components matrix to provide the optimized performance with reliability turns into more inevitable." indicated by Eddie Lin, Vice President of the GIGABYTE Channel Solutions. "The new AORUS system is well-tempered by multiple verification and tuning of GIGABYTE's R&D team, which provide a perfect match of cool, quiet, and powerful performance with optimized compatibility, Expandability, and three-year warranty of whole system.

Colorful Technology Company Limited, a professional manufacturer of graphics cards, motherboards, all-in-one gaming and multimedia solutions, and high-performance storage, proudly presents the iGame M600 Mirage - the brand's latest gaming PC featuring the latest 11th generation Intel Core processors and the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-Series graphics cards. It comes with flexible configuration options to cater to different types of gamers from casual gamers to demanding eSports professionals.

The COLORFUL iGame M600 Mirage features vibrant RGB lighting across the entire chassis having more than 70 individually addressable RGB LEDs to create a Dynamik Light effect on top, in front, and at the bottom of the chassis. Unique to the iGame M600 Mirage, it uses a magnetic Power Key to turn on the gaming PC which gives it personalization and ownership. The iGame M600 Mirage comes in a solid side panel and tempered glass side panel options and comes with a graphics card bracket to support heavy high-performance GPUs.

The EUROCOM Sky Z7 R2, based on the Intel Z590 Express chipset, features the most powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs available today (up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080). This Mobile Supercomputer is available with choice of desktop-level 11th generation, Tiger Lake, Intel CPUs (up to i9-11900K), up to 128 GB DDR4 memory and up to a whopping 32 terabytes of the fastest NVMe storage available today (PCIe 4.0 is supported). The EUROCOM Sky Z7 R2 features high-speed Thunderbolt 4 technology along with a multitude of I/O ports, unmatched security, as well as award-winning network detection and prioritization via Killer E3000, with speeds up 2.5 Gbps.

This EUROCOM Mobile Supercomputer is specifically designed with fully-upgradeable components featuring upgradeable, non-MaxQ GPU (via MXM 3.1 V 2.0 technology) and desktop level CPU (via LGA1200 socket), with easy-to-access and fully-upgradeable internal hardware, battery and external power.

HyperX, the gaming division of Kingston Technology Company, Inc. and brand leader in gaming and esports, today announced that HyperX Predator DDR4 memory was used to set a new overclocking world record for the fastest DDR4 memory frequency at 7200 MHz. The world record for highest frequency was set by the MSI OC Team in Taiwan using a HyperX 4600 MHz Predator DDR4 8G module (part number: HX446C19PB3K2/16) on an MSI MEG Z590 UNIFY-X motherboard using an 11th Gen Intel Core i9-11900KF @ 3.50 GHz CPU. The record breaking frequency is posted on HWBOT, the site for PC enthusiasts looking for news, tips and information on overclocking, benchmarks and competitions. The valid CPU-Z screenshot can be found here.

"HyperX is thrilled to be part of this breakthrough in DDR4 overclocking history, with HyperX Predator memory used to set two world records within the past month," said Kristy Ernt, DRAM business manager, HyperX. "Our HyperX engineers continue to focus on improving high-speed yields to get faster products in the hands of our customers and push previously unattainable performance records."

As a world leading gaming brand, MSI is the most trusted name in gaming and eSports. We stand by our principles of breakthroughs in design, the pursuit of excellence, and technological innovation. Integrating gamers' most coveted extreme performance, realistic visuals, authentic sound, precise control and smooth streaming functions into its gaming rigs, MSI frees gamers from tedious trial and error and pushes gaming performance beyond limits. The determination to surpass past achievements has made MSI a True Gaming brand with gaming spirit throughout the industry!

MSI announced a gaming desktop equipped with Intel 11th Gen Rocket Lake-S processor. The 11th generation Intel Core processor adopts Cypress Cove's new architecture, which changes hardware and software efficiency and improves their performance. This allows users to achieve the perfect balance between gaming and productivity. The graphics card comes with NVIDIA RTX 3090 specifications, allowing players to enjoy the most extreme gaming experience. MSI launched a total of five models this time, from the flagship Aegis Series to the eSport Gaming Infinite Series, as well as the compact-sized Trident Series, to meet the hardware needs of different players.

HyperX, the gaming division of Kingston Technology Company, Inc. and brand leader in gaming and esports, today announced that HyperX Predator DDR4 memory was used to set a new overclocking world record for the fastest DDR4 memory frequency at 7156 MHz. The world record for highest frequency was set by the MSI OC Team in Taiwan using a HyperX 4600 MHz Predator DDR4 8G module (part number: HX446C19PB3K2/16) on an MSI MEG Z590I UNIFY motherboard using a 11th Gen Intel Core i9-11900KF @ 3.50 GHz CPU. At the time of this release, the record breaking frequency is posted on HWBOT, the site for PC enthusiasts looking for news, tips and information on overclocking, benchmarks and competitions. The valid CPU-Z screenshot can be found here.

"We are extremely thrilled and humbled to be part of this exemplary DDR4 overclocking achievement," said Kristy Ernt, DRAM business manager, HyperX. "Our engineers work continuously to improve higher-speed memory yields to bring faster solutions by pushing boundaries that break performance records and bring best-in-class products to our gaming memory community."

Loaded with cutting-edge hardware and leading specs, the brand new GIGABYTE Z590 motherboards have made a strong impression of premium quality and bold style among the PC community. The GIGABYTE Z590 motherboards have achieved massive success since the launch, from dominating the overclocking world rankings to earning the world-renowned Red Dot design award, once again, affirming GIGABYTE's leadership in PC hardware!

Dedicated for extreme overclocking, Z590 AORUS TACHYON is a motherboard that was jointly designed by overclockers for overclockers. With this motherboard, GIGABYTE teamed up with world-class overclockers and managed to push the latest i9-11900K processor to a record-breaking 7314.41MHz. A new world record that proves yet again GIGABYTE motherboards have amazing overclocking capability and durability. Designed for PC enthusiasts, the flagship Z590 AORUS XTREME comes with a comprehensive package, featuring the highest 20-phase digital power delivery on the market, the highest memory frequency support, and a next-gen PCIe 4.0 ultra-fast data transfer, to deliver uncompromising performance in every aspect.

Intel Core i9-11900K processor, the flagship model from the 11th generation "Rocket Lake" CPU lineup, has been overclocked to more than 7 GHz by the "Rog-Fisher". Thanks to the report coming from VideoCardz, we have information that the top-end Rocket Lake processor is possibly a very good overclocker. Running at 7048 MHz, the CPU managed to achieve that frequency using "only" 1.873 V. There is no doubt that the system was being cooled by LN2, as such overclocks need it to remain stable, however, we don't have any data on that. The CPU was paired with the ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Apex motherboard, designed for extreme overclocking purposes.

It is important to note that the CPU didn't run any benchmarks, as it was just validated at that frequency by Valid x86. The sample was likely supplied by Intel, so it could be a cherry-picked model. For the official benchmark results of Rocket Lake processors, we have to wait until tomorrow (March 30th), when NDA lifts.

Excitingly, Intel's latest CPU the 11th Gen Intel Core Processors will arrive on PST time March 30th (CES time March 30th / TW time March 30th). These new processors feature higher performance as well as support PCIe 4.0 solution, and going with the latest MSI 500 Series motherboards, Intel's new processors will definitely present the best experience for both gamers and creators.

The 11th Gen Intel Core Processors include i9, i7 and i5 with K and non-K Series. With Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0, the Core i9-11900K frequency is up to 5.00 GHz and the Core i7-11700K frequency is 5.00 GHz. As for memory speed, DDR4 on new Intel platforms raises to 3200 MHz. It is conceivable that new Intel core processors have more stable and effective performance, and it is worth the wait.

The 11th Gen Intel Core S-series desktop processors (code-named "Rocket Lake-S") launched worldwide today, led by the flagship Intel Core i9-11900K. Reaching speeds of up to 5.30 GHz with Intel Thermal Velocity Boost, the Intel Core i9-11900K delivers even more performance to gamers and PC enthusiasts.

Engineered on the new Cypress Cove architecture, 11th Gen Intel Core S-series desktop processors are designed to transform hardware and software efficiency and increase raw gaming performance​. The new architecture brings up to 19% gen-over-gen instructions per cycle (IPC) improvement for the highest frequency cores and adds Intel UHD graphics featuring the Intel Xe graphics architecture for rich media and intelligent graphics capabilities. That matters because games and most applications continue to depend on high-frequency cores to drive high frame rates and low latency.

Intel is planning to debut its 11th Generation Core "Rocket Lake-S" desktop processor family with a fairly large selection of SKUs, according to leaked company slides shared by VideoCardz, which appear to be coming from the same source as an earlier report from today that talk about double-digit percent gaming performance gains over the previous generation. Just the Core i9 and Core i7 series add up to 10 SKUs between them. These include unlocked- and iGPU-enabled "K" SKUs, unlocked but iGPU-disabled "KF," locked but iGPU-enabled parts, and locked and iGPU-disabled "F" parts.

With "Rocket Lake-S," Intel appears to have hit a ceiling with the number of CPU cores it can cram onto a die alongside an iGPU, on the 75 mm x 75 mm LGA package, while retaining its 14 nm silicon fabrication node. Both the Core i9-11900 series and the Core i7-10700 series are 8-core/16-thread parts, with an identical amount of cache. They are differentiated on the basis of clock speeds as tabled below, and the lack of the Thermal Velocity Boost feature on the Core i7 parts. The Core i5 series "Rocket Lake-S" parts are reportedly 6-core/12-thread.

An alleged Intel marketing slide highlighting the gaming performance advances of the company's upcoming Core i9-11900K "Rocket Lake" processor was leaked to the web. The slide compares the i9-11900K to the previous generation i9-10900K "Comet Lake-S," showing that despite two fewer CPU cores, the new chip is able to post double-digit percent gaming performance gains. At 1080p resolution, which is relevant to CPU testing as it highlights bottlenecks at the CPU-level, the i9-11900K is claimed to gain over 13% in frame-rates with "Total War: Three Kingdoms," and a significant 14% with Microsoft Flight Simulator. "Gears 5" shows a 9% performance gain, while GRID 2019 is 8% faster.

The Core i9-11900K owes its gaming performance gains to the IPC increase (single-thread performance increase) from the new "Cypress Cove" CPU cores. The "Rocket Lake-S" silicon features up to 8 "Cypress Cove" cores, which are believed to be a back-port of the "Willow Cove" core to the 14 nm silicon fabrication node, albeit with modifications, such as lower L2 cache sizes. Intel is looking to restore PC gaming performance leadership with the 11th Gen Core desktop processor series. The chips are expected to launch later this month.

Intel claims that its upcoming 11th Gen Core "Rocket Lake-S" desktop processors offer up to 11% higher storage performance than competing AMD Ryzen 5000 processors, when using the CPU-attached M.2 NVMe slot. A performance slide released by Intel's Ryan Shrout shows a Samsung 980 PRO 1 TB PCI-Express 4.0 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD performance on a machine powered by a Core i9-11900K processor, compared to one powered by an AMD Ryzen 9 5950X. PCMark 10 Quick System Drive Benchmark is used to evaluate storage performance on both machines. On both machines a separate drive is used as the OS/boot drive, and the Samsung 980 PRO is used as a test drive, free from any OS role.

The backup page for the slide provides details of the system configurations used for both machines. What it doesn't mention, however, is whether on the AMD machine, the 980 PRO was installed on the CPU-attached M.2 NVMe slot, or one that's attached to the AMD X570 chipset. Unlike the Intel Z590, the AMD X570 puts out downstream PCI-Express 4.0, which motherboard designers can use to put out additional NVMe Gen 4 slots. On the Intel Z590 motherboard, the M.2 NVMe Gen 4 slot the drive was tested on is guaranteed to be the CPU-attached one, as the Z590 PCH puts out PCIe Gen 3 downstream lanes. A PCI-Express 4.0 x4 link is used as chipset bus on the AMD X570, offering comparable bandwidth to the DMI 3.0 x8 (PCI-Express 3.0 x8) employed on the Intel Z590. A drive capable of attaining 7 GB/s sequential transfers should be in a sub-optimal situation on a chipset-attached M.2 slot. It would be nice if Intel clears this up in an update to its backup.

Update 02:51 UTC: In response to a specific question on Twitter, on whether the drives were tested on CPU-attached M.2 slots on both platforms, Ryan Shrout stated that a PCI-Express AIC riser card was used on both platforms to ensure that the drives are CPU-attached. 11% is a significant storage performance uplift on offer.

Intel's upcoming flagship desktop processor, the Core i9-11900K, is expected to feature a fancy retail package, much like the original Core i9-9900K. VideoCardz just tweeted a teaser shot of what looks like an acrylic retail package of the chip, with its prominent i9 branding, in Intel's favorite shade of blue. Unlike the i9-10900K, which has a mostly paperboard box with a large acrylic window, the i9-11900K package appears to be entirely made of hard plastic, and an unknown geometric shape. We'll know a lot more as we creep toward the mid-March launch of these chips.

Update 10:18 UTC: Here it is, the i9-11900K retail package in all its glory. It's mostly a cuboid, but with numerous trapezoid shapes. The i9-11900KF, however, gets a basic paperboard box sans cooler, while the "locked" i9-11900 has a slightly larger paperboard box that has a boxed cooler.

A leaked marketing slide from MSI Japan confirmed specifications of three 11th Gen Core "Rocket Lake-S" desktop processors that gamers and enthusiasts have their eyes on—the flagship Core i9-11900K, the next-best Core i7-11700K, and the performance-segment Core i5-11600K. The slides confirm that both the i9-11900K and i7-11700K are 8-core/16-thread parts, while the i5-11600K is 6-core/12-thread. With the "Rocket Lake-S" die capping out at 8 cores, Intel's product managers have lesser wiggle room to segment the Core i7 part from the Core i9 flagship.

The i9-11900K comes with a base frequency of 3.50 GHz, Turbo Boost 2.0 frequency of 5.10 GHz, Turbo Boost Max 3.0 frequency of 5.20 GHz, and Thermal Velocity Boost frequency of 5.30 GHz. Its all-core boost frequency is 4.80 GHz. The i7-11700K, on the other hand, lacks TVB. It ticks at 3.60 GHz base, 4.90 GHz Turbo Boost 2.0, and 5.00 GHz Turbo Boost Max 3.0. The i5-11600K lacks Turbo Boost Max 3.0 and TVB, it does 3.90 GHz base, with 4.90 GHz Turbo Boost 2.0. The Core i9 and Core i7 parts are joined at the hip with not just identical core counts, but also the same amount of L3 cache, at 16 MB. The i5 comes with 12 MB. All three Unlocked "K" SKUs come with native support for DDR4-3200 memory frequency, and their TDP is rated at 125 W. Intel is expected to launch these processors by late-March, 2021.

Intel in its FY 2020 + Q4 2020 earnings release revealed two important development milestones from its two core businesses. As part of its Q4 2020 business highlights disclosures, the company revealed that it has commenced mass-production of its next-generation Xeon Scalable "Ice Lake-SP" enterprise processors. These chips implement the "Ice Lake" microarchitecture, with "Sunny Cove" CPU cores that offer higher IPC over "Cascade Lake," and are built on the company's 10 nm silicon fabrication node. Our older article details the 10 nm "Ice Lake-SP" silicon, where each die offers up to 28 cores, and enables Intel to build processors with up to 56 cores using two such dies on multi-chip modules.

Next up, the company states that it has "started shipping" its 11th Gen Core "Rocket Lake-S" desktop processors. "Shipping" in this context could even mean commencement of mass-production, and transfer of inventory down the supply chain, in the build up to a market availability date. At its digital keynote address on the sidelines of the 2021 International CES, Intel revealed many more details of "Rocket Lake-S," including its flagship Core i9-11900K 8-core processor, which it claims retakes the gaming performance lead that the company recently lost to AMD's Ryzen 5000 series. Multiple sources confirmed that these processors should be available only after mid-March, 2021.

Pricing for Intel's upcoming Rocket Lake-S series of desktop processors has recently been leaked by a Dutch computer store. The 11th Generation Intel Core i5, i7, and i9 processors will feature the new Comet Lake CPU architecture while the lower-end Intel Core i3, and Intel Pentium processors will retain the older Cypress Cove CPU architecture. The new Intel Core i9 processors have returned to an 8 core 16 thread design down from the 10 core 20 thread design found in 10th generation processors.

The Intel 11th Generation Core i9 series will be approximately 6.6% cheaper than their predecessors but with 2 fewer cores and 4 fewer threads. The other new processors all see price increases from their 10th generation versions with an average increase of 6.5%. The new Comet Lake CPU architecture is expected to bring significant IPC improvements which may allow them to regain the title of best gaming CPU.

Intel at a January 11, 2021 online media event (which we live-blogged here) revealed more information about its 11th Generation Core "Rocket Lake-S" desktop processor family. These chips succeed the 10th Gen Core "Comet Lake-S," and are built on the same Socket LGA1200 package, retaining backwards compatibility with Intel 400-series chipset motherboards with firmware updates; and native support with the upcoming Intel 500-series chipset motherboards. Intel in its media event confirmed that the top Core i9-11900K is an 8-core/16-thread processor, which will deliver the highest PC gaming performance possible when it comes out.

In its media event, Intel revealed a side-by-side comparison of the i9-11900K with a machine powered by the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12-core processor, where it's shown offering a mostly mid-single-digit-percentage performance lead over the AMD chip. In the "Metro Exodus" benchmark prominently highlighted in the Intel event, the i9-11900K is shown offering an average frame-rate of 156.54 FPS compared to 147.43 FPS of the 5900X (a 6.17% gain). VideoCardz tweeted a leaked Intel presentation slide with many more game test results where Intel compared the two chips. Intel's play with marketing "Rocket Lake-S" to gamers and PC enthusiasts will hence ride on the back of gaming performance leadership, and future-proofing against the new wave of productivity apps that leverage AI deep-learning, as "Rocket Lake-S" features DLBoost VNNI extensions that accelerate deep-learning neural-net building, training, and AI inference performance.