Tag: Panther Lake

August 7, 2025
Trump Demands Resignation of Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan
Key Takeaways
1. Intel is struggling with low yields on its 18A process, impacting profitability for Panther Lake CPUs.
2. President Trump called for the resignation of Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, citing conflicts of interest.
3. Senator Tom Cotton raised concerns about Tan’s connections to Chinese companies and is awaiting Intel’s response.
4. If Tan resigns, he would be the second CEO to leave Intel within a year, following Pat Gelsinger’s exit.
5. Intel may benefit from potential financial relief from TSMC due to lower tariffs, though this deal is not yet confirmed.
Intel’s ongoing troubles appear to be worsening every day. A previous report from Reuters indicated that the company is still facing challenges with its 18A yields, leading to poor profitability for Panther Lake CPUs. Recently, President Donald Trump intensified the situation with a new post on Truth Social, stating:
The INTEL CEO is deeply CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately. There is no other way to fix this issue. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
Concerns from Lawmakers
This comes shortly after US Senator Tom Cotton raised alarms about Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s suspected ties to China. Senator Cotton claims Mr. Tan “controls dozens of Chinese companies and has interests in hundreds of Chinese advanced-manufacturing and chip firms,” and he has requested a response from Intel by August 15. As of now, Intel has not released an official comment regarding this issue, but one is anticipated soon, especially with the deadline approaching.
Potential Changes at Intel
If Lip-Bu Tan were to resign or be removed, he would be the second CEO to leave Intel within a year, following Pat Gelsinger’s departure in December 2024. However, not everything is bleak. Intel might receive a much-needed financial boost from TSMC due to lower tariffs. Yet, this deal has yet to be finalized or confirmed by either side. Additionally, there are whispers about possible candidates interested in acquiring Intel, but these rumors seem to be mostly speculation and should be taken lightly until more information comes to light.
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Tags: Intel, Lip-Bu Tan, Panther Lake
August 5, 2025
Intel Panther Lake CPU Profitability Hit by Low 18A Yields
Key Takeaways
1. Intel’s Panther Lake laptop processors have no confirmed launch date, with speculation ranging from early 2026 to sooner.
2. Intel is facing yield challenges, potentially selling chips at lower profit margins or losses due to poor production yields.
3. The die size of Panther Lake chips is approximately 274.2 mm², larger than the previous Lunar Lake size of 220 mm².
4. Production hurdles include yields reported at only 10%, significantly below the desired 50% for break-even, leading to high defect rates.
5. Intel’s focus is on producing Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest chips while preparing for future Nova Lake desktop chips using TSMC’s advanced 2 nm node.
Despite managing to power on, Intel’s new laptop processors that are built on the Panther Lake design still do not have a clear launch date. Some believe it could happen as soon as early 2026, while others think it might be sooner. However, Intel has remained quiet about the situation, making it difficult to know for sure. A recent report is trying to clarify what’s happening with Panther Lake.
Yield Challenges
Insiders informed Reuters that “Intel may have to sell some chips at a lower profit margin or at a loss,” suggesting that the situation with Intel 18A’s yield has not improved much. Yield figures are not very informative without knowing the die size, but a previous leak indicated that the die size would be around 274.2 mm², which is slightly larger than the Lunar Lake’s size of approximately 220 mm².
Production Hurdles
The report also mentions that Intel was hoping to achieve 50% yields at some point to break even, but if they are selling chips at a loss, this clearly hasn’t been achieved. Allegedly, “Panther Lake chips had about three times too many defects for Intel to start high-volume production.” Yields were reported to be at 10%, a claim that was also made in an earlier report, which Intel strongly refuted.
Future Prospects
With Intel 18A effectively limited to new external clients, its main goal is to successfully produce enough Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest chips. The upcoming Nova Lake desktop chips will utilize TSMC’s advanced 2 nm node for the CPU tile and various suppliers for other parts. This will also prepare the way for the next-generation 18A-P and the future 14A, marking Intel’s significant return to the foundry sector.
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Tags: Intel 18A, Nova Lake, Panther Lake
July 29, 2025
Intel Panther Lake: Revolutionizing Handheld Gaming Experience
Key Takeaways
1. Panther Lake is Intel’s first mobile CPU using the 18A manufacturing process, aimed at competing with TSMC’s advanced 2nm technology.
2. The Panther Lake chips may feature 12 Xe3 graphics cores, a 50% increase compared to the Lunar Lake series, promising enhanced graphics performance.
3. The improved integrated GPU (iGPU) is expected to greatly enhance gaming experiences, particularly for handheld devices.
4. Panther Lake is anticipated to support AI upscaling, potentially providing superior gaming performance compared to current handhelds.
5. The release of Panther Lake is expected in late 2025, with potential delays pushing notebook launches to 2026.
Panther Lake is the upcoming mobile CPU from Intel, marking a significant step as the first chip utilizing the company’s 18A manufacturing process. This development is crucial for Intel, as it aims to demonstrate its competitiveness against TSMC, which is known for its advanced 2nm processes. Although real-world performance metrics are not yet available, recent leaks suggest that the improved integrated GPU (iGPU) in the Panther Lake chips could greatly enhance graphics capabilities, making them ideal for gaming handhelds.
Leaked Information
The details come from a supposed shipping manifest shared by the user X86 is dead&back on X. According to the document, some Panther Lake chips are equipped with 12 Xe3 graphics cores. In contrast, the Lunar Lake series only has eight Xe2 cores. This means that Panther Lake offers a 50% increase in cores, and since Xe3 cores are enhancements over the Xe2, each core is expected to deliver better performance.
Gaming Potential
If properly integrated into handheld devices, this could result in remarkable gaming experiences. Additionally, at Computex 2025, Intel showcased its Panther Lake chips, demonstrating their ability to render graphics in real-time and run AI applications. This suggests that the iGPU may have support for AI upscaling, a feature that appears to be exclusive to the Panther Lake series for now. A handheld powered by a Panther Lake chip with a robust iGPU and AI-upscaling capabilities could theoretically achieve gaming performance that surpasses what current generation handhelds can provide.
Panther Lake is expected to be released in the latter half of 2025. However, earlier reports indicated that the launch of Panther Lake notebooks has been pushed to 2026 due to delays in mass production, moving from early September 2025 to mid-Q4 2025. Nevertheless, this still aligns with Intel’s original timeline for production in the second half of 2025.
Conclusion
The information comes from the NBD database, as noted by the user X86 is dead&back on X, and was also referenced by Tom’s Hardware.
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Tags: Intel, Panther Lake, Xe3
July 3, 2025
Intel Shifts Focus to 14A Production After 18A Setbacks
Key Takeaways
1. Intel reported a significant loss of $18.8 billion for fiscal year 2024, leading to CEO Pat Gelsinger’s departure.
2. Delays in the Intel 18A manufacturing process hinder Intel’s competitiveness against TSMC, which is advancing its N2 production.
3. Intel plans to limit the use of Intel 18A for its own chip production, with minimal output for major clients like Amazon and Microsoft.
4. Upcoming “Panther Lake” laptop processors are expected to use the Intel 18A process starting in late 2025.
5. Intel is pivoting towards Intel 14A manufacturing to compete with TSMC and Samsung, aiming to attract clients like Apple and Nvidia, with strategy discussions planned for July and fall.
The current state of Intel is deteriorating significantly. The company has revealed a staggering loss of $18.8 billion for the fiscal year 2024, leading to the departure of CEO Pat Gelsinger. As a result, the delays in the Intel 18A manufacturing process are making it outdated and unable to compete effectively. A report from Reuters indicates that while Intel is struggling, TSMC’s N2 production is progressing as planned.
Shift in Production Strategy
Intel’s recent plans involve limiting the use of Intel 18A and Intel 18A-P exclusively for its own chip production, rather than attracting new clients. There will be a “small quantity” of chips produced for major clients like Amazon and Microsoft using the Intel 18A process. The upcoming “Panther Lake” laptop processors are anticipated to utilize the 18A process starting in the latter half of 2025. As reported by Reuters, the Intel 18A process is probably similar to TSMC’s N3, although the N3 technology has been in mass production since 2022.
Future Directions
In an effort to enhance its competitive stance against TSMC and Samsung Foundry, Intel is reportedly shifting its focus to Intel 14A, the next-generation manufacturing process that supposedly provides benefits over TSMC’s offerings. The intention is to attract major customers such as Apple and Nvidia, encouraging them to transition from TSMC. Nevertheless, Intel has yet to finalize its strategy regarding both Intel 18A and Intel 14A. Discussions about potential strategies will take place during a supervisory board meeting in July, with final decisions anticipated by a fall meeting at the latest.
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Tags: Intel, Panther Lake, TSMC N3
June 4, 2025
Intel Nova Lake-S iGPU Leaks: Xe3 Celestial and Xe4 Druid
Key Takeaways
1. Core Count: Nova Lake-S CPUs may feature up to 52 cores, representing a significant advancement in Intel’s desktop CPU design.
2. Integrated GPU Architecture: The CPUs will include a unique integrated GPU (iGPU) combining Xe3 for graphics performance and Xe4 for display and media tasks.
3. Media Support: The iGPU is expected to have enhanced media capabilities with professional codec support and modifications to the standard Xe3 design.
4. Variety of SKUs: The Nova Lake-S lineup might have four different models, but it’s uncertain if all will feature the same iGPU configuration.
5. Manufacturing Technologies: Intel aims to utilize advanced manufacturing processes, including its 18A and TSMC’s 2 nm, for the Nova Lake-S CPUs, with a release expected in the second half of 2026.
The Intel Nova Lake-S desktop CPU design is set to be a major advancement from Intel in the desktop market segment. Recent leaks indicate that the Nova Lake-S CPUs might boast up to 52 cores in total. When they are expected to be released next year, likely in the second half of 2026, it’s said that the chips will come with a distinctive integrated GPU (iGPU) that includes both Xe3 and Xe4 components.
GPU Architecture Insights
Insider Jaykihn on X has shared that the Nova Lake-S desktop CPUs will incorporate both Xe3 and Xe4 GPU designs for their iGPUs. The primary GPU tile is based on Xe3, while Xe4 will handle display functions and media tasks like encoding and decoding.
To put it simply, the Xe3 “Celestial” architecture is the main source of graphic performance, while some features of Xe4 are used for additional support.
Media Support Claims
Furthermore, leaker Bionic_Squash has mentioned that “the media is very nice, professional codec support.” They also hint that the Xe3 component for the Nova Lake-S iGPU is not the standard version and includes “several changes.” The basic Xe3 might be saved for the Arc Celestial desktop GPUs and perhaps the high-end Panther Lake laptop models.
From the leaks available, the Intel Nova Lake-S lineup appears to include four different SKUs:
It remains unclear if all these versions will have the Xe3+Xe4 iGPU or if they will come with varied setups. Given that these are tile-based CPUs, Intel has the flexibility to adjust configurations with different architectures easily. Therefore, the final graphics solution remains uncertain.
Manufacturing Processes
Lastly, there are discussions about the possibility of using Intel’s 18A and TSMC’s 2 nm manufacturing processes for Nova Lake-S.
With Panther Lake laptop CPUs anticipated in the second half of 2025, followed by the Arrow Lake Refresh for desktops, and finally Nova Lake in 2026, Intel seems to have an exciting CPU lineup ahead. The key for the company will be to provide strong products to regain its competitive edge.
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Tags: Intel Nova Lake-S, Panther Lake, Xe3 Xe4 iGPU
May 15, 2025
Intel Foundry Targets Breakeven by 2027
Key Takeaways
1. Intel Foundry is losing billions each quarter while working to increase capacity and innovate technologies, aiming for breakeven by 2027.
2. The first product using the new 18A technology, the Panther Lake CPU, will be released in late 2025, with plans to transition other series to this technology.
3. Demand for chips from external clients is currently low, but Intel plans to utilize early 18A wafers for its own products to improve profitability.
4. To achieve breakeven, Intel needs to generate low- to mid-single-digit billions in annual revenue from external wafers, supplemented by advanced packaging and partnerships.
5. Intel plans to produce more premium client silicon internally, including the Nova Lake CPU, to enhance cost discipline and maximize capacity.
Intel Foundry is continuing to lose “billions each quarter” as it works on increasing its capacity and innovating new technologies. During a talk at J.P. Morgan’s Global Technology, Media & Communications Conference, CFO Zinsner mentioned that they aim to reach breakeven by “sometime in 2027,” which is a timeline the company hinted at earlier this year.
Upcoming Products and Technology
The first product based on the new 18A technology, a client CPU known as Panther Lake, is set to be released in late 2025. Additionally, Intel plans to transition the Clearwater Forest Xeon series and some third-party designs to this same technology node. Management sees the 18A as a way to convince clients to embrace its next versions, 18A-P and 14A.
Demand and Strategy
Currently, the demand from outside sources is limited. Many potential clients are still testing chips, and Zinsner admitted that the “committed volume is not significant.” To counterbalance this, Intel is counting on its own products to use up most of the early 18A wafers, thereby enhancing fab utilization and profitability.
To reach their breakeven goal, Intel needs to generate only “low- to mid-single-digit billions” in annual revenue from external wafers. This will be supplemented by advanced packaging, production of mature-node output like Intel 16, and collaborations with partners such as UMC and Tower. The use of High-NA EUV for 14A will increase costs at first, but Intel is confident that the improvements in density and performance will make the initial expenses worthwhile.
Internal Production Plans
Intel also intends to produce more of its premium client silicon internally. The new Nova Lake CPU, which is based on 18A-P, will be added to the internal production alongside Panther Lake. Zinsner believes that having Foundry “compete” for these wafers under the company’s smart-capital model will enhance cost discipline while maximizing capacity, which should improve margins even before large external orders come in.
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Tags: 18A, Intel Foundry, Panther Lake
April 23, 2025
Intel Nova Lake CPU to be Made on TSMC’s 2nm Process
Key Takeaways
1. Intel’s 18A node has high expectations but is currently producing Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest chips.
2. Intel has secured fabrication space at TSMC’s upcoming 2 nm node for Nova Lake desktop CPUs.
3. The collaboration with TSMC raises concerns about Intel’s 18A-P node reliability or capacity limitations.
4. Nova Lake will compete with AMD’s Zen 6, Apple’s M6, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite 2.
5. Detailed specifications for Nova Lake are limited, but leaks suggest a high-spec SKU could feature up to 54 CPU cores.
As Intel Foundry’s initial external node, 18A has significant expectations attached to it. Currently, it’s producing Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest chips, but a recent article from Taiwanese source Economic Daily suggests that Intel’s future desktop architecture may still need to depend on its main rival.
Collaboration with TSMC
It appears that Intel has secured some fabrication space at TSMC’s advanced 2 nm node, which is expected to start mass production later this year. This space will be utilized for creating CPU tiles for the Intel Nova Lake desktop CPUs set to debut next year. This development isn’t unexpected, as previous reports hinted at potential clients for TSMC’s 2 nm technology.
Speculation and Doubts
Neither Intel nor TSMC have made any public statements regarding this matter, which is understandable. However, Intel’s choice to collaborate with TSMC for CPU tiles raises concerns about the reliability of its own 18A-P node. Alternatively, this could simply be a matter of capacity limitations. Regardless, it places Nova Lake in the same arena as AMD’s Zen 6, Apple’s M6, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite 2.
Limited Information on Nova Lake
Since Nova Lake is still far from release, detailed information about its specifications is scarce. A previous leak from a reputable source indicated that its highest-spec SKU could feature up to 54 CPU cores, including 16 P-cores, 32 E-cores, and 4 LPE-cores. Moreover, it is expected to incorporate Coyote Cove P-cores along with Arctic Wolf E/LPE-cores.
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Tags: Intel Nova Lake, Panther Lake, TSMC 2 nm
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
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