https://www.tomshardware.com/news/intel-enables-ecc-on-12th-gen-core-cpus Skip to main content (*) ( ) Tom's Hardware [ ] Search [ ] RSS (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) UK US Australia Canada * * Reviews * Best Picks * Raspberry Pi * CPUs * GPUs * Coupons * More + Laptops + SSDs + Motherboards + Cooling + Desktops + PC Builds + Monitors + RAM + PC Cases + Keyboards + Headsets + Mice + Power Supplies + 3D Printers + VR Headsets + About Tom's Hardware Forums (opens in new tab) Trending * Nvidia RTX 4090 Review * Intel 13th-Gen Raptor Lake * AMD Ryzen 7000 * Intel Arc A770 Tom's Hardware is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's why you can trust us. 1. Home 2. News Intel Enables ECC Memory on Consumer Alder Lake CPUs By Anton Shilov published 8 March 2022 You need a W680 chipset, though. * (opens in new tab) * (opens in new tab) * * (opens in new tab) * (opens in new tab) * (opens in new tab) * Comments (7) Intel (Image credit: Intel) For the first time in recent history, Intel is no longer disabling ECC memory support on its standard consumer processors, in this case, the 12th Generation Core 'Alder Lake' CPUs. However, you have to use the company's W680 platform to access the feature. For years, entry-level workstations had to rely on entry-level Xeon E-series processors to gain ECC support to ensure reliable operation with high memory capacities. This was somewhat a controversial limitation because those CPUs used the same silicon as Core processors. Usually, the only difference other than ECC support was the use of a workstation-grade motherboard. Apparently, this ends with Alder Lake and W680. Intel's W680 chipset brief clearly states that the latest Core processors support ECC, reports HardwareLuxx: "Error Correcting Code (ECC) memory support minimizes errors and delivers a stable engineering and design platform. When paired with the right Intel Core processors, you can get support for the Intel vPro platform, which gives businesses the tools to manage and secure workstations." Heise.de specifically inquired with the chipmaker and received confirmation: "12th Generation Core processors support ECC when paired with W680 platforms. In fact, even enthusiast-grade Core i9-12900K gains ECC support when paired with W680." - Intel spokesperson. Intel (Image credit: Intel) Speaking of Intel's W680, it is necessary to note that this chipset has essentially the same features as Z690, but given its workstation nature, it lacks support for overclocking. Other capabilities, such as PCIe 5.0 support from the CPU, PCIe 3.0/4.0 support from the chipset, SATA ports, Wi-Fi 6E logic, GbE, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 are all there. Enabling ECC support on Intel Core processors will somewhat democratize the entry-level workstation market as it will be easier to get CPUs with ECC memory support. Meanwhile, for Intel, it will be easier to manage its inventory as it will no longer have to test, pack, transport, and carry a dozen of Xeon-branded SKUs that are barely different from Core-badged processors. In any case, it looks like everyone wins here. Anton Shilov Anton Shilov Freelance News Writer Anton Shilov is a Freelance News Writer at Tom's Hardware US. Over the past couple of decades, he has covered everything from CPUs and GPUs to supercomputers and from modern process technologies and latest fab tools to high-tech industry trends. More about cpus Intel vs AMD AMD vs Intel: Which CPUs Are Better in 2022? AMD Ryzen 9 7900X AMD Ryzen 9 7900X Review: Zen 4 Has a Pricing Problem Latest YMTC U.S. Government Export Block Could Prevent Apple Using Chinese 3D NAND See more latest > Topics CPUs Intel Chipsets See all comments (7) [ ] 7 Comments Comment from the forums * -Fran- What a joke... This wouldn't be an issue/topic if they never started segmenting the market in the first place... "Abuse me daddy", much? Regards. Reply * wifiburger -Fran- said: What a joke... This wouldn't be an issue/topic if they never started segmenting the market in the first place... "Abuse me daddy", much? Regards. lol, what are you complaining about ? get the mobo/ chipset if you need ECC and be done with it What's the alternative ? AMD ? AMD side is wild wild west: which mobo supports ECC ? hint they all run the same chipset, same bios but some you don' t get ECC which chipset is supported for my next cpu ? do I get full or beta support ? is the vendor still putting out bios updates ? fTPM agesa bug you say ? well you better have a supported chipset to get the fix Reply * -Fran- wifiburger said: lol, what are you complaining about ? get the mobo/ chipset if you need ECC and be done with it What's the alternative ? AMD ? AMD side is wild wild west: which mobo supports ECC ? hint they all run the same chipset, same bios but some you don' t get ECC which chipset is supported for my next cpu ? do I get full or beta support ? is the vendor still putting out bios updates ? fTPM agesa bug you say ? well you better have a supported chipset to get the fix Er... AMD motherboards using AM4 do support ECC, just FYI. The motherboard vendor just needs to enable it. This was like a super important feature that came with Zen1 motherboards back then and was kept all the way to Zen3. I hope they do keep the ECC support with AM5. EDIT: Here you go: https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php? 112750-List-Asus-Motherboards-that-Support-ECC-Mode-with-Ryzen- (ECC-Enabled) Regards. Reply * bambinone Will it support RDIMMs and LRDIMMs, or only UDIMMs? Reply * heickel.ramadhan -Fran- said: Er... AMD motherboards using AM4 do support ECC, just FYI. The motherboard vendor just needs to enable it. This was like a super important feature that came with Zen1 motherboards back then and was kept all the way to Zen3. I hope they do keep the ECC support with AM5. EDIT: Here you go: https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php? 112750-List-Asus-Motherboards-that-Support-ECC-Mode-with-Ryzen- (ECC-Enabled) Regards. at the end of the day, a mobo without ECC support will not have ECC and u will need diffrent mobo for ECC support nothing much changes from buyer perspective, in fact segmenting 1 chipset specially for ECC mean, all board named after that chipset is guaranteed have ECC support Reply * Co BIY Important questions are how much is a motherboard with this chipset, are they available yet and is any ECC DDR5 memory available. Reply * -Fran- heickel.ramadhan said: at the end of the day, a mobo without ECC support will not have ECC and u will need diffrent mobo for ECC support nothing much changes from buyer perspective, in fact segmenting 1 chipset specially for ECC mean, all board named after that chipset is guaranteed have ECC support That is not the point. AMD is not forcing OEMs or AIBs to not support ECC in their boards. It is up to them. Intel does tell them what to do and punishes motherboard makers if they bypass anything they tell them not to do. There's plenty of examples of this, so I won't give you any myself, but I do have fond memories of the P45 chipset shenanigans. Regards. Reply * View All 7 Comments Show more comments Be In the Know Get instant access to breaking news, in-depth reviews and helpful tips. [ ] [ ] [ ] Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands [ ] Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors [Sign me up] Thank you for signing up to Tom's Hardware. You will receive a verification email shortly. There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again. By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions (opens in new tab) and Privacy Policy (opens in new tab) and are aged 16 or over. MOST POPULARMOST SHARED 1. 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