Intel’s 16th Gen Arrow Lake-R: 40 Cores, No Hyper-Threading or Rentable Units Until Late 2026

Intel’s 16th Gen Arrow Lake-R: 40 Cores, No Hyper-Threading or Rentable Units Until Late 2026

Intel has been stirring up the tech world with its upcoming processor releases. The 14th Gen Meteor Lake processors are set to arrive during the holiday season, followed by the 15th Gen Arrow Lake products about a year later. While Meteor Lake will utilize Intel’s 4nm-class process node, Arrow Lake will take advantage of the 20A or 2nm-class lithography.

Arrow Lake is expected to feature 8 P-Cores based on the Lion Cove architecture and 16 cores based on the Skymont core architecture. Additionally, two LP cores will be included on the SoC for low-power scenarios. However, it is disappointing news that the 15th Gen Arrow Lake family will not include hyper-threading or any “Rentable Units.” Instead, it will prioritize single-threaded performance with a projected improvement of 25-40% compared to Raptor Lake.

Lunar Lake, on the other hand, will be a premium mobile SoC designed for 7-15W devices, succeeding Lakefield. It will incorporate 4+4+2 cores based on the Lion Cove “P,” Skymont “E,” and LP E-Cores.

Looking ahead, Intel has plans for the 16th Gen Arrow Lake Refresh (ARL-R) which will feature increased core counts and higher clocks. With up to 40 cores (8P + 32E + 2LP), the ARL-R will retain the core architectures of its predecessor and maintain the same process node. Similar to the Raptor Lake-R, it is expected to offer slightly higher single-threaded performance and significantly improved multi-threaded capabilities. The Arrow Lake Refresh is slated for release in the second half of 2025.

In the first half of 2026, Intel will introduce Panther Lake, equipped with Cougar Cove “P” and Darkmont “E” cores. This CPU tile will be manufactured on the Intel 18A (1.8nm) node and feature a 4P + 8E + 4LP core configuration. However, like its predecessors, Panther Lake will not incorporate Rentable Units.

Finally, in the last months of 2026, Intel plans to launch Nova Lake. This processor will boast an impressive core count of 48 (16P + 32E + 4LP) and introduce Rentable Unit supported P-cores and Arctic Wold E-cores. Nova Lake will be fabricated on Intel’s 14A (1.4nm) process node, promising a substantial increase in IPC (Instructions Per Cycle) and a massive LLC (Last Level Cache) of up to 144MB or more.

Intel’s roadmap for its upcoming processor generations showcases the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance and efficiency. While some features may be absent in certain iterations, the overall advancements in single-threaded and multi-threaded capabilities are sure to excite tech enthusiasts and professionals alike. With each release, Intel aims to solidify its position as a leader in the CPU market, offering powerful solutions for a wide range of computing needs.

Background Information

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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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Technology Explained

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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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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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