Intel new processor family has been launched two weeks ago. Today I show you the new Alder Lake test machine based on the following components:
– CPU: Intel Core i5-12600K
– Motherboard: ASUS PRIME Z690-P D4
– Memory: G.Skill Aegis DDR4-3200
– CPU cooler: Noctua NH-U12S chromax.black
The previous Intel testbed was based on the Core i5-11600K so the new Core i5-12600K was a logical choice for an Alder Lake test machine. The other components were chosen because they were available at my dealer.
CPU: Intel Core i5-12600K
The
Motherboard: ASUS PRIME Z690-P D4
The ASUS PRIME Z690-P D4 is based on the new Z690 chipset (chipset designed for Alder Lake processors). The Z690 chipset supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory modules but the PRIME Z690-P D4 supports only DDR4 modules. DDR5 modules are more expensive and are not yet widely available… That’s why I took DDR4 modules!
Main features of the PRIME Z690-P D4:
– Socket: LGA 1700
– PCIe 5.0
– 3 x M.2 slots
– Memory: DDR4
– Video outputs: HDMI, DisplayPort
– Ethernet: 2.5Gb/s
– 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 2 x USB 2.0.
More information can be found on the homepage.
The three M.2 slots:
The inputs / outputs:
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12S chromax.black
This CPU cooler has been released last year. For new Intel 12th Gen processors, Noctua has released a mounting upgrade kit for LGA 1700 socket.
The mounting upgrade kit for LGA 1700 socket:
Memory: G.Skill Aegis DDR4-3200
I took a 2x8GB memory kit with the following timing/voltage: CL16-18-18-38, 1.35V
Mounting the components
Here are some steps of the assembling…
First Boot
The motherboard is shipped with the 0407 BIOS. At the time of writing, the latest BIOS is 0605.
How to update the BIOS:
1/ download the latest BIOS from THIS PAGE.
2/ unzip the archive and put the PRIME-Z690-P-D4-ASUS-0605.CAP file on an USB key.
3/ plug the USB key on the Z690 motherboard, power on the system and press DEL to enter in the BIOS.
4/ Go the Tools section and launch the flash utility (ASUS EZ Flash 3).
5/ Select the BIOS file and start the update.
After the BIOS update, you should see the new BIOS version (here 0605):
Like for any other piece of software, it’s recommended to update a BIOS to get new features but mainly to fix bugs!
CPU Temperature
Idle temperature
In the BIOS, we saw that the temperature of the CPU was 29°C for a voltage of 1.217V. Let’s check the temperature on Windows at idle and under load.
– CoreTemp:
CoreTemp does not show the right number of threads. Even if the Core i5-12600K has 10 physical cores, it does not have 20 threads. The correct value is 16 threads (or 16 logical cores).
– HWMonitor:
Stress Test temperature
To get an overview of the CPU temperature under load, I stressed the CPU with Cinebench R23.
The max CPU temp reached 73°C (voltage: 1.354V) with a power of 141W (the TDP of the Core i5-12600K is 125W (base clock speed) and 150W (turbo clock speed)).
That’s all for this article. In the next article, we’ll look at the performance of the Core i5-12600K vs Core i5-11600K vs Ryzen 7 5800X.
My i5 12600K with Noctua U12S with Asus TUF Gaming WiFi D4 with 2×32 gb Corsair 3200 can’t use XMP I or II. It goes up to 2800 only manually. And the temps I see is up to 82 Celsius. I thought this has to do with U12S not cooling enough the CPU but from what I see here this is not the case. I have the pair in A1B1 slots.
Changing to A2B2 made a whole lot difference!
It works flawlessly.
What if I add another 2 sticks later? Should it work ok then?
Thanks a million
Yes, the Noctua U12S works fine with the i5-12600K, so 82°C is weird. Do you have a correct CPU temperature since you changed the memory slots (now in A2/B2) ?
I changed the CPU fan to Turbo and it’s a lot better. Using XMP II and turbo fan it’s around 75 78 under heavy load. I am adding a 2nd fun also to U12S
use A2B2 slots 🙂
Ok, so I’m confused about the Noctua cooler – does the NH-U12S come with the extra LGA1700 bracket or do you have to purchase this separately, your review is a bit confusing in this respect. I am loyal to Noctua but if the mounting kit is separate (meaning another step in the build and more to go wrong) I may just find a cooler that works out of the box with LGA1700. Not sure if it helps but for my i5-12600k build I will most probably use a Gigabyte Z690 UD or Gaming X motherboard…. if the kit is separate how do I know which one to get?
I bought the NH-U12S for the Core i5-12600K and the LGA1700 upgrade kit has been shipped with the NH-U12S cooler, I didn’t order the upgrade kit separately.
It is a beautiful review! Thank you for that, because I wanted to buy the same parts.
Just one question, please. Could you answer it is possible to install an additional fan “Noctua NA-FK1 redux” from the other side of the radiator? I mean – is there enough space from the motherboard radiator’s side (where are located all inputs/outputs)?
Having the same setup, but board with wifi, ddr4 ballistix 3000mhz 4x8gb, and NOCTUA NH u14s cooler.
Temperatures are higher then my Skylake, but never more then 53°C !!!
Here’s something done very wrong!!
Did you order from NOCTUA the free new adaptor? It’s just a question of 1mm or less i think…. NOCTUA has a great support service! I used the cooler before on my Skylake too, but didn’t had the adaptor to fit the 690 board, …just fill in everything on their site, and in a week you have the new adapter.