Intel introduces Adaptive Boost Technology for Core i9-11900K and Core i9-11900KF

The 11th Gen Core series codenamed “Rocket Lake-S” will get a 4th Boost mode, labeled Adaptive Boost. Both Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB) and Adaptive Boost Technology (ABT) will be exclusive to Rocket Lake’s Core i9-11900K(F) series.

And read it well, specifically the 11th Gen Core i9 Series. And yes, that means Core i9 Rocket-Lake will have four tiers of Boost modes. A bit confusing, we agree. But I'll try and explain it.  

Three of the now four modes you are likely familiar with; there's Turbo Boost 2.0 and 3.0, and then Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB). Add to that Adaptive Boost Technology (ABT), which is a boost state applied to all cores (!) if certain power supply and if the cooling requirements are met. We're not sure yet how conditions for a PSU are measured but we'll leave that open for now.

Adaptive Boost will only be available for the Core i9 K and -KF models: In other words, only Core i9-11900K and Core i9-11900KF. With a processor temperature of less than 70°C, it achieves a Thermal Velocity Boost of 5.3 GHz on two cores. That's 5.2 GHz without TVB. If more than two cores are working, a maximum of 5.1 GHz is possible, but so far only for up to four cores if TVB activates. So four cores max.

Adaptive Boost now takes it up a notch, if a proper power supply is applied, and if temps remain below 70 Degrees  C, all eight cores can boost to 5.1 GHz. So for more than four cores the up to 5.1 GHz far exceeds the previous specification of 4.9 or 4.8 GHz.

You'll need the latest BIOS revisions to get this supported. You can see where this new Boost feature would help, multi-threaded apps and games.