Intel’s 2024 CPU Roadmap: Lunar Lake & Arrow Lake Forge Path to Innovation

Intel is set to revolutionize the world of AI processors with its upcoming releases, Arrow Lake and Lunar Lake. These next-generation chips promise to deliver three times the AI performance of their predecessor, Meteor Lake. With Lunar Lake targeting mobility PCs and Arrow Lake focusing on desktops, Intel aims to solidify its position as a leading chipmaker in both markets.

Initially, it was expected that Arrow and Lunar Lake would utilize Intel’s 20A and 18A process nodes for their CPU tiles, respectively. These next-gen GAA transistors (RibbonFET) and backside power delivery (PowerVia) would have made a strong statement to competitors and skeptics. However, it seems that Intel will instead rely on TSMC’s 3nm (N3B) process, surprising many industry observers.

Lunar Lake processors are scheduled to ship next quarter, with production wafers already in labs. These chips will power the next generation of AI PCs, boasting an upgraded CPU, GPU, and NPU on a 3nm-class node. The Lunar Lake (Core Ultra 200V) will feature Lion Cove P-core and Skymont E-core architectures. The GPU will introduce the Battlemage graphics architecture (Xe2), while the NPU will deliver an impressive 45 TOPs of AI throughput (100 TOPs+ for the entire SoC). Targeting high-end notebooks and convertibles, Lunar Lake will be marketed as an always-on PC SoC, featuring soldered, 3D stacked DRAM modules alongside the CPU and SoC tiles. While this design saves board space, it limits upgradability and repair options. Consumers can expect notebooks featuring Lunar Lake to hit the market around the holiday season in Q4 2024.

Arrow Lake-S processors are also expected to launch in the fourth quarter alongside Lunar Lake. These will be Intel’s first chiplet-based desktop processors, comprising CPU, iGPU, I/O, and SoC tiles. The CPU tiles will be fabricated using the Intel 20A and TSMC N3B node, while the iGPU tile will be produced using the N3 or N4 process. Arrow Lake will feature the Lion Cove and Skymont core architecture, with the iGPU based on the Xe-LPG architecture. While offering modest performance improvements over Meteor Lake, Arrow Lake will also incorporate an NPU block. Notably, this will be Intel’s first client processor to drop hyper-threading in a long time.

Looking ahead to Intel’s CPU roadmap for 2025-26, Panther Lake and Nova Lake are on the horizon. Panther Lake, fabricated on the Intel 18A node, will be a mobile-centric design powered by “Cougar Cove” P cores and “Darkmont” E cores. With a new die layout accommodating up to 12 cores, including 4P, 8E, and 4LPE, Panther Lake is expected to arrive by the end of 2025. Nova Lake, the true successor to Arrow Lake, will feature up to 40 cores (16P + 32E) and will be fabricated on the Intel 14A node. Nova Lake will adopt P-Cores capable of leveraging Rentable Units and Arctic Wolf E-Cores. These CPUs are anticipated to offer high-cache variants similar to AMD’s 3D V-Cache chips. Intel plans to launch Nova Lake in late 2026.

While there may be an Arrow Lake-S Refresh before Nova Lake, featuring increased core counts and potentially enhanced cache, the architecture will remain the same. This refresh is expected to offer up to 40 cores (16P + 32E) at the top of the stack, along with increased core clocks and competitive pricing.

Intel’s CPU roadmap for the coming years showcases the company’s commitment to innovation and pushing the boundaries of AI processing power. With Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake leading the charge in 2024, and Panther Lake and Nova Lake on the horizon for 2025-26, Intel is poised to make significant strides in both the mobility PC and desktop markets. As competition heats up, it will be fascinating to see how these new processors fare against rival products.

Background Information

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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.

  

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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.

  

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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.

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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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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.

  

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Technology Explained

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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.

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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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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.

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GPU: GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit and is a specialized type of processor designed to handle graphics-intensive tasks. It is used in the computer industry to render images, videos, and 3D graphics. GPUs are used in gaming consoles, PCs, and mobile devices to provide a smooth and immersive gaming experience. They are also used in the medical field to create 3D models of organs and tissues, and in the automotive industry to create virtual prototypes of cars. GPUs are also used in the field of artificial intelligence to process large amounts of data and create complex models. GPUs are becoming increasingly important in the computer industry as they are able to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.

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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

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NPU: NPU, or Neural Processing Unit, is a type of specialized processor that is designed to handle complex artificial intelligence tasks. It is inspired by the structure and function of the human brain, with the ability to process and analyze large amounts of data simultaneously. In the computer industry, NPU technology is being used in various applications such as speech recognition, image and video processing, and natural language processing. This allows computers to perform tasks that were previously only possible for humans, making them more efficient and intelligent. NPU technology is also being integrated into smartphones, self-driving cars, and other devices, making them smarter and more responsive to user needs. With the increasing demand for AI-driven technology, the use of NPU is expected to grow and revolutionize the way we interact with computers in the future.

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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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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.

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