Intel has announced its next generation (14th Gen) of power-efficient processors, Meteor Lake CPUs. These feature a new architecture based on a chiplet-based design and a dedicated AI engine. These processors are expected to launch in late 2023 or early 2024 for laptops and desktops.
Intel Meteor Lake CPU key features and specs:
4nm Process Node:
Intel Meteor Lake CPUs will be the first consumer processors to use Intel’s 4nm process node. It is expected to offer higher performance and lower power consumption than the current 10nm and 7nm nodes. Intel’s 4nm node is based on its own transistor technology, called RibbonFET, which is similar to the gate-all-around (GAA) technology used by Samsung and TSMC.
Foveros 3D Packaging:
Meteor Lake CPUs will also be the first consumer processors to use Intel’s Foveros 3D packaging technology. As it allows Intel to stack different chiplets vertically on top of each other. This reduces the distance between the chiplets, which improves the data transfer speed and reduces the power consumption. Foveros 3D packaging also allows Intel to integrate different types of chiplets, such as memory, IO, or security, on the same package.
Dedicated AI Engine:
These CPUs will feature a dedicated AI engine, called the Data Streaming Accelerator (DSA), which will handle various AI workloads, such as image processing, natural language processing, or machine learning. The DSA will be able to access the system memory directly, without going through the CPU cores, which will improve the performance and efficiency of AI applications. The DSA will also support various AI frameworks, such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or ONNX.
Improved Graphics:
Intel Meteor Lake CPUs will also feature improved graphics cores, based on Intel’s Xe architecture, which will offer better performance and features than the current Gen12 graphics. The Xe graphics cores will support DirectX 12 Ultimate, ray tracing, variable rate shading, mesh shading, and sampler feedback. The Xe graphics cores will also support up to 8K resolution and HDR10+.
Intel Meteor Lake CPUs are expected to be a major leap forward for Intel in terms of performance, power efficiency, and features. They will also challenge AMD’s dominance in the CPU market, especially in the high-end segment.
