All posts by Jonathan

XPG Spectrix D50 RGB (Kingston/HyperX) – RAM Review

Memory Reviews

First thing to note when purchasing the XPG Spectrix D50 RGB, is that it is definitely priced higher than some, but the pros outweigh the cons enough to make it worth it.

The very first thing I noticed when I put this memory into my computer was that it isn’t as tall as some of the other memory I have tested before, so it leaves some more room than most other memory would. This being said, it doesn’t effect the speed in any way, but is a bonus to have some more room for those pesky wires.

I was unable to get a picture of them, as my PC case is not clear, but I did find one to show what they look like when in a PC.img

The two lines in the middle that stand out in color is a set of the memory, which is how it comes when you purchase them.

The source for this image did mention that a custom color option would be nice, but there has to be a point to where it becomes too good for it’s cost.

Like a lot of memory I have tested, it would be a wise decision to go into BIOS and make sure that the memory and your PC are communicating properly and at one set speed to increase efficiency.

Onto some of the details other than flashy lights and general things that can be said about a lot of different memory sticks, I have the specs of the memory listed below.

This image is linked to where I got it from

 

Note:  This review is part of a classroom project.

Intel Core i9 12900KF

CPU reviews

The Intel Core i9 12900KF is one of the best CPUs I personally have ever tested and I am happy to share my thoughts and facts to base them off of. This CPU is priced at $616.99 and has 16 cores and 24 threads to allow you to complete a variety of different tasks at once. The i9 12900KF is one of the KF counterparts to the K-series CPUs that were produced by Intel, which are usually cheaper than the K-series, but can be just as effective on certain tasks.

 

Motherboards that are best fit for this CPU are motherboards with the LGA 1700 CPU socket that can allow up to 2.4GHz of speed for the CPU to function at peak performance. This CPU is great to work for Windows 11 and makes Windows 10 work like it’s brand new. Your best options for memory are DDR4/DDR5 so long as the speed is close if not the same as the CPU.

Using the specifications below, I have found where another person has tested this CPU and got their own results and their own opinion on it. (the image is a link to the site)

  • The new P-core is faster than a Zen 3 core, and uses 55-65 W in ST
  • The new E-core is faster than Skylake, and uses 11-15 W in ST
  • Maximum all-core power recorded was 272 W, but usually below 241 W (even in AVX-512)
  • Despite Intel saying otherwise, Alder Lake does have AVX-512 support (if you want it)!
  • Overall Performance of i9-12900K is well above i9-11900K
  • Performance against AMD overall is a mixed bag: win on ST, MT varies
  • Performance per Watt of the P-cores still lags Zen3
  • There are some fundamental Windows 10 issues (that can be solved)
  • Don’t trust thermal software just yet, it says 100C but it’s not
  • Linux idle power is lower than Windows idle power
  • DDR5 gains shine through in specific MT tests, otherwise neutral to DDR4

(the list above is not my words, the credit to this list belongs to Dr. Ian Cutress & Andrei Frumusanu)

Looking back on all of what has been stated/listed, this CPU has a record of working great for whatever task is required of it. Don’t just take my word for it, go out and find other reviews on this if you are interested in making this purchase to get the opinion of countless others.

 

Note:  This review is part of a classroom project.

References:

Ian Cutress, Andrei Frumusanu. “The Intel 12th Gen Core I9-12900K Review: Hybrid Performance Brings Hybrid Complexity.” Anandtech.Com, https://www.anandtech.com/show/17047/the-intel-12th-gen-core-i912900k-review-hybrid-performance-brings-hybrid-complexity. Accessed 27 Jan. 2022.

“Intel® CoreTM I9-12900KF Processor (30M Cache, up to 5.20 GHz) – Product Specifications.” Intel, https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/134600/intel-core-i912900kf-processor-30m-cache-up-to-5-20-ghz/specifications.html. Accessed 27 Jan. 2022.