Intel puts desktop Alder Lakes with up to 16 cores in laptops

Intel introduces a new HX series of laptop processors as part of its twelfth generation Core CPUs. This HX series uses the same ones as the Alder Lake desktop chips that Intel released last November. The top model has eight P and eight E cores, just like the 12900K.

Intel has basically replaced the LGA1700 socket with a soldered BGA interface. The dimensions and capabilities of the chip are unchanged from the desktop series. As a result, the chip has eight P-cores, instead of the maximum six that Intel’s laptop processors had until now, and the ability to connect up to four M.2 SSDs. The HX processors also support PCIe 5.0.

The pins on the back have been replaced by balls,
but otherwise the chip is identical to the desktop version.

Compared to the regular H-series, however, the HX-series also takes a number of steps backwards. For example, the desktop CPUs have a much less powerful integrated GPU, which now also ends up in the HX series, and integrated Thunderbolt support is missing, which requires extra controller chips. In addition, the pbp with 55W is higher than with the regular H-series, with tdps of 35 or 45W. During turbo boosting, the HX processors can even consume a maximum of 157W.

According to Intel, the HX series, of which the X stands for ‘expanded’, is intended for both gamers and professional users. For the latter group, there are models with support for vPro and ECC memory. In addition, all laptops with an HX processor will also have a separate video card on board.

In the course of next week, the first laptops with an HX processor will be released. The majority of these will be gaming laptops, but Dell, among others, is also working on more business-oriented workstation laptops with the new chips.

New HX Series Models

For reference: existing top models