Intel has given us our first correct take a look at its 14th-generation desktop and cell CPUs, codenamed ‘Meteor Lake’, that are because of launch in 2023. These would be the first processors to make the most of the brand new ‘Intel 4’ course of node, which is changing the Intel 7 design used within the firm’s present CPUs.
Intel 4 is a 7nm course of know-how, whereas Intel 7 was 10nm (sure, we agree that the naming conference is foolish). The thrilling half is that Intel 4 will use a brand new sort of processor lithography known as ‘superior excessive ultraviolet’ lithography, or EUV for brief. This replaces the standard deep-UV immersion lithography utilized in present processor manufacturing.
Intel is enjoying catch-up right here, since rivals AMD, TSMC, and now Apple are all already utilizing EUV. Nonetheless, the Meteor Lake CPUs look spectacular, providing 21.5% improved processor frequency on the identical energy stage or, alternatively, 40% higher energy effectivity for a similar stage of efficiency.
Meteor Lake may even use Intel’s efficiency and effectivity core design launched within the present Twelfth-gen Alder Lake processors, as confirmed by die pictures of the brand new CPUs that present cell processors with 2P+8E and 6P+8E configurations (that’s P for efficiency and E for effectivity). The desktop chips would require a brand new motherboard, as they’ll use the new LGA-1851 socket.
Evaluation: Can Intel hope to stay aggressive with this new know-how?
Given the spectacular energy effectivity of Apple silicon and AMD’s steadily increasing portion of CPU market share, Intel clearly must adapt to stay related. The shift over to EUV lithography for processor manufacturing gained’t be a shocking one for anybody with their finger on the heartbeat of the CPU race, however will it’s sufficient?
AMD appears dedicated to the aim of turning into the desktop CPU model of selection for avid gamers, with its new 3D V-cache know-how (as seen within the wonderful Ryzen 7 5800X3D) offering unbelievable gaming efficiency. AMD’s next-gen chips are confirmed to characteristic equally huge L3 cache reminiscence, that means that Intel may very well be omitted within the chilly by avid gamers when Ryzen 7000 arrives.
Alternatively, Apple’s M1 and M2 chips have proved to be completely unbelievable in MacBooks, marking Apple silicon as arguably the perfect processors for productiveness. Intel has retained a stable lead over AMD in the case of laptop computer processors, however Apple is starting to seem like a severe menace.
In fact, Intel is gearing up for battle in different arenas too, already getting into the GPU market with its Arc graphics playing cards for laptops. Desktop Arc GPUs are on the way in which too, however between delays and combined preliminary efficiency, we’re nervous that Intel would possibly battle within the coming years. Will these new CPUs be sufficient? Solely time will inform.
