Assemble that Passes # 297
Intel 11th generation processors have just arrived, but we already know they won't have a particularly long life. For some time there has been talk, even officially, of an arrival of the Alder Lake series by the end of the year, with support for DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 memories to be included. Among other things, it seems likely that the architecture of the new processors was designed to combine two different types of cores, paving the way for a new way of conceiving CPUs. In fact, we are talking about a flagship solution equipped with 8 high-speed cores and 8 designed according to efficiency which should therefore be decidedly versatile, guaranteeing low consumption with not particularly high workloads, maximum gaming performance and considerable raw power. in multi-threaded computing.
To the above it should be added that with the arrival of Alder Lake it is likely that Intel Xe-HPG video cards will also arrive on the market, according to what Intel has declared now "around the corner". In fact, we read this in the company's job announcement for a Senior Game Developer Relations Engineer, a role that underlines Intel's intention to enjoy maximum support from game developers. The first cards will probably point to the medium-high range and not at the maximum, with the top model that in internal tests would go a little faster than an RTX 3070, but this is an important starting point and one that promises to move the GPU market soon, although there are probably still a few months to go.
But the software ecosystem is already preparing for the advent of new processors. The latest version of HWiNFO includes support for the future Z690 chipset, with specific reference to the family of ASUS ROG Maximus XIV motherboards which, like the flagship models of the other series, should natively support 4800 MHz DDR5 memory. lower instead, it seems that we will have to settle for DDR4-3200 memories, apparently destined to remain in circulation for a while longer. Also because they will in all likelihood be the only option in the case of Ryzen 6000 processors, they are assumed to use a performance-optimized Zen 3+ architecture but similar to the current Zen 3 in features.
Intel, however, will not be the only one to take important steps forward and in the case of AMD the first and perhaps most relevant would seem to be very close. We refer to the FidelityFX Super Resolution, the upscaling technology based on artificial intelligence developed by AMD to counter the powerful DLSS of NVIDIA, with many games capable of drastically increasing the framerate, also compensating for the weight of ray tracing applied in a way massive as with Control, Cyberpunk 2077 and the recent enhanced version of Metro Exodus. It therefore represents a significant advantage that should at least be reduced with the implementation of the FidelityFX Super Resolution, according to some rumors that are delayed compared to initial forecasts due to the decision to implement it also on the latest generation consoles. But the wait may be almost over.
To say it were the guys from Coreteks, via Youtube, citing an unspecified rumor that would indicate the month of June as the release period for the important AMD technology. According to the rumor, the technology would already be in the hands of the developers and would be quite simple to implement, not requiring a learning period to be implemented unlike DLSS. However, we do not expect miracles. The Radeon cards do not have technology similar to the GeForce Tensor cores, but given the ease of implementation, such that it seems the technology can also work on NVIDIA cards even if we expect this possibility to be removed in the final version, it could enjoy massive support. since the release. Among other things, AMD could capitalize on this leap forward by increasing the availability of Radeon cards, although Lisa Su's statements regarding this have not been particularly clear. In fact, we have not yet understood whether speaking of an increase forecast for sales in the coming months it refers to greater supplies for models already in circulation or to the arrival of the new low-end and laptop models.
In meanwhile the Radeon Team is obviously working on the RDNA 3 graphics architecture which, using new cores, promises a net leap in efficiency and brute power, already decidedly high in the case of the current generation Radeons. Almost nothing is known about the official, but some information has leaked from the leaker KittyYYuko who has published some rumors relating to the Navi 33 chip, apparently equipped with the same number of Navi 21 cores, the current generation flagship chip. Something that suggests the arrival of mid-range cards able to surpass the current high-end ones, combining the improvements with 80 compute units to 5120 Stream Processor. On the other hand, it could be double the power of an RX 7900 XT compared to an RX 6900 XT. In fact, other rumors speak of a Navi 31 dual chiplet with 160 compute units and 10240 stream processors which, according to KittyYYuko's indiscretions, would be composed of two Navi 33, offering not only enormous brute power, but also a large number of rays. accelerator with all the advantages of ray tracing performance.
Budget configuration
The budget configuration is the one aimed at saving but it is not certain that there is no room for an upgrade where you need to present interesting perspectives. The proposals in this range include solutions designed for low-tech games and 1080p-oriented builds.Considering that the low-end models of the new Intel series are refreshes of the previous ones and are not even easy to find , we care for the umpteenth time, but with no regrets despite a small hike in price, the Core i5-10400F, great for a configuration without overclocking but with remarkable power and responsiveness for the low end.
The drop in price of some GeForce GT 1030s makes what is undoubtedly a bitter mouthful more digestible. On the other hand, we are talking about a decidedly modest solution, even for an economic configuration. But the alternatives are few between the lack of integrated graphics of this Intel processor model and the stellar prices of any gaming GPU capable of guaranteeing good in-game performance.
BUDGET Component Price PROCESSOR Intel Core i5-10400F 2.9-4.3GHz 155,00 € ASRock H410M-HDV MOTHERBOARD 85,00 € VIDEO CARD MSI GeForce GT 1030 Aero ITX OC 2 GB 90,00 € RAM Crucial Ballistix 2x8GB 2666MHz CL16 80,00 € EVGA POWER SUPPLY 450 BR 80+ Bronze € 45.00 HARD DISK Kingston A400 480GB SATA III € 50.00 CASE DeepCool MATREXX 55 Mid Tower € 50.00 TOTAL € 555.00
Gaming Configuration
In the gaming segment there are usually those components that allow you to face the game on the PC without fear and to hold on for some time. The frame rate showdown is just around the corner but, with a good base, it's always possible to sell the old GPU before it devalues too much so you can buy a new one just in time to take on the next hardware-smashing blockbuster.For a mere question of price we remain oriented towards Intel in a range in which the number of PCIe 4.0 ports has a relative weight, as well as the lack of overclocking for the CPU of mid-range Intel motherboards. Indeed, this week we are also giving up on overclocking memory by aiming directly at the convenience of the 10600KF, great for a mid-range card and a good bridge waiting to be able to move to something new with Alder Lake, memory and DDR5 and PCIe 5.0. Among other things, the Corsair Carbide 275R at a discount, further increases the convenience of the build.
Unfortunately, on the GPU side, the market is still paralyzed by a much lower availability than demand, so much so that the only way to obtain video cards at the recommended price is to be able to buy them at the exact moment of launch, challenging fate in a click battle with thousands of opponents, or to look for the minimum price, however very high, still having to face often very long waits with the risk of order cancellation.
GAMING Component Price PROCESSOR Intel Core i5-10600KF 3.9-4.9GHz 195,00 € MOTHERBOARD Asus TUF GAMING B460M-PLUS 115,00 € VIDEO CARD Inno3D GeForce RTX 3060 Twin X2 OC 12 GB 690,00 € RAM Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO 2x8GB 3200MHz CL16 120,00 € POWER SUPPLY FSP Hydro PRO 600W 80+ Bronze 55,00 € HARD DISK Crucial MX500 1 TB SATA III 95,00 € CASE Corsair Carbide 275R Mid Tower 65.00 € TOT ALE 1335.00 €
Extra Configuration
The pushed configuration makes sense only for those who aim for high resolutions, aware that luxury often does not go hand in hand with rationality. On the other hand, let's face it, who doesn't like having a nice engine under the hood even if you have to respect the speed limit?The Ryzen 5900X is getting closer and closer to the recommended price, resulting in an attractive processor for those who need a lot of power, a system capable of managing several applications at the same time, appreciating multitasking and does not want to give up performance in high games that increase among other things by using the PBO, which can be exploited without the need to resort to mammoth heat sinks.
What has been said for the medium range is even more valid for the high range, prey to prices so paradoxical that it is possible to find RTX 3090 cheaper than RTX 3080 models not too high. We therefore still recommend patience, as long as you have at least a decent card on hand, in the hope that the promises of an increase in production by AMD and NVIDIA will be transformed. actually in not too long times.
EXTRA Component Price PROCESSOR Ryzen R9 5900X 3.7-4.8GHz 640,00 € SINK ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 RGB 110,00 € CARD MOTHER MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK 235,00 € VIDEO CARD MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Ventus 10 GB 1265,00 € RAM G.Skill Trident Z RGB 2x16GB DDR4 3600MHz CL16 240,00 € ANTEC POWER SUPPLY HCG-850 80+ Gold 140,00 € HARD DISK WD Black SN850 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 € 220.00 CASE Corsair 5000D Mid Tower € 155.00 TOTAL € 3005.00
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