Tag: Intel

  • Intel Partners with TSMC for Long-Term Strategy Amid 18A Yield Issues

    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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  • Intel Panther Lake Notebooks Delayed Until 2026

    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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  • Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX vs Core i9-14900HX in Cinebench R23

    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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    Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX vs Core i9-14900HX in Cinebench R23
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  • Intel Nova Lake Desktop CPUs Rumored to Feature Up to 52 Cores

    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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  • Intel Unveils 2025-2026 Client Processor Plans, Cancels Falcon Shore

    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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  • Intel Linux Driver Update: Tips for New Arc Battlemage GPUs

    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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  • Intel Advocates for Upgradable and Repairable Laptops

    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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    Intel Advocates for Upgradable and Repairable Laptops
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  • AMD Surpasses Intel in Desktop CPU Market Share, Faces Laptop APU Challenges

    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.

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    AMD Surpasses Intel in Desktop CPU Market Share, Faces Laptop APU ChallengesAMD Surpasses Intel in Desktop CPU Market Share, Faces Laptop APU ChallengesAMD Surpasses Intel in Desktop CPU Market Share, Faces Laptop APU Challenges

     

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  • Intel Arrow Lake H vs AMD Strix Point: CES 2025 Highlights

    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.

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  • Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13: Intel’s Breakthrough Battery Life

    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.

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