Intel’s 15th Gen Arrow Lake CPUs: Hyper-Threading – Enabled or Unsupported?

Intel's 15th Gen Arrow Lake CPUs will not support hyper-threading, raising questions about the company's motivations and potential alternatives for the technology.

Improved single-threaded performance: By removing hyper-threading, Intel may be able to allocate more resources towards enhancing single-threaded performance, which can benefit users who rely on applications that do not utilize multiple threads effectively.
Potential for better power efficiency: Hyper-threading has been criticized for not always delivering significant performance gains while consuming more power. By eliminating hyper-threading, Intel may be able to improve power efficiency in its 15th Gen Arrow Lake CPUs.
Clarity on Intel's processor architecture: The decision to remove hyper-threading in the Arrow Lake CPUs provides insight into Intel's future plans for its processors. It signals a shift away from hyper-threading and raises questions about the company's motivations and potential alternatives.

Intel’s 15th Gen Arrow Lake CPUs: Hyper-Threading – Enabled or Unsupported?

Intel has been making significant changes to its processors ever since it shifted to a heterogeneous core architecture. These changes include the introduction of the Thread Director, the removal of AVX512 support, and now, the abandonment of hyper-threading, also known as Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT). While this news may not come as a surprise to many, it is the first time that Intel’s internal documentation of the 15th Gen Arrow Lake CPUs explicitly mentions the absence of hyper-threading.

Leaked internal documents, brought to light by YuuKi_Ans, reveal that a pre-alpha sample of the Arrow Lake CPU lacks hyper-threading. The documentation explicitly states that each of the “Lion Cove” P-Cores, which are part of the Arrow Lake architecture, only supports a single thread. This is consistent with the “Skymont” P/Atom cores. Interestingly, the leaked sample also exhibits instability when running the P-cores, leading to their disabling from the firmware.

This revelation raises an intriguing question: will Arrow Lake CPUs architecturally support hyper-threading, and if so, will it be disabled from the BIOS like AVX512 on early 12th Gen chips? The decision to remove SMT without a suitable replacement seems somewhat unnecessary. It leaves us wondering whether hyper-threading was eliminated because it failed to provide any significant performance advantages or because early plans for Rentable Units, Intel’s alternative solution, didn’t pan out as expected.

Hyper-threading has long been a feature that Intel processors have boasted, allowing for improved multitasking capabilities and better utilization of CPU resources. By enabling multiple threads to run simultaneously on a single core, hyper-threading enhances overall performance and responsiveness. However, it appears that Intel is now shifting its focus away from this technology.

The move away from hyper-threading could be seen as a strategic decision by Intel to prioritize other aspects of CPU performance. It is worth noting that hyper-threading has faced criticism in the past for not always delivering substantial gains in certain workloads. By removing hyper-threading, Intel may be aiming to allocate more resources towards enhancing other areas, such as single-threaded performance or power efficiency.

Nevertheless, the absence of hyper-threading in the Arrow Lake CPUs raises concerns among enthusiasts and professionals who rely on the technology for their demanding workloads. Hyper-threading has become a standard feature in modern processors, and its removal may impact users who heavily rely on multitasking or running resource-intensive applications.

It remains to be seen whether Intel will provide an alternative solution to compensate for the removal of hyper-threading in the Arrow Lake CPUs. The leaked documentation does not shed light on this matter, leaving us with more questions than answers. As Intel continues to refine its 15th Gen processors, it is crucial for the company to address these concerns and provide clarity on the future of hyper-threading and its replacement, if any.

In conclusion, Intel’s decision to abandon hyper-threading in its 15th Gen Arrow Lake CPUs marks a significant shift in the company’s processor architecture. While the leaked internal documents confirm the absence of hyper-threading in a pre-alpha sample, it remains uncertain whether Arrow Lake CPUs will support hyper-threading in their final versions. The removal of hyper-threading raises questions about Intel’s motivations and potential alternatives. As we eagerly await further updates from Intel, it is clear that the future of hyper-threading hangs in the balance, leaving users and enthusiasts curious about the performance implications of this decision.

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Background Information

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.

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Technology Explained

AVX512: AVX512 is a set of instructions used in modern computer processors to increase the speed and efficiency of certain operations. It stands for Advanced Vector Extensions 512, and it is an extension of the previous AVX instruction set. AVX512 is used in many applications, such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data analysis. It is also used in high-performance computing, where it can help speed up complex calculations. By using AVX512, computers can process more data faster and with greater accuracy. This makes it an invaluable tool for businesses and organizations that rely on large amounts of data.

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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.

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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.

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SMT: Simultaneous multithreading (SMT) is a technology that allows a CPU core to process two tasks (threads) simultaneously. It is crucial to the swift operation of modern-day CPUs. SMT is AMD’s brand of multithreading, while Hyperthreading is Intel’s