What chipset is Intel 12th-Gen?

What chipset is Intel 12th-Gen? The short answer to this question is that it depends on what you’re looking for from your computer. If you want to build the most powerful computer possible, then the Intel 12th-Gen chipset will be the best choice. However, if you’re just looking to build something that will get the job done without spending too much money, the Intel 11th-Gen chipset might be better suited to your needs. It all comes down to what you’re looking for in your computer, and this guide should help to make your decision easier.

Chipset history: Sandy Bridge, Ivy Bridge, Haswell, Broadwell, Skylake, Kaby Lake, Coffee Lake

these are just a few of Intel’s most recent generations of CPU chips. But which processor are you using, or thinking about getting next? It’s important to know your history and what kind of features each generation offers, in order to make an informed decision on which processor will best suit your needs. How many cores does it have? Is it efficient at handling video games or videos, or both? The more you know about each generation, from Sandy Bridge to Coffee Lake, the easier it will be for you to make an informed purchase decision. Check out our introduction above for a brief look back over some of these earlier generations and get up to speed before making your big upgrade! We promise you won’t be disappointed!

What Chipset to use

Chipsets are a pretty complex topic and it will take some time to go over everything you need to know about them. A quick summary of chipsets is that they’re like a motherboard for your CPU. The easiest way to understand what that means is that without a motherboard, you can’t even use your CPU. When you get more advanced, CPUs are specifically designed for certain motherboards.

Consumer Chipsets

Up until now, i7’s have always meant Intel’s Flagship Core i5 and i7 Processors. But starting with Coffee Lake (8th Gen), it looks like that trend might change. A leaked slide from a training session for its retail partners states that for 8th Generation CPUs, its highest tier consumer CPU will be marketed as i9 rather than as an i7. If true, then Intel would likely stop marketing Core i5 and Core i7 processors to consumers altogether. This strategy shift makes sense when you consider how well AMD Ryzen 5 1600X has performed in most workloads.

Processors with these chipsets

Kaby Lake, Coffee Lake and Cannonlake chipsets. And yes, you heard right: There’s no codename for 10nm processors. Cannonlake chipsets will be compatible with an upgraded Coffee Lake socket known as LGA1151 v2. 0 while Kaby Lake and Coffee Lake chipsets are pin-compatible. The first three generations of processors were named after places in California (Yonah, Merom, Conroe), but since then Intel has used code names based on natural phenomena (Nehalem, Sandy Bridge). In 2018 we’re seeing a return to geographic names (Cannonlake) but it remains to be seen if that will continue in 2019 when Ice Lake launches. While I wouldn't count on it being called Lake Tahoe, I would expect another natural phenomenon name to emerge at some point in 2019.

When to upgrade from Z170 or X99

Many users are still running their Z170 or X99 motherboards for last year’s Kaby Lake and Skylake processors, but when will these platforms be surpassed by next year’s incoming motherboards? It turns out there are two good answers to that question: If you want to overclock your CPU then you don't want to go beyond a Z270 motherboard.

However, if overclocking isn't important to you, then most older LGA 1151 Skylake motherboards should support Coffee Lake, or even Cannon Lake processors. The latter has been delayed until 2018 because of manufacturing issues, however.