Tag: Intel

March 29, 2025
Intel Xe2 Battlemage GPUs Face Tough Competition from Nvidia
Key Takeaways
1. Intel’s Arc Battlemage B580 and B570 GPUs received positive reviews for their performance and competitive pricing.
2. Anticipation for the Arc B770 GPU was high among gamers looking for affordable high-end options.
3. Recent reports indicate that the development of the Arc B770 GPU may have been completely cancelled.
4. The B770 was expected to feature 16 GB of VRAM and up to 32 Intel Xe2 GPU cores, aiming to compete with high-end Nvidia GPUs.
5. There are rumors of a potential 24 GB Intel Battlemage card targeted at creative professionals, despite the cancellation of the B770.
Intel’s Arc Battlemage B580 and B570 GPUs made a notable impact when they were released not long ago. Our review of the B580 showcased its impressive performance at a price that is much more appealing than what AMD and Nvidia have offered up till now. This positive reception heightened anticipation for the upcoming Battlemage B770 GPU, especially for gamers seeking high-end PC gaming options without breaking the bank.
Rumors of Cancellation
However, recent reports suggest that Intel’s Arc B770 GPU may have been completely cancelled. According to frequent hardware insider, @jaykihn0 on X, when questioned about the Battlemage G31, the leaker stated that it has been “dead” since the third quarter of 2024. This indicates that the development of the high-end Intel GPU was halted in late 2024, at least for consumer purposes. Previous reports hinted that the B770 was already “doomed” even before its planned launch.
Specifications and Implications
The Arc B770 was expected to feature 16 GB of VRAM and could have included as many as 32 Intel Xe2 GPU cores. If these leaks are accurate, it would mean that Intel is entirely bypassing the high-end GPU sector in 2025. Nonetheless, there are rumors of a 24 GB Intel Battlemage card that might be aimed at creative professionals.
Prior leaks suggested that the Intel Arc B770 could have competed with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, positioning it against the newer Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti in the high-end market.
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Tags: Arc B770, GPU, Intel
March 16, 2025
Kirin X90 Processor Leak: Huawei’s Upcoming PC Chip Details
Key Takeaways
1. Huawei’s HiSilicon division is developing a new processor to compete with Intel in the PC market.
2. The new processor may use older 5nm or 7nm manufacturing processes but could still challenge Intel’s M3 chip.
3. The chip is expected to feature a similar instruction set to ARM, akin to Apple’s M series chips.
4. It will integrate DRAM technology, similar to advancements made by Apple and Intel.
5. The processor, likely named Kirin X90, is expected to launch by the end of March 2025.
As Intel continues to face various challenges, it appears that its products will encounter a fresh wave of competition from in-house chipsets developed by Huawei’s HiSilicon division.
New Processor for PCs
The new processor is rumored to be aimed at either desktop or laptop computers and is expected to feature a generic instruction set similar to ARM, which serves as the foundation for Apple’s growing M series chips. This could mean some interesting developments in the PC market.
Production Technology and Competition
While the upcoming HiSilicon offering may have to utilize older 5-nanometer (nm) or even 7nm manufacturing processes, it has reportedly posed a challenge to the M3 based on prior leaks. This indicates that even with older technology, it could still be competitive.
Integration and Launch Timeline
Additionally, it is believed that the new chip will incorporate DRAM, mirroring the advancements seen in modern chips from both Apple and Intel. Interestingly, it has been identified as a “CPU” in a recent leak, which features an official Chinese safety certification for such components, alongside certifications from other manufacturers like Longxin and Shentai Information Technology.
The insider information also hints that it will be officially launched as the Kirin X90, potentially by the end of March 2025, according to Digital Chat Station on Weibo.
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Tags: HiSilicon, Intel, Kirin X90
March 14, 2025
42-Core Intel CPU Architecture Makes a Comeback for Desktops
Key Takeaways
1. Intel has a history of canceling CPU designs, including the Royal Core project and Arrow Lake-S refresh.
2. New information suggests that the Intel Arrow Lake Refresh for both desktops and mobile devices has been revived.
3. The Arrow Lake-S Refresh will use the same interface as current Core Ultra 200 processors, allowing existing LGA 1851 motherboard users to upgrade without new hardware.
4. Leaks indicate that the Arrow Lake-S Refresh could feature up to 42 cores, potentially improving multi-core performance by 30-50%.
5. Readers should be cautious about the validity of the leaked information, as it is over 1.5 years old.
Intel has a history of canceling CPU designs, as suggested by various leaks. Just last year, many reports indicated that the company had scrapped Jim Keller’s Royal Core project and the upcoming Arrow Lake-S refresh. With the supposed cancellation of the Arrow Lake Refresh, it seemed like Intel wouldn’t have a counter to AMD’s Zen 5X3D and possibly even Zen 6 until the arrival of Nova Lake.
Intel’s Arrow Lake Refresh Resurfaces
However, new information suggests that the Intel Arrow Lake Refresh is back in action. According to a post by Golden Pig Upgrade Pack on Weibo, both the Intel Arrow Lake-S Refresh for desktops and the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh for mobile devices have supposedly been revived. The ARL-S Refresh will maintain the same interface as the current Core Ultra 200 desktop processors. This means that users with an LGA 1851 motherboard won’t have to invest in a new one.
Moreover, the leaker has mentioned that AI PCs “are getting bigger and stronger.” Since this is a machine translation, we may be missing some context, but it appears that both Arrow Lake S and Arrow Lake HX Refresh will feature more powerful NPUs and possibly additional cores.
Speculations on Performance
Unfortunately, there is a lack of current information regarding the specifications of the Arrow Lake-S Refresh and Arrow Lake-HX Refresh processors. Nonetheless, some hardware details were revealed in a leak from Moore’s Law Is Dead in 2023. According to MLID, the Arrow Lake-S Refresh could include up to 42 cores, combining 8 Lion Cove P-cores, 32 Symont E-cores, and 2 LP E-cores. As the ARL-R is expected to launch without hyperthreading, this top SKU will be restricted to 42 threads.
This high core count is likely to lead to a significant improvement in multi-core performance, with MLID estimating a 30-50% boost. However, the increase in single-core performance is projected to be only a modest single-digit percentage.
Caution on Information Validity
That being said, it’s uncertain how much of this leak remains valid, as it is over 1.5 years old. Therefore, readers should consider this information with a large grain of salt.
In conclusion, the revival of Arrow Lake-S Refresh and Arrow Lake-HX Refresh brings good news for Intel enthusiasts who have been waiting for something to cheer about in recent months. AMD has been leading the desktop CPU market without significant competition from Intel. Team Red has just introduced its latest Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Ryzen 9 9900X3D, which are designed for productivity while also delivering top-tier gaming performance.
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Tags: AMD Ryzen 9, Arrow Lake Refresh, Intel
March 6, 2025
Intel Partners with TSMC for Long-Term Strategy Amid 18A Yield Issues
Key Takeaways
1. Intel is delaying the production of its Panther Lake mobile processors due to low yields from its 18A semiconductor manufacturing process.
2. The company has formed a long-term alliance with TSMC to outsource wafer production, moving away from its goal to eliminate outsourcing.
3. TSMC’s manufacturing process for 3nm and 2nm technologies is more efficient than Intel’s current in-house capabilities.
4. The delay in Panther Lake production may push shipments to 2026, missing potential sales opportunities in late 2025.
5. Intel’s new strategy suggests a recognition of the advantages of partnering with TSMC for future production.
It has been recently reported that Intel is possibly delaying the production of its next-generation Panther Lake mobile processors due to disappointing yields from its own 18A semiconductor manufacturing process. In the latest Intel earnings call, the company revealed a long-term alliance with TSMC to outsource the wafers needed for making its processors. This call featured a discussion between Intel’s John Pitzer and Morgan Stanley’s Joe Moore, as transcribed by Seeking Alpha.
Challenges with In-House Production
Intel has faced difficulties in successfully bringing semiconductor manufacturing in-house, as the 18A process developed by Intel Foundry has not achieved satisfactory yields. Conversely, TSMC boasts a more seasoned and efficient manufacturing process for 3nm and 2nm technologies. During the earnings call, Intel’s Corporate Vice President of Investor Relations mentioned that the company has been outsourcing around 30% of its wafers, largely to TSMC, for some time. However, not long ago, Intel aimed to reduce this number to zero.
New Direction for Partnership
Currently, it seems Intel has adopted a new approach that includes a prolonged partnership with TSMC. Pitzer reportedly commented, “We think it’s always good to have at least some of our wafers with TSMC. They’re a great supplier. It creates a good competition between them and Intel Foundry.”
The announcement of this strategy comes soon after industry analyst Ming Chi Kuo indicated that production of Intel’s Panther Lake mobile processors has been postponed due to the underperformance of the 18A process. This delay means that the company will likely not be able to ship Panther Lake notebooks until 2026, causing them to miss potential sales in the fourth quarter of 2025. This will negatively impact the revenue, profits, and trust in the supply chain for the latter half of 2025.
Implications for Future Production
This strategic shift may indicate that Intel has acknowledged the benefits of a longer-term collaboration with TSMC. Still, it remains uncertain how this will influence the Panther Lake processors, which were expected to be the first mobile SoCs developed using the 18A process.
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Tags: Intel, Panther Lake, TSMC
March 4, 2025
Intel Panther Lake Notebooks Delayed Until 2026
Key Takeaways
1. Intel’s Panther Lake mobile system-on-chips (SoCs) release has been delayed until 2026 due to performance issues with the 18A semiconductor manufacturing process.
2. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that mass production for Panther Lake has shifted from early September 2025 to late 2025.
3. The delay could negatively impact Intel’s revenue, profits, and trust within the supply chain in the second half of 2025.
4. The 18A manufacturing method uses RibbonFET transistors and PowerVia technology, but performance yields have been disappointing.
5. Intel aims to compete with TSMC’s 2N process, but current results have not met expectations.
A recent report from a well-known analyst indicates that the release of Intel’s Panther Lake mobile system-on-chips (SoCs) has been delayed until 2026. The delay is attributed to the underwhelming performance of Intel’s 18A semiconductor manufacturing process, which incorporates RibbonFET transistors and PowerVia technology. Panther Lake is expected to be the next advancement in Team Blue’s line of notebook and mobile processors, promising major performance enhancements over the existing Meteor Lake processors.
Analyst Insights on Production Delays
Market analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who is recognized for his insights into Apple’s manufacturing supply chain, has provided new information from his latest review of Electronics Manufacturing Service (EMS), Original Design Manufacturing (ODM), and several brands. According to him, the mass production schedule for Intel’s Panther Lake (PTL) series has shifted from early September 2025 to the middle of the fourth quarter of 2025. Consequently, devices and notebooks powered by these Panther Lake chips might not reach consumers until 2026.
Impact on Intel’s Revenue and Trust
Initially, Intel had planned for production to begin in the second half of 2025, meaning this delay still falls within that timeframe. However, the inability to launch new products utilizing this new hardware could negatively affect Intel’s revenue, profits, and overall trust within the supply chain for the second half of 2025, as noted by the analyst.
Intel is facing delays in the production of PTL chips largely due to disappointing performance yields from its 18A manufacturing method. This method employs RibbonFET technology, a Gate-all-around (GAA) transistor that aims to enhance both density and performance. It also incorporates PowerVia, which is a backside-power delivery structure designed to boost cell utilization by 5 to 10% and improve ISO-power performance by as much as 4%, as stated by Intel. With this approach, Intel hopes to rival TSMC’s 2N process, but so far, the results have not met expectations, at least for the time being.
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Tags: 18A manufacturing process, Intel, Panther Lake
February 8, 2025
Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX vs Core i9-14900HX in Cinebench R23
At the CES 2025 event, Intel didn’t provide any official benchmarks for its Arrow Lake HX CPUs. Instead, they made some unclear claims about how much better these new processors perform compared to previous generations, which is notable since this is the first true HX-class CPU from Intel in two generations. However, a leaked score from Cinebench R23 (shared by @94G8LA on X) for the Core Ultra 9 275HX gives us some insight into the situation.
Performance Insights
The Core Ultra 9 275HX achieved a score of 2,161 in the Cinebench R23 single-core test. This is a bit lower than what the older Core i9-14900HX managed, which averaged 2,181 points in our benchmark records. On a brighter note, the Core Ultra 9 275HX excelled in the multicore test, scoring 35,481 points, which is an 18% improvement over its Raptor Lake predecessor.
Future Expectations
While this score might see slight improvements with upcoming BIOS updates and other tweaks, it’s evident that the Arrow Lake HX series won’t dramatically outpace Raptor Lake, particularly in gaming scenarios. This raises some concerns, especially since many high-end gaming laptops introduced at CES 2025 are equipped with the Core Ultra 9 275HX. Interestingly, Intel also has a higher-spec version called the Core Ultra 9 285HX that hasn’t yet been used in any devices, making one wonder why manufacturers chose the 275HX instead.
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Tags: CES 2025, Core Ultra 9 275HX, Intel
February 8, 2025
Intel Nova Lake Desktop CPUs Rumored to Feature Up to 52 Cores
Intel is planning to launch its next series of desktop CPUs, known as ‘Nova Lake’, in 2026, though there are many speculations regarding their specifications. Recent leaks suggest that one configuration could feature a whopping 52 cores, which is more than twice that of the previous models. Right now, not much is known about the Nova Lake CPUs or the Arrow Lake Refresh, which might not follow the expected trends.
Configuration Insights
A popular leaker, using the handle @Jaykihn, responded to an earlier leak on X that outlined potential configurations for the four anticipated Nova Lake CPUs. The initial report mentioned 48 cores, consisting of 16 Performance cores (P cores) and 32 Efficient cores (E cores) for the Nova Lake S CPU. However, Jaykihn revealed that there are also 4 Low-power Efficiency cores (LP E cores) included in this setup, bringing the total to 52 cores. Likewise, the Nova Lake HX CPU is rumored to have 28 cores rather than the previously thought 24, and the Nova Lake H CPU might come with 16 cores instead of only 12.
Core Specifications
In addition, the leaker has confirmed that these CPUs will include Coyote Cove P cores and Arctic Wolf E/LP E cores. It is anticipated that the Nova Lake series will be part of Intel’s Core Ultra 400 series, while the Arrow Lake Refresh will likely offer Core Ultra 300 series processors.
Earlier, it was thought that Intel would increase the number of E cores to 32 for an Arrow Lake Refresh SKU, which, along with 8 Lion Cove P cores, would mean a total of 40 cores. However, another well-known leaker recently dismissed this rumor on the Chinese platform Weibo, suggesting that Intel may only enhance the NPU aspect of the chip.
Unofficial Speculations
As highlighted before, these are merely speculations, and there is no confirmed information about the configurations or how many SKUs will be available for Nova Lake or Arrow Lake Refresh processors.
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Tags: Arrow Lake Refresh, Intel, Nova Lake
January 31, 2025
Intel Unveils 2025-2026 Client Processor Plans, Cancels Falcon Shore
2024 hasn’t been very promising for Intel, especially with CEO Pat Gelsinger resigning. The recent quarterly earnings report clearly indicates that Team Blue still faces challenges. However, Intel is trying to reassure investors that at least the client roadmap for the upcoming years remains on schedule. This was explained by co-CEO Michelle Johnston Holthaus during the Q4 2024 earnings call.
Panther Lake CPUs on the Horizon
The next stage in the client roadmap is the Panther Lake CPU family. According to Johnston Holthaus, this will be the first generation utilizing the 18A nodes. Both volume production and the launch are set for the second half of 2025. Similarly to Lunar Lake, Panther Lake is expected to debut on laptops first. While details about the desktop versions of Panther Lake were not officially revealed, these chips might also be launched in late 2025, perhaps under a different name, akin to how Arrow Lake followed Lunar Lake.
Future with Nova Lake
Additionally, co-CEO Johnston Holthaus discussed the Nova Lake family, which is planned for 2026. It remains uncertain if this will directly succeed Panther Lake or if it will be the desktop series stemming from Panther Lake. Johnston Holthaus emphasized that both Panther Lake and Nova Lake “will provide strong performance across the entire PC stack,” suggesting a focus on desktop CPUs.
Falcon Shore’s Shift in Plans
On a different note, Intel’s Falcon Shore XPU/GPU, aimed at data centers to compete with established Nvidia’s AI GPUs and AMD’s Instinct lineup, is no longer going to be launched as a consumer product. Johnston Holthaus clarified that Falcon Shore will instead stay as “an internal test chip” that will assist in the development of the next generation Jaguar Shores.
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Tags: Falcon Shore, Intel, Panther Lake
January 30, 2025
Intel Linux Driver Update: Tips for New Arc Battlemage GPUs
Intel’s Arc B580 and Arc B570 GPUs have made a significant impact since their release earlier this year, providing gamers with a budget-friendly option for mid-range and 1080p gaming. The Arc B570 is priced at just $234.99 on Amazon, making it an attractive choice. However, many gamers are still curious about the absence of high-end gaming GPUs from Intel, and recent updates to Intel’s Linux drivers hint that answers might be on the way.
New Developments in Intel GPUs
Tomasz Gawroński shared a screenshot on X indicating that Intel has integrated three new Battlemage GPUs (noted as BMG in the changelog) into its Linux driver. While there are no specifics about these new GPUs, there’s speculation that Intel could be preparing to unveil more than just a single higher-priced GPU. The likely candidates for a new Arc GPU are the Arc B770 or B780, which were reportedly delayed last year. However, the emergence of these new SKUs in the Linux driver raises questions about what Intel is actually planning.
Anticipated Variants and VRAM Upgrades
Gawroński and his followers speculate that Intel might be set to introduce two new SKUs for the B570 and B580, particularly versions with increased VRAM. Many gamers feel that anything under 16 GB of VRAM is no longer sufficient, suggesting that Intel may be recognizing the need for higher memory options with the 10 GB and 12 GB variants of the Arc B570 and B580. Currently, the B580 and B570 utilize 2 GB memory dies, which makes it relatively easy to scale up memory quantities; however, earlier leaks hinted at a 24 GB Arc B580 Pro GPU possibly being in the pipeline.
At this moment, it appears likely that Intel will release higher-VRAM variations of the Arc B580, in addition to either the B770 or B780, or perhaps both.
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Tags: Arc B580, Battlemage GPUs, Intel
January 29, 2025
Intel Advocates for Upgradable and Repairable Laptops
Framework laptops have shown us a new way to think about computers. They let users swap out or upgrade parts, which is really smart. Usually, the screen, keyboard, and outer casing last a long time, but the processor gets old after just a few years.
Market Limitations
The main problem is that laptops that can be upgraded and repaired are still a tiny part of the overall laptop market. Because of low sales, buyers have to deal with a small range of parts, and they tend to be more expensive.
Intel’s Proposal
This is where Intel steps in with a well-thought-out idea. To be specific, it would let users change individual components on their own. This system has two stages and offers a level of customization that Framework can’t match right now.
The typical laptop sizes that people prefer are 14 and 16 inches. There will be options for both high-end and regular models, each equipped with ports on either side, plus a motherboard that can be easily swapped or upgraded.
New Additions
Another benefit, which was mainly found in desktop computers, will also be included. There will be standardized sizes and connections for fans, which can even be left out for a completely noiseless laptop. Plus, a laptop initially used for basic office tasks could be upgraded into a gaming machine by adding a specialized graphics card and enhanced cooling, making it more versatile overall.
Intel hasn’t said anything about potential partners or other ideas, nor have they provided a timeline. Beyond just helping laptop owners, this approach could also help the environment by greatly cutting down on electronic waste.
Cost Savings
Moreover, consumers could save a lot of cash and ensure that their attractive OLED laptop won’t end up with an outdated chipset in just three years. Instead, they could upgrade the processor for a small fraction of the cost of a new laptop.
Even Apple might see advantages from this shift. The company already discourages users from making independent upgrades or changes, and if Intel-powered laptops become fully modular, MacBooks could be perceived as even more exclusive.
So, we could finally see laptops that are easy to repair and upgrade after all.
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Tags: Framework, Intel, modular laptops