Intel’s new "Rocket Lake" 11th Gen desktop CPUs represent an interesting twist in the company’s strategy. While the world eagerly awaits the arrival of Intel’s 10nm process, the company has instead brought "Sunny Cove" cores, previously seen in the 10th Gen "Ice Lake" laptop family, to the desktop market. This means that the 11th Gen desktop Core CPUs leverage a more modern architecture on the older 14nm manufacturing process – a bold maneuver, to say the least. This is a temporary solution, with native 10nm 12th Gen desktop "Alder Lake" CPUs already confirmed for a late 2021 launch. In the meantime, Intel is banking on the performance improvements brought by "Rocket Lake" to keep them competitive. This review delves into the intricacies of this unconventional approach, examining the specifications, features, and overall performance of the new line, specifically looking at the flagship Core i9-11900K and the mid-range Core i5-11600K. Let’s dive into the details.
Intel ‘Rocket Lake’ 11th Gen Core architecture and platform
Intel’s naming conventions have become a bit more convoluted with the latest generation. The 11th Gen Desktop Family, codenamed "Rocket Lake", utilizes the "Sunny Cove" core architecture, now rebranded as "Cypress Cove". This core architecture represents a significant departure from the past several years’ iterations. "Rocket Lake" CPUs integrate a few features that have already debuted in laptops, notably AI and neural network acceleration, a testament to the growing importance of these technologies.
Alongside these CPU cores, most "Rocket Lake" CPUs feature integrated "Intel Xe-LP graphics", familiar from the 11th Gen "Tiger Lake" laptop family. Only models ending with "-F" lack integrated graphics capabilities. While the integrated graphics are a welcome inclusion, Intel has scaled back the number of graphics execution units, making this feature less exciting. This is of course a non-issue for most high-end PC users who typically opt for discrete graphics cards, but a larger leap in integrated graphics performance would have been a welcome addition, particularly amidst the ongoing GPU shortage.
Although the 10th and 11th Gen desktop Core CPUs offer distinct architectural differences, "Rocket Lake" maintains compatibility with the majority of previous generation 400-series motherboards. Older CPUs will also work with new boards with 500-series chipsets. Intel, surprisingly, managed to implement its backported architecture to use the same socket as last year’s CPUs, but reaching the full potential of the platform requires both a new motherboard and CPU.
Platform-level enhancements include 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes, increased bandwidth between the CPU and platform controller, support for up to DDR4-3200 RAM, and native USB 3.2×2 (20Gbps). Motherboards can also be equipped with "Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E, and 2.5Gbit Ethernet. Intel has also extended the memory overclocking functionality to mid-range 500-series chipsets, removing the exclusive nature of this feature for the high-end Z590 chipsets.
Intel ‘Rocket Lake’ 11th Gen specifications and features
At launch, the "Rocket Lake" family only features Core i5, Core i7, and Core i9 models. The Core i3 and Pentium segment, for now, remains occupied with refreshed 10th Gen models. The lineup includes low-TDP models identified by the "-T" suffix, unlocked overclockable models denoted with "-K" suffix, and "-F" models that lack integrated graphics.
The Core i5 models all boast six cores with 12 threads, while Core i7 models consistently provide eight cores and 16 threads. The most surprising feature, though, is the lack of additional cores in the Core i9 models – they top out at eight cores, a potential marketing challenge for Intel. This move seems like a step back, considering the 10th Gen "Comet Lake" Core i9-10900K sported 10 cores, especially when AMD has been offering consumer CPUs with 12 and 16 cores for nearly two years.
Intel acknowledges this potential marketing hurdle, confessing that the previous generation flagship might outperform the new one in multi-threaded workloads. Nevertheless, the company emphasizes the overall performance gains achieved by "Rocket Lake", boasting a 19 percent increase in instructions per clock, along with new integrated graphics and platform upgrades. The reasons behind Intel’s decision to risk this perceived regression remain unclear, but it could be tied to die space, production costs, thermal and power management, boost frequency targets, or manufacturing efficiencies.
Despite having identical core counts, the Core i9 and Core i7 tiers are differentiated by several factors. Notably, Memory speed is a defining distinction. While all models support DDR4-3200 RAM, the Core i9 offers a 1:1 memory timing support, while the others are officially limited to DDR4-2933, or DDR4-3200 at a 2:1 ratio. The "Asus" ROG Maximus XIII Hero motherboard used for this review boasts support for overclocking up to DDR4-5333, suggesting this limitation to be more of a guideline.
Another differentiator is "Intel’s Thermal Velocity Boost" feature, exclusive to the Core i9 tier. This feature operates opportunistically, boosting clock speeds beyond even the "Turbo Boost" rating for short periods, given favorable power and thermal conditions.
This introduces a complex scenario with multiple frequency levels. The Core i9-11900K boasts a 3.5GHz base frequency, with Intel’s longstanding "Turbo Boost" feature allowing all eight cores to reach 4.7GHz or scaling down to two cores reaching 5.1GHz when necessary. "Turbo Boost Max 3.0" further allows two "favored cores", identified as the most efficient, to achieve 5.2GHz. "Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB)", pushes the boundaries, enabling one or two cores to reach 5.3GHz on-demand, provided the cooler keeps the CPU below a specific temperature threshold. And finally, "Intel’s Adaptive Boost Technology (ABT)" works in opposition to "TVB", pushing the remaining six cores to 5.1GHz, the two-core "Turbo Boost" limit, when it is deemed more efficient to have all cores operating at a slightly slower pace compared to two cores running at much faster speeds.
The complexity of these various boost technologies highlights the challenge in comparing CPUs based solely on clock speed. A single clock speed doesn’t accurately reflect performance differences between CPUs from varying tiers, generations, or manufacturers. Even multiple tests conducted under different conditions can yield different results. Factors like the motherboard, power supply, cooler, case, and ambient temperature significantly impact the frequency levels reached and their duration. Understanding these nuances is vital to accurately assess performance.
The Core i5-11600K, on the other hand, is considerably simpler. It has a 3.9GHz base speed and a 4.9GHz "Turbo Boost" speed. It does not feature "Turbo Boost Max 3.0", "TVB", or "ABT". Both tested CPUs share a 125W TDP rating and are sold without a stock cooler.
Asus ROG Maximus XIII Hero specifications and features
For those seeking the utmost in performance with a Core i9-11900K, an ultra-premium motherboard is a necessity. The Asus ROG Maximus XIII Hero is indeed a top-tier ATX gaming motherboard from Asus, sporting numerous features befitting its approximate price of Rs. 45,500. It is built on the Intel Z590 platform, specifically designed to unlock the incremental enhancements offered by "Rocket Lake" over "Comet Lake".
The notable features include high-end power circuitry with 14+2 stages and Japanese capacitors for enhanced stability; massive heatsinks covering power components, M.2 slots, and the chipset itself; dual Thunderbolt 4 ports alongside a USB 3.2×2 header; and, of course, aggressive styling with RGB LEDs. "Asus" claims support for memory overclocking up to DDR4-5333.
Visually, the motherboard exudes an expensive aesthetic with primarily black components and chunky, matte metal heatsinks that feel robust. RGB LED lighting is subtle, confined to two zones: heatsinks surrounding the CPU socket and the heat sink over the platform controller. The "Asus" ROG Maximus XIII Hero offers generous clearance around the CPU socket, accommodating even the largest air coolers, and includes headers for a variety of liquid cooling setups.
The board boasts three full-sized PCIe slots (only the first one supports a full 16 lanes) and an additional x1 slot. Remarkably, it manages to squeeze in four M.2 slots, all laying flat with thermal pads and heatsinks. However, this abundance of slots and six SATA ports come at a cost – they share bandwidth, preventing their simultaneous utilization. This is a consequence of Intel’s limitation imposed on the consumer CPU tier. "Rocket Lake" CPUs are necessary to benefit from PCIe 4.0 speeds, only affecting the first PCIe and M.2 slots. Certain slots will be disabled, and others will revert to PCIe 3.0 when utilizing a previous generation CPU.
The rear port cluster is incredibly dense, and the integrated IO shield streamlines the PC assembly process. On the left, conveniently located reset and BIOS update buttons allow for easy BIOS updating directly from a USB drive. It offers, two 2.5Gb Ethernet ports, two Wi-Fi antenna terminals, HDMI 2.0 video out, five gold-plated 3.5mm audio jacks plus optical S/PDIF output, two USB 2.0 ports, six USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports that double as DisplayPort 1.4 video output.
Audio is handled by a Realtek ALC4082 codec, featuring an ESS Sabre DAC for the front panel headphone connector. It also incorporates tri-band Wi-Fi 6E (802.11 ax/az) and Bluetooth 5.2, requiring the latest Windows 10 versions for optimal operation. The motherboard includes internal headers for one USB 3.2×2 Type-C port, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and four USB 2.0 ports.
Enthusiast-friendly features include a surface-mount power button and a programmable "Flexkey" button that defaults to resetting the PC but can be customized as an RGB lighting toggle or safe boot trigger. A two-digit alphanumeric code readout assists with diagnostics. The board also offers a plethora of RGB and ARGB LED headers to personalize the case’s aesthetics. The package includes Wi-Fi antennas, all necessary cables and screws, a bracket to alleviate the weight of large graphics cards, a detailed manual, a driver DVD, and some Asus ROG branded merchandise.
The graphical BIOS is user-friendly, offering a vast array of tweaking options. However, these options are well-labelled and accompanied by text descriptions for easy navigation. "Asus’ Armory Crate" software enables RGB lighting synchronization across supported "Asus" products and manages BIOS and driver updates. Meanwhile, AI Suite 3 provides Windows-based overclocking, fan control, and system monitoring capabilities.
The "Asus" ROG Maximus XIII Hero is a visually appealing high-end motherboard, loaded with nearly every feature an enthusiast desires. The physical layout is excellent, and the BIOS is highly intuitive. However, the value proposition must be carefully considered, as numerous other Z590 motherboards offer comparable features at significantly lower prices.
Intel Core i9-11900K and Core i5-11600K setup and performance
The open-air test bench used for this review consisted of a 2x16GB Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR4-3600 RAM kit, "Sapphire Nitro+ Radeon RX 590 graphics card", "WD Black (2018) 1TB PCIe SSD" and "1TB Samsung SSD 860 EVO SSD", "Corsair H150i Elite Capellix 360mm AIO liquid cooler", "Corsair RM850 power supply", and an "Asus" PB287Q monitor. All tests were run on Windows 10 20H2 with the latest patches and updates applied. Intel provided a BIOS update and graphics drivers, and all other drivers were the latest public releases at the time.
Setup and installation proved remarkably straightforward. The motherboard socket offered ample clearance, and the layout was convenient. However, the heatsinks featured sharp edges and corners that required careful handling. Setting up the "Corsair" H150i AIO cooler was the most time-consuming aspect, but the instructions provided were clear and comprehensive. Every screw and accessory, for both Intel and AMD CPUs, came neatly labeled and sorted in bags for easy identification and organization. The pump head, fan power, and fan RGB leads connected to a separate "iCue Commander Core" module, similar in size to a SATA SSD. It draws power from a SATA connector and requires one internal USB 2.0 header, effectively disabling two ports. Cable management might demand some creativity, but adhesive strips are provided to assist.
The Dominator Platinum RAM featured individually addressable RGB LEDs. Additional LEDs were present on the H150i Elite Capellix cooler’s pump head and the three 120mm fans. The Commander Core module offered extra connectors for case fans or other compatible products for RGB synchronization. "Corsair’s iCue" software now integrates seamlessly with "Asus" Aura Sync RGB framework, enabling unified management of multiple components and peripherals.
Due to lockdown restrictions during 2020, direct performance comparisons against last year’s 10th Gen Core i9-10900K or a Ryzen 9 5950X were unavailable. However, these benchmarks are still relevant for most users upgrading after a couple of years. The Core i9-11900K and Core i5-11600K were benchmarked against the slightly older "Core i9-9900K" and "Ryzen 3xxx series". The "Core i9-10980XE", based on the "Cascade Lake-X" (Skylake-X derivative) architecture, also served as a reference point, with its slightly higher pricing. The "Ryzen Threadripper 3970X" provided scores to illustrate the differences (and similarities) across these vastly distinct CPU categories.
In some cases, where benchmarks had been updated and scores for older CPUs were not comparable, they were not included. However, you can access their individual reviews for more in-depth analyses of previous generation models. Variations in test bench configurations, OS updates, and driver versions can also affect scores, so some inconsistencies need to be acknowledged.
Verdict
Ideally, Intel’s 11th Gen Core family, had it progressed as planned, would have differed significantly, possibly leveraging a 7nm or even smaller process. Ideally, Intel wouldn’t have needed to regress in terms of core count for its flagship product of this generation, and performance wouldn’t have shown incremental gains across the board. However, Intel determined that 8 cores were the optimal number for the thermal and power envelopes achievable with this architecture, but a higher core count, say 10 or more, would have resulted in notable improvements in multi-threaded tests. Integrated graphics could have also benefited from a significant boost to offer more compelling performance.
Despite the compromises, the Core i9-11900K remains a formidable processor that will readily handle modern AAA games for the foreseeable future. Intel has managed to keep pace with AMD’s latest and greatest desktop "Ryzens" in terms of gaming performance, which is likely the primary driving factor for most buyers.
Intel has vehemently disavowed any suggestion that the "Rocket Lake" family is a stopgap measure to maintain market vitality, but the upcoming 10nm 12th Gen "Alder Lake" architecture is expected to ship by the end of 2021, limiting the lifespan of "Rocket Lake ". "Alder Lake" benefits from 10nm transistor sizes, Intel’s SuperFin production process, a hybrid design with heterogenous cores, a new socket, DDR5 RAM, and reportedly PCIe 5.0 – a significant shift potentially worth waiting for.
Upgrading from a 10th Gen model to the 11th Gen offers limited return on investment. The Core i9-10900K with 10 cores currently sells for around Rs. 48,000, a much more attractive price compared to the Core i9-11900K’s average street price of Rs. 61,000. This might persuade buyers to opt for the older model, given the price difference.
Potential Core i9-11900K buyers should also consider the Core i7-11700K, priced at Rs. 38,500 with the same core count. If Adaptive Boost Technology isn’t a significant factor, it provides a more budget-friendly option. The non-K SKUs are also more suitable if overclocking is not planned. Similarly, with the Core i5-11600K, better value might lie in the slightly lower Core i5-11500.
AMD’s Ryzen 9 5900X, sporting 12 cores, outperforms in multi-threaded applications, making it a potentially better choice for future-proofing. Current street prices are slightly lower, around Rs. 55,000, but motherboard costs and availability also need to be factored in. The Ryzen 9 5950X with 16 cores costs approximately Rs. 76,000, sitting a tier above the Core i9-11900K. However, it’s a preferable option if core count and thread count are priorities, especially for users who engage in gaming and content creation on the same PC, as it provides a balance rather than excelling solely in single-threaded performance.
The current PC market presents a challenging landscape for building or upgrading, with the shortage of graphics cards at reasonable prices and increasing prices for RAM and SSDs. For most users, the 11th Gen Core desktop family, particularly the Core i9-11900K, might not be a necessary upgrade. Waiting until the 12th Gen launches later this year, hopefully alongside a stabilization in graphics card prices, could lead to greater satisfaction. However, if a new, powerful gaming PC is urgently required or only the CPU and motherboard are being upgraded, the 11th Gen "Rocket Lake" family presents a viable option.
Intel Core i9-11900K
Price (MOP): Rs. 61,000
Pros
- Excellent performance in lightly threaded tests
- Platform features including Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E
- Compatibility with previous generation motherboards
Cons
- Expensive
- Basic integrated graphics
- Fewer cores compared to the Core i9-10900K
Ratings (out of 5)
- Performance: 4.5
- Value for Money: 4
- Overall: 4.5
Intel Core i5-11600K
Price (MOP): Rs. 24,500
Pros
- Solid overall performance
- Platform features including Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E
- Compatibility with previous generation motherboards
Cons
- Basic integrated graphics
Ratings (out of 5)
- Performance: 3.5
- Value for Money: 4
- Overall: 4
Asus ROG Maximus XIII Hero
Price (MOP): Rs. 42,000
Pros
- Attractive aesthetics, clean layout
- Four M.2 slots, two Thunderbolt 4 ports
- Stable performance
- User-friendly UEFI BIOS interface
Cons
- None
Ratings (out of 5)
- Features: 4.5
- Performance: 4.5
- Value for Money: 4
- Overall: 4.5
