We know that in Models other than K overclocking is not possible. With this we are talking about processors, it is Intel, it is impossible. Well, what if we told you that they don’t and there is a little catch that allows them to achieve higher clock speeds than the standard? Well, yes, and it looks like we’ve figured out how to boost the speed of some of Intel’s latest generation desktop processors. We are talking about processors like the i3-12100, i5-12400 and i7-12700. How did they get there?
Officially, there are a number of Intel processors whose speed cannot be varied by increasing their clock speed through overclocking tools. However, something curious happens with the Core 12, since we have two different ranges within the same brand. On the one hand, those who only bring with them the so-called P-Cores, which are in the low range and have no overclocking capabilities. On the other hand, those that combine both P-Cores and E-Cores within the chip. Well, in the last type, there is a series of models without the K at the end which are exactly the same as the others, except in one detail, they also do not support overclocking.
The secret of derivative CPU models and overclocking.
One of the methods to comfortably overclock a processor and without having to touch it is the BCLK method or base clock. This is based on the fact that the clock speeds achieved by a processor are a base clock speed multiplied by a multiplier. Thus, by varying said clock speed, a greater or lesser speed is obtained. This feature exists because if a chip does not pass thermal and power tests at the same level as its twin brothers, what is done is to lower the BCLK and sell it as an inferior model. It should be noted that this also happens in the opposite case.
Thus, from the i9-12900K, two additional processors can be derived: the i9-12900 with a lower speed and without overclocking capability, and the i9-12900KS with a higher maximum speed and overclocking capability. Well, this phenomenon also occurs in the case of AMD processors. Although in this article, as you will have understood, we will focus on the non-K models and more specifically the i3-12100, i5-12400F and i7-12700 models.
How do you get overclocking on non-K models of the Intel Core 12?
As this is not officially a function that Intel itself allows us to do, you will have already assumed in advance that the answer must lie elsewhere. And let us tell you that you are right, as this is a motherboard dependent feature. That is, some models allow overclocking in non-K models, such as ASUS models such as ROG Maximus Z690 Apex, ROG Strix B660-G Gaming WiFi and B660-F Gaming WiFi. The thing? A side effect of the PCI Express clock signal generator, which allows the BCLK method to be applied
And what about fuel consumption and performance?
Well, as you might have guessed, energy consumption can even double in the process. This is normal since the clock frequency is part of the formula for calculating power consumption. So make sure you have a good cooling system to do this, as it also means higher temperatures.
In terms of performance, as we can see through Cinebench R23, both in its single-threaded and multi-threaded tests, we see how the processor that benefits the most from the change is the i3-12100, while the one that least benefit from it is the i3-12100. i7-12700. For us the most interesting is the i5-12400 for its 6-core P-Core configuration and its price below 200 dollars. Of course, and finally, this feature is only possible with certain motherboards that cost more than these processors. In any case, it is still something curious.
