Intel Unveils 2023-2025 CPU Roadmap: 15th Gen Arrow Lake, Panther, and Nova Lake Revealed

Intel's CPU roadmap for 2023-2026 showcases promising upgrades and advancements in processor technology, including a disaggregated architecture, improved cores and graphics, and a focus on mobile-centric designs, with the potential to regain their competitive edge.

Disaggregated architecture for improved performance
Utilization of advanced process nodes for increased efficiency
Potential for high-core count and cache variants

Intel has recently launched its CPU roadmap for the years 2023 to 2025, showcasing some exciting upgrades and advancements in their processor technology. In this article, we will take a closer look at the upcoming releases and what they mean for the future of computing.

Firstly, let’s address the elephant in the room – Intel’s 1st Gen Core Ultra processors. Unfortunately, these chips have not lived up to expectations. Despite utilizing Intel’s most advanced node, they fall short in terms of performance and power efficiency compared to AMD’s Ryzen 7000 CPUs. This disappointing outcome has shed some light on why Intel’s highly anticipated Meteor Lake won’t be making its way to the desktop market.

Now, let’s dive into the roadmap itself. The 15th Gen Arrow Lake processors are set to be the next significant upgrade in Intel’s lineup. These processors will feature a disaggregated architecture, utilizing a 2nm-class 20A CPU die. The cores will be upgraded to Lion Cove (P) and Skymont (E), promising improved performance. The iGPU will be based on the Battlemage graphics IP and manufactured on TSMC’s 3nm/4nm node. The desktop lineup is expected to arrive in late 2024, boasting up to 24 cores.

Moving on to the 16th Gen family, we can expect a refresh of the Arrow Lake processors. This refresh will focus on increasing the number of cores and cache, similar to what we’ve seen with Raptor Lake. The top-end desktop die is projected to offer up to 40 cores, including 8P and 32 E-Cores. While the process node and core architectures will remain unchanged, this update should provide a significant boost in performance. The Arrow Lake Refresh is slated for a late 2025 release.

Lunar Lake, set to succeed Lakefield, will be an ultrabook/convertible SoC. It will be manufactured on TSMC’s 3nm (N3B) node and feature up to 4P and 4E cores, along with 2 LP cores. These chips will share similarities with Arrow Lake but will be produced by TSMC with a lower TDP of 7-15W. The launch of Lunar Lake is expected to coincide with the same.

Looking ahead to 2025-26, we have Panther Lake and Nova Lake on the horizon. The 17th Gen Panther Lake lineup will be focused on mobile-centric designs and will be fabricated on the Intel 18A node. It will feature “Cougar Cove” P cores and “Darkmont” E cores, offering a new die layout with up to 12 cores, including 4P, 8E, and 4LP cores. Panther Lake is anticipated to arrive towards the end of 2025.

Finally, the 18th Gen Nova Lake will be the true successor to Arrow Lake. It will feature 16 P-Cores and 32 E-cores, along with 4 LP-cores. Nova Lake will be manufactured on the Intel 14A node and will introduce P-cores capable of leveraging Rentable Units and Arctic Wolf E-cores. These CPUs are expected to offer high-cache variants similar to AMD’s 3D V-Cache chips. We can look forward to Nova Lake launching in late 2026.

Intel’s CPU roadmap for the next few years promises exciting advancements in processor technology. While the recent release of their 1st Gen Core Ultra processors may have been underwhelming, it’s clear that Intel is working hard to regain its competitive edge. With upgrades in core architecture, process nodes, and graphics IP, these upcoming releases hold the potential to deliver significant performance improvements for consumers and professionals alike.

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Background Information

About AMD: AMD, a large player in the semiconductor industry is known for its powerful processors and graphic solutions, AMD has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and user experience. With a customer-centric approach, the company has cultivated a reputation for delivering high-performance solutions that cater to the needs of gamers, professionals, and general users. AMD's Ryzen series of processors have redefined the landscape of desktop and laptop computing, offering impressive multi-core performance and competitive pricing that has challenged the dominance of its competitors. Complementing its processor expertise, AMD's Radeon graphics cards have also earned accolades for their efficiency and exceptional graphical capabilities, making them a favored choice among gamers and content creators. The company's commitment to innovation and technology continues to shape the client computing landscape, providing users with powerful tools to fuel their digital endeavors.

About Arctic: Arctic is a rising star in the tech industry with a focus on developing innovative cooling solutions for electronic systems. As the leading manufacturer of computer cooling solutions, Arctic has been at the forefront of the industry for many years. The company has over 25 years of experience and is celebrated for their pioneering designs and technology. Their commitment to quality and innovation has resulted in an extensive range of coolers, power supplies and fans that have become indispensable components of all major computer system builds. As their range of products continues to grow, Arctic is energizing the PC component market and revolutionizing the way enthusiasts and professionals build out their systems.

About Cougar: Founded in 2007, Cougar is a gaming gear brand, with a focus on gaming peripherals and accessories. The company is known for its gaming mice, keyboards, and other accessories designed for gamers.

About Intel: Intel Corporation, a global technology leader, is for its semiconductor innovations that power computing and communication devices worldwide. As a pioneer in microprocessor technology, Intel has left an indelible mark on the evolution of computing with its processors that drive everything from PCs to data centers and beyond. With a history of advancements, Intel's relentless pursuit of innovation continues to shape the digital landscape, offering solutions that empower businesses and individuals to achieve new levels of productivity and connectivity.

About TSMC: TSMC, or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, is a semiconductor foundry based in Taiwan. Established in 1987, TSMC is a important player in the global semiconductor industry, specializing in the manufacturing of semiconductor wafers for a wide range of clients, including technology companies and chip designers. The company is known for its semiconductor fabrication processes and plays a critical role in advancing semiconductor technology worldwide.

Technology Explained

CPU: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of a computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. It is the most important component of a computer system, as it is responsible for controlling all other components. CPUs are used in a wide range of applications, from desktop computers to mobile devices, gaming consoles, and even supercomputers. CPUs are used to process data, execute instructions, and control the flow of information within a computer system. They are also used to control the input and output of data, as well as to store and retrieve data from memory. CPUs are essential for the functioning of any computer system, and their applications in the computer industry are vast.

E-Cores: E-Cores (Efficiency Cores) are a type of technology used in the computer industry to provide a more efficient and reliable way of powering and cooling computer components. They are made up of a combination of copper and aluminum, and are designed to be more efficient than traditional copper cores. E-Cores are used in a variety of applications, such as in CPUs, GPUs, and other computer components. They are also used in servers, laptops, and other electronic devices. The technology is designed to reduce heat and power consumption, while also providing a more reliable and efficient way of powering and cooling computer components.

iGPU: An integrated Graphics Processing Unit (iGPU) is a component built into a computer's central processing unit (CPU) or system-on-chip (SoC) that handles graphical tasks. Unlike dedicated graphics cards, which are separate components, an iGPU shares system resources with the CPU, allowing for basic graphics capabilities without the need for an additional card. While typically less powerful than dedicated GPUs, iGPUs are energy-efficient and well-suited for everyday computing tasks

P-Cores: P-Cores (Performance Cores) are a type of processor technology developed by Intel that is designed to improve the performance of computer systems. This technology is based on the concept of multi-core processors, which are processors that contain multiple cores or processing units. P-Cores are designed to increase the speed and efficiency of computer systems by allowing multiple cores to work together in parallel. This technology is used in a variety of applications, including gaming, video editing, and data analysis. P-Cores are also used in servers and other high-performance computing systems. The technology is also used in mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, to improve battery life and performance. P-Cores are an important part of the computer industry, as they allow for faster and more efficient computing.

SoC: A System-on-Chip (SoC) is a highly integrated semiconductor device that encapsulates various electronic components, including processors, memory, input/output interfaces, and often specialized hardware components, all on a single chip. SoCs are designed to provide a complete computing system or subsystem within a single chip package, offering enhanced performance, power efficiency, and compactness. They are commonly used in a wide range of devices, from smartphones and tablets to embedded systems and IoT devices, streamlining hardware complexity and facilitating efficient integration of multiple functions onto a single chip.