Tag: Intel

January 22, 2025
AMD Surpasses Intel in Desktop CPU Market Share, Faces Laptop APU Challenges
The well-known PassMark CPU benchmark database has refreshed its market share charts for the first quarter of 2025. The initial graph on the site, which encompasses all CPUs, shows Intel holding a significant lead with 59.5%. In contrast, AMD is performing quite well with a market share of 38.8%. Apple and Qualcomm also appear, but their shares are quite small, at 1.2% and 0.2% respectively. Nonetheless, the upcoming Snapdragon X series chips may boost Qualcomm’s market presence soon.
Desktop CPU Insights
The second graph provides a more captivating insight into the desktop CPU market. One might expect Intel to be the clear leader, as AMD has only achieved greater market share a couple of times—once in 2021 and earlier in 2006 when the Athlon 64 and Athlon 64 X2 were popular. Surprisingly, AMD now holds 50.1% compared to Intel’s 48.5%. This shift began in the latter half of 2024, largely due to the positive reception of the Granite Ridge Zen 5-based Ryzen 9000 processors. An impressive 880 samples of the Ryzen 9 9950X, which is currently priced at $589.99 on Amazon, have been tested, while Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K has only seen 319 samples benchmarked.
Laptop Market Trends
However, the laptop market share graph tells a different story for fans of AMD. Although this data is drawn from SKUs assessed on the site, PassMark asserts that over one million CPUs have been evaluated, providing a realistic view of the CPU landscape. Intel remains overwhelmingly dominant in the laptop segment, holding a substantial 73.6% market share, having peaked at 92.2% in Q2 2017. Although AMD made headway in gaining market share with its Zen microarchitecture iterations, its growth has stagnated since late 2020.
In 2020, Apple introduced its silicon with the M1 chip to disrupt the market, achieving an 8.5% share by the end of 2021, mostly at Intel’s expense. In Q1 2024, Apple struggled again, facing off against Intel while AMD remained steady at around 20-22%. Noteworthy Ryzen 4000 laptops with non-PRO Zen 2 Renoir APUs, like the Acer Swift 3 SF314-42 and the Schenker XMG Core 15, have encouraged consumers and OEMs to explore AMD’s mobile chips due to their exceptional performance and efficiency. However, factors such as supply shortages, heightened competition, OEM deals, and Intel’s long-held dominance have left AMD Ryzen laptops somewhat sidelined, despite the strong processors they contain.
PassMark’s updated graphs reveal the shifting landscape of the CPU market, with Intel still leading but AMD making notable inroads, especially in desktop CPUs. The laptop segment, however, still largely favors Intel, highlighting the challenges AMD faces in that arena.
Source:
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Tags: AMD Ryzen 9000, Apple M1, Intel
January 6, 2025
Intel Arrow Lake H vs AMD Strix Point: CES 2025 Highlights
Intel has rolled out its latest Core Ultra 200 series, showcasing a diverse range of CPU designs that aim to cater to different user needs. The Lunar Lake, known as the Core Ultra 200V, shines in efficiency, boasts impressive integrated GPU performance, and provides extensive battery life. However, it falls short in multithreaded CPU performance. On the other hand, the newly unveiled Intel Arrow Lake HX, or Core Ultra 200HX, promises robust performance but is not ideal for low power consumption or mobility.
Balanced Performance
Filling the gap between these extremes is the Intel Arrow Lake H lineup. The Core Ultra 200H is designed to strike a balance between mobility and performance, offering users more options than the CPUs found at either end of Intel’s spectrum. This new series aims to meet the needs of those looking for both portability and power.
New Offerings for 2025
Intel is launching five new Arrow Lake H CPUs, all set to debut in laptops in the first quarter of 2025. These CPUs feature 16 cores, matching the core count of their predecessor, the Intel Meteor Lake H, also referred to as Core Ultra 100H. Unlike the 2024 generation, the Arrow Lake’s cores are based on the Lunar Lake design, incorporating Lion Cove P cores and Skymont E cores. Notably, these CPUs are produced by TSMC using their efficient N3 node, rather than Intel’s own foundry.
The improved efficiency of Arrow Lake H over the previous Redwood Core P and Crestmont E cores, which were built on Intel 4, is expected to enhance battery life in laptops. Intel asserts that performance will also see an increase, even though Lion Cove now operates without hyperthreading. The company claims a 15% performance boost compared to Meteor Lake H, despite having a lower thread count (Ultra 9 185H: 22 threads, Ultra 9 285H: 16 threads).
GPU and AI Enhancements
On the GPU front, Arrow Lake does not introduce major changes, retaining the Xe cores from Meteor Lake. However, it now features new XMX, which Intel believes will enhance AI capabilities for the GPU and improve gaming performance as well. The NPU technology from Meteor Lake remains unchanged, maintaining a performance level of 11 TOPS. Nevertheless, Intel notes that the H series chips are still formidable in AI tasks, with the total platform TOPS (including CPU, GPU, and NPU) reaching 99 TOPS.
When it comes to power consumption, the H class chips are optimized to run at a TDP of 28 W, except for the Ultra 9, which operates at 45 W. The maximum power draw of these CPUs can be configured by OEMs, allowing settings of up to 115 W or down to 60 W. This flexibility highlights the advantages of the H series over other Intel CPU ranges.
Exciting Features Ahead
A new addition for this generation of Intel H class CPUs is the support for Thunderbolt 5. Additionally, the Arrow Lake H series marks the introduction of a single PCIe Gen 5 lane, enabling faster PCIe Gen 5 storage solutions. Intel’s latest offerings appear to provide a well-rounded experience for users looking for both performance and efficiency.
Source: Link
Tags: Arrow Lake-H, Core Ultra 200H, Intel
December 17, 2024
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13: Intel’s Breakthrough Battery Life
Customers who purchased Intel laptops over the last few years had to deal with poor battery life. The problem stemmed from Intel struggling to make its CPUs efficient without compromising on performance.
The Alder Lake Generation’s Flaws
The Alder Lake series was perhaps the worst in this regard. The 12th gen Core i CPUs brought a new hybrid design that Intel took from ARM, featuring large P cores and smaller E cores. The “E” stands for “Efficiency,” raising hopes that these laptops would enjoy improved battery life. Unfortunately, “Efficiency” turned out to mean “maximizing multicore performance.” As a result, Alder Lake actually provided less battery life than the previous 11th gen Tiger Lake CPUs.
Progress with Raptor Lake and Meteor Lake
Intel addressed these issues with the subsequent Raptor Lake and Meteor Lake CPUs, but the battery performance still lagged behind competitors. Then came Intel’s Lunar Lake. This first CPU mostly produced by TSMC finally enhances processor efficiency, leading to better battery life.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon: A Case Study
A great example illustrating Intel’s progress—or lack thereof over recent years—is the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon. We recently tested the latest Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 featuring Lunar Lake. Since 2021, Lenovo has kept the battery capacity unchanged at 57 Wh. We also evaluated each generation with the available 2.8K OLED display, making it perfect for comparing battery life and Intel’s efficiency.
The statistics are revealing: while the Alder Lake variant of the X1 Carbon barely lasted five hours in our Wi-Fi test (at 150 cd/m² brightness), the newest Gen 13 model achieves nearly eleven hours—more than double. Our findings also indicate that Alder Lake (12th Gen Core i) and Raptor Lake (13th Gen Core i) represented a regression compared to Tiger Lake (11th Gen Core i). Only the Meteor Lake version (Core Ultra Series 1) of the X1 Carbon Gen 12 (available on Amazon) finally matched the efficiency levels of Tiger Lake. With Lunar Lake (Core Ultra Series 2), the performance sees a significant boost, which is why we consider the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 the best X1 Carbon to date.
Source: Link
Tags: battery life, Intel, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13
December 13, 2024
Ryzen AI 7 350 ‘Krackan Point’ Outperforms Ryzen 7 & Core Ultra
CES 2025 is gearing up to be an exciting showdown for high-performance laptop chips, with both AMD and Intel ready to introduce new premium mobile processors. Intel is anticipated to reveal its Arrow Lake-H/X series, while AMD is set to unveil its highly awaited Strix Halo products. Interestingly, there’s buzz about AMD launching a new 8-core APU called Krackan Point, which has recently appeared on Geekbench.
Details About the New APU
The 8-core APU, probably branded as the Ryzen AI 350, features four Zen 5 cores and four Zen 5c cores, boasting a maximum clock speed of 5.05 GHz, as shown in a recent Geekbench report shared by our friends at Videocardz. It was evaluated in an Acer Swift laptop, achieving single-core and multi-core scores of 2,677 and 11,742, respectively. This puts the APU ahead of the Ryzen 7 8845HS and the Core Ultra 7 256V ‘Lunar Lake’ chips, though Apple’s entry-level M4 MacBook Pro still leads the pack.
What’s Next for Krackan Point?
At this time, specifics about the forthcoming Krackan Point APU remain unclear. However, we suspect that it will likely feature Strix Point‘s XDNA 2 NPU along with a Radeon 860M integrated GPU. The Strix Halo products are expected to carry the Ryzen AI Max label and will likely have a robust iGPU capable of competing with the RTX 4060 Laptop GPU. Intel’s Arrow Lake-HX lineup will also make its appearance, but who will emerge as the champion in this x86 battle is still uncertain.
Source: Link
Tags: amd, Intel, Ryzen AI 350
December 13, 2024
TSMC Founder: Intel Should Focus on AI, Not Foundry Business
Morris Chang, the founder of TSMC, recently critiqued Intel’s approach. He stated that the company should have placed greater emphasis on AI development instead of attempting to pivot into a contract chip manufacturing role. These remarks were made at the launch of his autobiography on Monday.
Intel’s Leadership Changes
This statement follows the resignation of Intel’s CEO, Pat Gelsinger. The board was dissatisfied with the progress of Gelsinger’s bold turnaround strategy, which was failing to deliver results. During Gelsinger’s tenure, Intel aimed to regain its status as the leading manufacturer of chips for external clients, a title currently held by TSMC.
Chang’s Critique
"Compared to AI, he appeared to concentrate more on becoming a foundry. Obviously, it now looks like Gelsinger should have prioritized AI instead," Chang remarked, taking a shot at Intel’s strategic direction. He also pointed out that Intel lacks both a definitive strategy and a CEO, labeling it a challenging scenario.
Chang’s comments resonate strongly, particularly in light of Intel’s recent difficulties with AI. The company disclosed that it will not meet its $500 million sales goal for its Gaudi 3 AI accelerators this year, citing software challenges—another indication that the commitment to AI may have been insufficient.
Insights from Chang’s Autobiography
Chang’s autobiography, which chronicles his journey from 1964 to 2018, also sheds light on Intel’s historical choices. For instance, he discusses how Intel declined the opportunity to invest in TSMC during the 1980s, only to later become one of its major customers. The book further explores TSMC’s partnerships with firms like Apple and Qualcomm.
Source: Link
Tags: Intel, Morris Chang, TSMC
December 11, 2024
Intel Arc B580 GPU Beats RX 7600 XT and Arc A580 in Benchmarks
After a long wait filled with rumors, Intel has finally launched its next-generation Arc Battlemage GPUs, namely the Arc B580 and Arc B570, just last week. The more robust Arc B580 will be available for purchase starting December 13, with a price tag of only $249. Meanwhile, the Arc B570 is expected to be released sometime in 2025.
Affordable Choice for Gamers
At just $249, the Arc B580 is likely to attract gamers who are budget-conscious, as Intel asserts that this GPU outperforms the previous Arc A750 and the RTX 4060. In addition, the Arc B580 comes with 12 GB of RAM, which is becoming increasingly important for gamers since 8 GB VRAM is no longer sufficient for demanding AAA games.
Performance Claims Under Scrutiny
Even though Intel’s performance claims for the Arc B580 seem promising, we cannot fully trust what the company says. Luckily, as we approach the release date for the Arc B580, we can expect to see benchmark results that will showcase the GPU’s performance. A recent leak has given us a preliminary insight into the synthetic performance of the Arc B580.
The Intel Arc B580 achieved OpenCL and Vulkan scores of 98,343 and 103,445, respectively. According to Geekbench’s database, these scores indicate that the Intel Arc B580 is approximately 9% faster than the Arc A580 in OpenCL tests and a significant 30% faster in Vulkan tests.
Competing Well Against Rivals
The benchmarks for the Arc B580 also show competitive results against the RX 7600 and RX 7600 XT (which can be found on Amazon). In the OpenCL benchmark, the Arc B580 is 20% faster than the RX 7600 and 17% quicker than the RX 7600 XT. In Vulkan benchmarks, the Arc Battlemage GPU leads by about 18.5% against the RX 7600 XT and 14% against the RX 7600.
In conclusion, the Arc B580 is slightly behind the RTX 4060 in OpenCL performance by about 3%. However, it appears to be 6.5% faster than the RTX 4060 in the Vulkan benchmark.
All things considered, the Intel Arc B580 looks to be a significant improvement over the Arc A580. But remember, synthetic benchmarks don’t provide the entire picture. We will need to wait for the retail samples of the Arc B580 to be reviewed, with those reviews expected to arrive this week.
Source: Link
Tags: Arc B580, GPU Performance, Intel
November 27, 2024
Intel Secures $7.9 Billion Grant for Semiconductor Projects
Under the 2022 U.S. CHIPS and Science Act, the Department of Commerce has given Intel $7.86 billion for its semiconductor manufacturing projects. This funding is aimed at supporting advanced packaging efforts at various Intel locations including Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oregon. This is the largest direct funding amount ever provided by the U.S. government to a single company, following a preliminary agreement made in March 2024.
Intel’s Commitment to Semiconductor Production
This funding is part of Intel’s dedication to reinstating America’s role as a leader in semiconductor manufacturing. This initiative is projected to create tens of thousands of jobs while boosting national security. Intel expects that through the CHIPS Act, it will generate over 10,000 direct jobs, almost 20,000 construction positions, and more than 50,000 indirect jobs in related sectors.
CEO Highlights Economic Growth
Pat Gelsinger, the CEO of Intel, underlined the importance of this funding, stating, “With Intel 3 already in high-volume production and Intel 18A set to follow next year, leading-edge semiconductors are once again being made on American soil.” He pointed out that these investments will not only foster economic growth but also strengthen national security by increasing the production of chips within the country.
Additional Financial Support
Along with the grant, Intel will also gain from a 25% investment tax credit, which will aid the company’s plans to invest over $100 billion in semiconductor manufacturing and research and development within the U.S. in the coming years.invest over $100 billion
Intel is also engaged in various projects, including the Secure Enclave program, which has been awarded a separate $3 billion contract. These initiatives are designed to address the rising demand for secure and trusted semiconductor manufacturing. The company’s advancements in new technologies, like the Intel 3 and Intel 18A process nodes, further solidify Intel’s position as a leader in the semiconductor market.
Source: Link,Link
Tags: CHIPS Act, Intel, Semiconductor Manufacturing
November 14, 2024
Intel Core Ultra 7 255H: Boosts Performance Over Meteor Lake
Yesterday, the Core Ultra 5 225H was spotted on Geekbench. It showed a good performance improvement compared to its Meteor Lake-based version, the Core Ultra 5 125H. However, it fell short when matched against AMD’s Strix Point lineup. Now, the stronger version, the Core Ultra 7 255H, has appeared on the same benchmarking site.
Specifications and Performance
Looking at the specs, the Core Ultra 7 255H features 6 Lion Cove P-cores and 10 Crestmont E-cores. According to Geekbench, this CPU can reach a boost of up to 5.1 GHz. Nevertheless, it seems to struggle to maintain that speed. This behavior was also noted previously with the Core Ultra 9 285H, suggesting that Intel might need to resolve some issues with the Arrow Lake-H series.
Benchmarking Insights
In the single-core test on Geekbench, the Core Ultra 7 255H achieved a score of 2,754 points. This makes it 14% quicker than the Core Ultra 7 155H and nearly as fast as the Lunar Lake-based Core Ultra 7 258V. Likewise, the Core Ultra 5 255H goes head-to-head with AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 365, which scored 2,797 points in the same test.
Multi-Core Results
For multi-core performance, the Core Ultra 7 255H garnered 15,040 points. This result is 22% higher than the Core Ultra 7 155H and 12% faster than the Ryzen AI 9 365. These results are impressive, especially considering the absence of hyperthreading. We can expect to see this CPU in action, along with its Arrow Lake-HX and Arrow Lake-U versions, at CES 2025.
Tags: Core Ultra 7 255H, Geekbench, Intel
November 11, 2024
Intel’s Arrow Lake Launch Issues: Promises Performance Fixes
Robert Hallock, who is the vice president and general manager at Intel, recently discussed the new Arrow Lake desktop series. During a podcast interview with Hot Hardware, Hallock acknowledged that the launch did not meet expectations. As highlighted in our review of the Core Ultra 9 285K, although the new lineup shows improvements in efficiency, it falls short compared to rivals in gaming performance.
Performance Issues
Specifically, we observed that the leading Intel Arrow Lake desktop chip does not perform as well as the Core i9 14900K from the Raptor Lake Refresh, which is currently priced at $438.41 on Amazon. Hallock mentioned that this level of performance was not anticipated by Intel, but he assured listeners that the company aims to “make it right.”
Looking Ahead
In addition, Hallock stated that the Arrow Lake processors have a “solid foundation,” and Intel has identified the reasons behind the “wild unintended effects.” He was candid about the performance challenges, clarifying that these issues are not due to Microsoft or any external factors.
Future Updates
On a positive note, Hallock indicated that Intel intends to provide a “comprehensive update” that will detail the issues and their causes by the end of November or early December. The company will also share its plans for addressing the performance shortcomings of the lineup.
Tags: Arrow Lake, Core i9-14900K, Intel
November 10, 2024
AMD Achieves 28.7% Share of Desktop CPU Market
AMD has recently achieved its largest quarterly increase in desktop CPU market share since 2016, capturing 28.7 percent of the market in Q3 2024, as reported by Mercury Research. This marks a notable increase of 5.7 percent from the previous quarter and a 9.6 percent rise compared to the same time last year.
Desktop Revenue Growth
The chip manufacturer also saw its portion of desktop revenue rise to 27.3 percent, which is 7.7 percent higher than the previous year. This growth indicates strong demand for their premium processors, particularly the 3D V-Cache models and the newly launched Ryzen 9000 series.
Mobile Market Gains
In the mobile CPU sector, AMD captured 22.3 percent of the market, up from 20.3 percent in Q2 2024. Their revenue share in this area also improved, reaching 19.2 percent, a rise from 17.7 percent in the last quarter. Much of this success can be attributed to their Ryzen AI 300-series APUs.
Server Market Success
The server market brought further positive news, with AMD’s share reaching 24.2 percent in Q3 2024, an increase from 23.3 percent year-over-year. Even more noteworthy, their server revenue share climbed to 33.9 percent, up from 31.2 percent in Q3 2023. For the first time, AMD’s data center business surpassed Intel’s data center and AI division, generating $3.549 billion, compared to Intel’s $3.3 billion.
Despite this progress, Intel continues to dominate, holding 71.3 percent of the desktop market and 77.7 percent of the mobile segment. Mercury Research noted that Intel attributed its decline in desktop market share to some adjustments in inventory at a client’s location, suggesting a potential recovery in Q4 2024.
Tags: amd, Intel, Ryzen 9000