Intel 11th Gen vs 12th Gen: Which One to Buy?
The introduction of 12th gen Intel processors has made the world of computer technology more interesting. Until 12th gen processors, Intel had been lagging behind AMD processors but managed to take the lead over its competitor AMD. 11th gen processors are good overall, provide excellent performance, and don’t cost a lot. The launch of 12th gen processors has reduced the cost of 11th-gen processors, making them best budget processor for you and a worthwhile purchase for your pocket.
Moreover, most laptops still use 11th gen processors, which seem to have provide decent performance in laptops that is why 11th gen can be found used by top laptop brands in India. But, these are just subjective comparison and doesn’t paint a picture of telling which one is superior. In this article, we will compare both of them and understand the difference between 11th gen and 12th gen processors.
Intel 11th Gen Processors
The 11th Gen processor, called Rocket Lake, is 10nm SuperFin Technology and based on a transformative new core and graphics architecture. 11th gen Intel Core processors are designed to make it faster and easier to do any task. Acceleration with AI-assisted technology, Intel Xe graphics, and best-of-class networking combine to boost the performance you feel. The 11th gen processor is divided into five segments.
Like every other generation of Intel processors, there are four classes of Intel processors. i3, i5, i7, and i9. While i3 processors are more entry-level processors, i9 processors are the top-end processors for heavy tasks. The number of cores also increases with each class. Each class has different families of processors with different use cases and processing power.
List of 11th Gen Intel Processors for Desktops
| Core i9 | Core i7 | Core i5 | Core i3 |
| Core i9 – 11900K | Core i7-11700F | Core i5-11400F | – |
| Core i9 – 1100KF | Core i7-11700 | Core i5-11400 | |
| Core i9 – 11900F | Core i7-11700KF | Core i5-11600 | |
| Core i9 – 11900 | Core i7011700K | Core i5-11600K | |
| Core i5 – 11600KF | |||
| Core i5 – 11500 |
List of 11th Gen Intel Processors in Laptops
| Core™ i9-11900H | Core i7-11600H | Core i5-11320H | Core i3-11100HE |
| Core™ i9-11980HK | Core i7-11390H | Core i5-1155G7 | Core i3-1125G4 |
| Core™ i9-11950H | Core i7-1195G7 | Core i5-1155G7 | Core i3-1125G4 |
| Core i7-1195G7 | Core i5-11260H | Core i3-1115G4E | |
| Core i7-11800H | Core i5-11400H | Core i3-1120G4 | |
| Core i7-11850H | Core i5-11500H | Core i3-1115G4 | |
| Core i7-1180G7 | Core i5-1145G7 | Core i3-1110G4 | |
| Core i7-11375H | Core i5-1140G7 | Core i3-1115G4 | |
| Core i7-11370H | Core i5-11300H | ||
| Core i7-1165G7 | Core i5-1135G7 | ||
| Core i7-1160G7 | Core i5-1135G7 | ||
| Core i7-1185G7 | Core i5-1130G7 | ||
| Core i7-1165G7 |
Features of Intel 11th Gen Processors
The Intel 11th Gen core processor is designed for high-end performance in gaming and entertainment. You will find this processor in premium laptops using Windows 11 or Linux.
Innovative architecture: The new core and architecture in graphics, AI-based intelligent performance, and 11th-generated Intel Core wireless and wired connectivity boost laptop and desktop performance to new heights in an evergreen harmony.
Intel Iris Xe graphics: The graphic architecture of Intel Iris Xe allows exceptionally rich and fun experiences, like 4K HDR and 1080p for gaming on laptops and desktops which is why . With Iris Xe, the graphics performance will improve in thin and light laptops which doesn’t use discrete graphics.
Artificial intelligence: Advanced, integrated artificial intelligence (AI) brings new capabilities and works with everyday applications to enhance task flow and speed, making things easier.
Boosted Connectivity: Intel Wi-Fi6/6E (Gig+) offers fast speeds of almost 3X for outstanding wireless activities. Intel 11th gen also introduced Thunderbolt 4, which offers an individual, universal port for loading and accessory connections.
Intel 12th Gen Processors
The 12th Gen processor, code name Alder Lake, is based on Intel 7nm Technology and is based on a new hybrid x86 architecture. The biggest change in the Intel 12th gen processors lineup is using Performance Cores and Efficient Cores.
The Efficient Cores are more power-efficient and do not support multi-threaded functions. This means that Efficient Cores will have 1 thread, whereas the Performance Core will have 2 threads.This improves the power efficiency while simultaneously improving the performance. The use of this architecture will improve performance across the board, whether it is for gaming, creative or professional workloads all these advantages of intel 12th gen processor makes it appealing for engineering students laptop buyers and video editing laptop buyers who intend to buy new laptops.
Like all the previous Intel generations, there are 4 classes of Intel processors – i3, i5, i7, and i9. Intel has brought back desktop processors for i3, which the 11th gen didn’t have. 12th i3 processors will have 4P cores; i5 will have 10 (6P + 4E) cores or either 6 (6P) cores. The i7 will have 12 (8P + 4E) cores, and the i9 will have 16 (8P + 8E) cores. It also introduces a new lineup of laptop processors, removing confusion with nomenclature.
List of 12th Gen Intel Processors for Desktops
| Core i9 | Core i7 | Core i5 | Core i3 |
| Core i9 – 12900K | Core i7-12700F | Core i5-12400F | Core i3-12300 |
| Core i9 – 12900KF | Core i7-12700 | Core i5-12400 | Core i3-12100 |
| Core i9 – 12900F | Core i7-12700KF | Core i5-12600 | Core i3-12100F |
| Core i9 – 12900 | Core i7-12700K | Core i5-12600K | |
| Core i9 – 12900KS | Core i5 – 12600KF | ||
| Core i5 – 12500 |
List of 12th Gen Intel Processors in Laptops
| Core i9 | Core i7 | Core i5 | Core i3 |
| Core i9-12900H | Core i7-12650H | Core i5-12600HX | Core i3-1210U |
| Core i9-12900HK | Core i7-12650HX | Core i5-12450HX | Core i3-1215U |
| Core i9-12950HX | Core i7-12850H | Core i5-1250P | Core i3-1215U |
| Core i9-12900HX | Core i7-12850HX | Core i5-1245U | Core i3-1220P |
| Core i7-12800H | Core i5-1235U | ||
| Core i7-12800HX | Core i5-1235U | ||
| Core i7 – 12700H | Core i5-1240U | ||
| Core i7-1260U | Core i5-1230U | ||
| Core i7-1250U | Core i5-1240P | ||
| Core i7-1255U | Core i5-12500H | ||
| Core i7-1265U | Core i5-12450H | ||
| Core i7-1280P | Core i5-12600H | ||
| Core i7-1260P | |||
| Core i7-1270P |
Features of Intel 12th Gen Processors
The Intel 12th Gen core processors have taken the Intel processor to the next step with all-new architecture, DDR5 support, and improved efficiency. Even though they support DDR5, it also has support for DDR4 to cut the overall cost, whether it is for laptops or desktops.
Performance Hybrid Architecture: Intel 12th gen uses performance hybrid architecture, combining the Performance-cores (P-cores) and Efficient-cores (E-Cores) to deliver balanced single-thread and multi-threaded performance whether for gaming, creative or professional workloads.
Intel Thread Director: With the introduction of hybrid architecture, Intel Thread Director optimizes various workloads by guiding the Operating System scheduler to distribute workloads to the optimal cores. This is mainly done to make the whole processor much more efficient, draw optimal power and improve battery life (in laptops).
PCIe 5.0 up to 16 Lanes: Intel 12th gen processors offers readiness for up to 32 GT/s for faster access to the discrete graphics, storage, and peripheral devices with up to 16 PCI Express 5.0 lanes. It also offers up to 16 GT/s with up to 4 PCI Express 4.0 lanes.
Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s3: For the first time, Intel will support DDR5 memory (RAM) with up to memory speeds of 4800MHz.
11th Gen vs 12th Gen: Comparison
| 11th Gen Processor | 12th Gen Processor |
| 11nm Technology process | 7nm Intel Technology process |
| Based on an improved Core architecture | Uses completely new architecture with Hybrid Performance + Efficient Cores |
| Supports up to DDR4 3200MHz | Supports up to DDR5 4800MHz and also DDR4 3200MHz |
| Supports up to 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes | Supports up to 16 PCIe 5.0 lanes and 4 lanes PCIe 4.0 |
| Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Thunderbolt 4 | Thunderbolt 4 |
Why Choose 11th Gen Processor?
11th Gen processors are still very popular in laptops, and even the new laptops use 11th gen processors. However, this is different for desktop processors.11th gen processors are weaker in comparison to the 12th gen processors. Although motherboards supporting DDR5 memory and DDR5 RAM are expensive right now and for PC builders, opting for 11th gen processors will make more sense from the point of cost.
The 11th gen processor is really good overall but has been taken over by the 12th gen processor in terms of performance. Although from the cost perspective, if you are looking for a cost-effective laptop or PC, 11th gen processors make an ideal choice.
Why Choose 12th Gen Processor?
12th gen processors have seen a massive improvement in performance compared to the 11th gen processor. If you want a processor that is the best in performance and wants no compromises, 12th gen processor is the way to go.
The support of DDR5 memory and PCIe lanes guarantees longer future support for newer hardware. If you are someone who always looks out for future-proofing your hardware, using 12th gen Intel processor is an ideal option. Overall, 12th gen Intel processors are great in performance, with the only downside of the associated higher cost of adapting to DDR5.
Verdict
Taking every aspect into consideration, the 12th gen processor is a winner. It is faster, offers more processors, and has significantly improved laptop processors while keeping the cost of processors relatively the same. Even the disadvantage of the 12th gen processor, which increases the cost if you want DDR5, is mitigated by the fact that it also supports DDR4 memory. Essentially, making it every bit better than 11th gen processors.
