Le lac Raptor d'Intel pourrait bénéficier d'un RAFRAÎCHISSEMENT en 2023 !

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Intel's CPU Refresh Cycle
3. Comparison with AMD's CPU Platform
4. Rumors of Intel's Raptor Lake Refresh
5. Higher Frequency and Core Count
6. Scrapped Feature - DLVR
7. Asus In-house Overclocker's Revelation
8. Officially Announced Raptor Lake CPUs
9. Potential Improvements with Refresh
10. Implications for Gaming and Workloads

💡 Highlights

• Intel may refresh its latest generation of CPUs in 2023.
• The short lifetime of Intel CPU platforms compared to AMD's is a point of contention.
• Rumors suggest a refresh of the Raptor Lake architecture in 2023.
• The refresh may include higher frequency and core count, improving performance.
• Intel scrapped the DLVR feature, potentially limiting power management capabilities.
• Asus kept the DLVR feature on their motherboards, leaving room for future processors.
• Only a few Raptor Lake CPUs have been officially announced so far.
• A refresh could provide a significant boost in performance, challenging AMD's CPUs.
• The market may see a relatively calm period for CPU releases in 2023.

🖥️ Intel's CPU Refresh Cycle

Intel, also known as the blue team, has earned a reputation for the short lifespan of their CPU platforms. Typically, Intel CPUs are compatible with only two generations of motherboards, leading to the necessity of frequent upgrades. This situation becomes even more frustrating for consumers who purchase Second-generation CPUs on these platforms, as there are no further upgrade paths. In contrast, AMD has continued to release CPUs for their AM4 platform over the past six years, demonstrating a longer lifecycle for their CPUs. This discrepancy sets the stage for examining Intel's potential CPU refresh in 2023.

⚔️ Comparison with AMD's CPU Platform

While Intel's CPU refresh for their LGA 1700 socket may not entail an entirely new generation, there are indications of an upcoming Raptor Lake refresh. Rumors from ECMS, a reputable leaker, suggest that 2023 will witness a battle between Raptor Lake and Zen 4. The first half of the year is expected to showcase the Intel 13900KS and the Ryzen 7000 X3D lineup. Notably, the 13900KS has been known for some time but has not been officially released by Intel. However, the focus here lies on the anticipated Raptor Lake refresh in the later part of the year, specifically in mid to late Q3.

🌟 Rumors of Intel's Raptor Lake Refresh

According to the translated post by ECMS, the Raptor Lake refresh in 2023 may feature higher frequencies, potentially ranging from 100 to 200 megahertz. The number of cores, however, is expected to remain the same as that of the Arrow Lake CPUs. Looking beyond 2023, the rumor mill suggests that Zen 5 will arrive in 2024. These rumors, if accurate, set the stage for Intel's potential response to AMD's advancements.

🔔 Higher Frequency and Core Count

A refresh of the Raptor Lake architecture with higher frequencies could offer significant performance improvements. Although a 100 to 200 megahertz increase may not seem substantial, it is worth noting that AMD implemented similar frequency boosts with the 3000 XT series of CPUs two years ago. During that time, the six-core models received a 100 megahertz boost, while the eight-core models experienced a 200 megahertz increase. Additionally, if DLVR (Digital Linear Voltage Regulator) contributes a 20% efficiency boost to Raptor Lake CPUs, Intel could potentially claim superior efficiency, cooler operation, and the fastest CPUs on the market.

❌ Scrapped Feature - DLVR

Asus, a prominent motherboard manufacturer, shed light on Intel's decision to abandon the DLVR feature. DLVR, which stands for Digital Linear Voltage Regulator, was intended to enhance power management and reduce power usage by around 20%. However, Intel disabled DLVR mid-development, despite some Z790 motherboards still featuring the feature. Asus, on the other HAND, retained DLVR on their motherboards, keeping the possibility alive for future processors to utilize it. This indicates that Intel's Raptor Lake architecture may still have room for further improvements that could be unlocked in the future.

🏆 Asus In-house Overclocker's Revelation

Shamino, an in-house overclocker and motherboard guru at Asus, further shed light on Intel's Raptor Lake CPUs. He confirmed that Raptor Lake was designed to operate with DLVR, but the processors were fused to bypass it during development. This decision led to Intel disabling DLVR altogether. However, Asus opted to keep the feature on their motherboards, indicating the potential for upcoming processors to benefit from it. The collaboration between Intel and Asus presents an intriguing possibility for future CPU enhancements.

🔍 Officially Announced Raptor Lake CPUs

As of now, Intel has officially announced three Raptor Lake CPUs: the 13600K, 13700K, and 13900K. If KF variants are considered, the count reaches six. Anything below the 13600K is essentially a refreshed Alder Lake CPU, belonging to the previous generation. Therefore, the Raptor Lake lineup has yet to fully demonstrate its capabilities. A potential refresh could unleash the true potential of this architecture.

🔝 Potential Improvements with Refresh

A Raptor Lake refresh, potentially offering higher clock speeds and refinements, holds the promise of pushing all-core frequencies even higher. Although a 100 to 200 megahertz increase appears modest, past experiences with AMD's CPU refreshes indicate that such boosts can significantly impact performance. Considering DLVR's potential 20% efficiency advantage, Intel stands poised to challenge AMD's position in the market. This refresh could solidify Intel's claim to efficiency and make them the front runners in terms of raw CPU power.

🎮 Implications for Gaming and Workloads

If a refresh takes place, the Intel 13900K, boasting slightly higher clock speeds, could excel in heavy workloads and prove to be a formidable competitor in gaming as well. While AMD may release their 7000 series X3D CPUs next year, rumors suggest that these models will be limited to six and eight cores. Consequently, a refresh of the 13900K with higher clock speeds would likely outperform AMD's offering in demanding tasks. Despite the relatively calm anticipated release schedule for CPUs in 2023, the potential Raptor Lake refresh holds exciting prospects for both gamers and professionals alike.

📜 FAQ

Q: Will Intel refresh their latest CPUs in 2023? A: Rumors suggest that Intel may indeed refresh their CPUs in 2023, specifically the Raptor Lake architecture.

Q: How does Intel's CPU refresh cycle compare to AMD's? A: Intel's CPUs are notorious for having a short lifespan, usually compatible with only two generations of motherboards. In contrast, AMD has continuously released CPUs for their AM4 platform over the past six years.

Q: What rumors surround Intel's Raptor Lake refresh? A: There are rumors of a Raptor Lake refresh in mid to late Q3 of 2023, featuring higher frequencies of around 100 to 200 megahertz and a similar core count to Arrow Lake CPUs.

Q: What is DLVR, and why was it scrapped? A: DLVR, or Digital Linear Voltage Regulator, was meant to improve power management. Intel disabled DLVR mid-development, but Asus retained it on their motherboards for potential future use.

Q: Which Raptor Lake CPUs have been officially announced? A: Intel has officially announced the 13600K, 13700K, and 13900K CPUs, with an additional three KF variants. Any CPU below the 13600K is considered a refreshed Alder Lake CPU.

Resources:

• ECMS
• Asus