Intel’s Xeon Clearwater Forest “E-Core” CPUs: 17 Chiplets Unveiled, Including 18A Compute, 3nm Base, and 7nm I/O Dies

Intel is set to launch its Xeon Clearwater Forest "E-Core" CPUs, featuring 17 chiplets, aiming to regain process leadership in the market.

Introduction of chiplet lineup for desktop market
Utilization of advanced manufacturing processes (20A, 3nm, 7nm) for improved performance and efficiency
Potential for increased production capacity and reduced competition with offering of Foveros Direct technology to competitors

Intel is set to release its Xeon Clearwater Forest “E-Core” CPUs, which will feature 17 chiplets including 18A compute, 3nm base, and 7nm I/O dies. This launch comes as Intel aims to regain its process leadership over its Taiwanese rival.

The upcoming 15th Gen Arrow Lake processors will mark Intel’s entry into the chiplet lineup for the desktop market. The primary compute die, housing the CPU cores, will be manufactured on the Intel 20A node. On the other hand, the tGPU die will be fabricated on TSMC’s 3nm process. Following Arrow Lake, Lunar Lake will be introduced, upgrading the compute die to 18A. Clearwater Forest, the server counterpart, will also be launched.

Clearwater Forest is designed with a cloud-centric approach and serves as the successor to Sierra Forest. It is expected to feature up to 288 cores, utilizing the Atom-class Darkmont architecture. These Darkmont E-Cores will be distributed across 12 chiplets, manufactured on the Intel 18A process. The 18A compute tiles will be stacked in groups of four on three base tiles, which will be fabricated on the Intel 3 node. The base tiles will house the CPU L3 cache and VRMs, components that see minimal gains with node shrinks. Additionally, the I/O dies, responsible for connectivity and inter-chip data transfer, will be placed on the top and bottom ends of the package and manufactured on the Intel 7 process.

In total, Clearwater Forest comprises 17 tiles, with most of them being 3D stacked on the base tiles using Foveros Direct technology. This design prioritizes bandwidth while keeping Latency and power consumption within acceptable limits. High-density interconnect bumps are used to connect similar sets of dies, a technique similar to TSMC’s CoWoS packaging method.

Interestingly, Intel Foundry plans to offer Foveros Direct to its competitors, aiming to shift some production capacity from Taiwan to the United States. This move is expected to attract chipmakers looking for larger shares, reduced competition, appealing prices, and geopolitical security.

Intel’s Xeon Clearwater Forest “E-Core” CPUs represent a significant step forward for the company as it seeks to regain its process leadership. With its chiplet lineup and advanced manufacturing processes, Intel aims to deliver improved performance and efficiency to both desktop and server markets.

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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.

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

chiplet: Chiplets are a new type of technology that is revolutionizing the computer industry. They are small, modular components that can be used to build powerful computing systems. Chiplets are designed to be used in combination with other components, such as processors, memory, and storage, to create a complete system. This allows for more efficient and cost-effective production of computers, as well as more powerful and versatile systems. Chiplets can be used to create powerful gaming PCs, high-end workstations, and even supercomputers. They are also being used in the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning applications. Chiplets are an exciting new technology that is changing the way we build and use computers.

chiplets: Chiplets are a new type of technology that is revolutionizing the computer industry. They are small, modular components that can be used to build a variety of computer systems. Chiplets are designed to be highly efficient and cost-effective, allowing for the creation of powerful and complex systems without the need for large, expensive components. They are also highly customizable, allowing for the creation of systems tailored to specific needs. Chiplets are being used in a variety of applications, from high-end gaming PCs to embedded systems and even supercomputers. They are also being used to create powerful AI systems, allowing for the development of more advanced and intelligent machines. Chiplets are revolutionizing the computer industry, allowing for the creation of powerful and efficient systems at a fraction of the cost.

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.

Foundry: A foundry is a dedicated manufacturing facility focused on producing semiconductor components like integrated circuits (ICs) for external clients. These foundries are pivotal in the semiconductor industry, providing diverse manufacturing processes and technologies to create chips based on designs from fabless semiconductor firms or other customers. This setup empowers companies to concentrate on innovative design without needing substantial investments in manufacturing infrastructure. Some well-known foundries include TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), Samsung Foundry, GlobalFoundries, and UMC (United Microelectronics Corporation).

L3 cache: L3 cache is a type of computer memory that is used to store frequently used data and instructions. It is located between the processor and main memory, and is used to reduce the amount of time it takes for the processor to access data from main memory. This helps to improve the overall performance of the computer. In the computer industry, L3 cache is used in many applications, such as gaming, video editing, and web browsing. It can also be used to improve the performance of servers and other high-performance computing tasks. By providing faster access to data, L3 cache can help to reduce the amount of time it takes for a computer to complete a task.

Latency: Technology latency is the time it takes for a computer system to respond to a request. It is an important factor in the performance of computer systems, as it affects the speed and efficiency of data processing. In the computer industry, latency is a major factor in the performance of computer networks, storage systems, and other computer systems. Low latency is essential for applications that require fast response times, such as online gaming, streaming media, and real-time data processing. High latency can cause delays in data processing, resulting in slow response times and poor performance. To reduce latency, computer systems use various techniques such as caching, load balancing, and parallel processing. By reducing latency, computer systems can provide faster response times and improved performance.

Xeon: The Intel Xeon processor is a powerful and reliable processor used in many computer systems. It is a multi-core processor that is designed to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. It is used in servers, workstations, and high-end desktop computers. It is also used in many embedded systems, such as routers and switches. The Xeon processor is known for its high performance and scalability, making it a popular choice for many computer applications. It is also used in many cloud computing applications, as it is capable of handling large amounts of data and providing high levels of performance. The Xeon processor is also used in many scientific and engineering applications, as it is capable of handling complex calculations and simulations.