Test configurations:
Yes, we had to choose one for the Z690 chipset and we chose the ROG Maximus XIV Z690 APEX, simply because it was the first motherboard we received.
The memory kit issue:
So, which memory kit should we use for our testing ? This is a question we asked you on our Twitter account and as a reminder, here’s what we came up with. The idea was to know what memory frequency your configuration is or will be
So we decided to start with a frequency of 3600 MHz with timings in 16-16-16-36. For the tests on the AMD platform, the FCLK will be 1800 MHz, keeping the 1:1 ratio synced. For the Intel Z490 and 10900K platform, we have enabled the Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB) through the BIOS and for the Z590 platform with Rocket Lake processors, ” Adaptive Boost Technology “. The idea is to take advantage of the maximum frequencies of the different cores of our processors. For the rest, apart from the loaded XMP profile, we left all other BIOS settings in auto mode.
Our operating system, Windows 10, is up to date with the latest updates. As far as the Alder Lake configuration is concerned, we chose the kit with the lowest frequency in order to keep a logic when choosing the 3600 MHz DDR4 kit. The idea is to have a frequency that could be the most representative of what you have at home, or will buy. Our choice was a 5200 MHz CL38 kit.
The other question was : Should we use Windows 10 or Windows 11 ?
We couldn’t find an agreement, so you’ll be able to see the performance under both OS !
The Intel Alder Lake configuration:
- Motherboard: Asus Maximus XIV APEX (BIOS 0702)
- Processor: Intel i9-12900K and Intel i5-12600K
- Memory : 32 GB Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 5200 MT/s 38-40-40-78
- Graphics Card : NVIDIA RTX 3070 Founders Edition (test)
- Cooling system : Optimus Foundation + 480 mm EK radiator
- SSD : Western Digital SN850 NVMe SSD M.2 4.0
- Power supply: be quiet! Dark Power PRO 12 1500w
- Operating system: Windows 11
- Display: Asus PG27UQ
Intel Rocket Lake configuration :
- Motherboard: Asus Maximus XIII APEX (BIOS 0611)
- Processor: Intel i9-11900K and Intel i5-11600K
- Memory : 16 GB GSKill TridentZ Royal 3600 MHz 16-16-16-36
- Graphics card : NVIDIA RTX 3070 Founders Edition (test)
- Cooling system : Optimus Foundation + 480 mm EK radiator
- SSD : Western Digital SN850 NVMe SSD M.2 4.0
- Power supply: Corsair AX1600i
- Operating system: Windows 10 64-bit
- Display: Asus PG27UQ
Intel Comet Lake configuration:
- Motherboard: Asus Maximus XII APEX (BIOS 2004)
- Processor: Intel i9-10900K
- Memory : 16 GB GSKill TridentZ Royal 3600 MHz 16-16-16-36
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 3070 Founders Edition (test)
- Cooling system : Optimus Foundation + 480 mm EK radiator
- SSD : Western Digital SN750 NVMe SSD M.2 3.0
- Power supply: Corsair AX1600i
- Operating system: Windows 10 64-bit
- Display: Asus PG27UQ
AMD configuration:
- Motherboard: ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, Ryzen 7 5800X, Ryzen 9 5900X and Ryzen 9 5950X
- Memory : 16 GB GSKill TridentZ Royal 3600 MHz 16-16-16-36 (FCLK 1800)
- Graphics card: NVIDIA RTX 3070 Founders Edition (test)
- Cooling system : EK AMD Ryzen Edition + 480 mm EK radiator
- SSD : Seagate FireCuda 520 NVMe SSD M.2 4.0
- Power supply: Super Flower Platinum 1600 watts
- Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit
- Display: Asus PG27UQ
