Intel's Raptor Lake & Alder Lake: Dates, Core Configs, and 24 Cores to Challenge AMD Zen 4

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Alder Lake: The Next Chapter in Intel's Architecture
   • 2.1 Introduction to Alder Lake
   • 2.2 Big.Little Architecture
3. The Performance Boost of Alder Lake
   • 3.1 Doubling Performance with Alder Lake
   • 3.2 The Golden Cove and Gracemont Cores
   • 3.3 Alder Lake's Enhanced IPC and Frequencies
4. The Core Configurations of Alder Lake
   • 4.1 Desktop Configurations: S1, S2, and P1
   • 4.2 Mobile Configurations: P1, P2, and M
   • 4.3 Alder Lake HX: Bringing Desktop Performance to Gaming Notebooks
5. The Release Schedule of Alder Lake
   • 5.1 October 25th, 2021: Embargo Removal for Desktop K Series
   • 5.2 Alder Lake P Series: Mobile Launch
   • 5.3 Alder Lake H Series: Enthusiast Gaming Notebooks
6. Raptor Lake: Intel's Continued Push for Performance
   • 6.1 Introduction to Raptor Lake
   • 6.2 Raptor Cove: The Enhanced Golden Cove Architecture
   • 6.3 Raptor Lake's Increase in Core Count and Performance
7. AMD's Response and the Future of Competition
   • 7.1 AMD's Potential Full 6000 Series Refresh
   • 7.2 AMD's Milan-X as a Counter to Sapphire Rapids
   • 7.3 The Exciting Prospect of Zen 5 and Zen 6
8. Intel's Preparedness for the Semiconductor Market
   • 8.1 The Apple Threat and Intel's Concerns
   • 8.2 Intel's Potential Cooperation with NVIDIA
9. Conclusion

Alder Lake: The Next Chapter in Intel's Architecture

Intel made waves with the announcement of Alder Lake, their newest architecture at Computex. This prototype showcased the integration of 3D stacking technology into a Zen 3 prototype. While initial excitement faded when it was revealed that consumer availability would not be until 2022, it sparked speculation about Intel's plans for the gaming market. This article explores the potential of Alder Lake and its impact on the gaming industry.

Introduction to Alder Lake

Alder Lake represents a significant shift in Intel's architecture with its implementation of a Big.Little design. This design, most commonly associated with mobile devices, combines high-performance cores with power-efficient cores on a single chip. The aim is to deliver improved performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

The Performance Boost of Alder Lake

With Alder Lake, Intel aims to double performance in certain products compared to their predecessors, all while maintaining the same or even lower power consumption. This boost in performance is achieved by combining the power of Golden Cove and Gracemont cores.

The Golden Cove and Gracemont Cores

The Golden Cove cores, based on Intel's 10nm process, bring a 20% increase in single-threaded performance over previous architectures. On the other HAND, the Gracemont cores, built on a power-efficient 6nm process, provide a high core count in a smaller die space. By incorporating both core types, Intel aims to achieve a balance between performance and efficiency.

Alder Lake's Enhanced IPC and Frequencies

Alder Lake's Golden Cove cores boast improved IPC (Instructions Per Cycle) and higher frequencies, resulting in better single-threaded performance. Combined with the efficiency of Gracemont cores, this architecture aims to offer a significant performance boost in multi-threaded workloads.

The Core Configurations of Alder Lake

Alder Lake comes in various core configurations, designed to cater to different computing needs. On the desktop side, there are the S1, S2, and P1 configurations, offering different combinations of Golden Cove and Gracemont cores. The mobile lineup includes the P1, P2, and M configurations, each tailored for specific power and performance requirements.

Desktop Configurations: S1, S2, and P1

The S1 configuration for desktops features eight Golden Cove cores and eight Gracemont cores, providing a total of 24 Threads. The S2 configuration offers six Golden Cove cores without any Gracemont cores. The P1 configuration, designed for mobile use, combines six Golden Cove cores with eight Gracemont cores, resulting in 20 threads and improved efficiency.

Mobile Configurations: P1, P2, and M

The P1 mobile configuration boasts six Golden Cove cores and eight Gracemont cores, offering a balance between single-threaded and multi-threaded performance. The P2 configuration includes two Golden Cove cores and eight Gracemont cores, designed for power efficiency. The M configuration is a low-power variant, featuring two Golden Cove cores and eight Gracemont cores, as well as support for LPDDR5 and PCIe 4.0.

Alder Lake HX: Bringing Desktop Performance to Gaming Notebooks

Alder Lake HX targets the enthusiast gaming notebook segment, providing desktop-class performance in a smaller BGA (Ball GRID Array) Package. By combining the desktop-class PCH (Platform Controller Hub) and CPU dies from Alder Lake S, Intel aims to deliver a high-performance solution without compromising on portability.

The Release Schedule of Alder Lake

Intel has planned a staggered release schedule for Alder Lake, starting with the desktop K series on October 25th, 2021. The mobile lineup, known as the P series, is scheduled to launch after CES, followed by the Alder Lake H series for gaming notebooks. The release of different configurations allows Intel to gradually introduce the new architecture to various market segments.

Raptor Lake: Intel's Continued Push for Performance

With Alder Lake serving as a stepping stone, Intel has already set its sights on the next chapter in their architecture: Raptor Lake. Positioned to challenge AMD's Zen 4 Raphael, Raptor Lake builds upon the success of Alder Lake with further enhancements in performance and core count.

Introduction to Raptor Lake

Raptor Lake is Slated for a holiday 2022 release, offering improvements over Alder Lake while retaining compatibility with the LGA 1700 socket. The core architecture for Raptor Lake's big cores is referred to as Raptor Cove, an enhanced version of Golden Cove. Though not a drastic upgrade, Raptor Cove brings higher IPC and frequencies, further improving single-threaded performance.

Raptor Lake's Increase in Core Count and Performance

Raptor Lake is expected to feature eight big cores and an increased core count of 16 for the Gracemont little cores. By doubling the number of little cores, Intel aims to enhance multi-threaded performance and provide a better gaming experience. Combined with other architectural and IO improvements, Raptor Lake could be a formidable competitor to AMD's Zen 4 architecture.

AMD's Response and the Future of Competition

In response to Intel's advancements, AMD faces the task of maintaining their position in the market. While a Zen 3D XT refresh is expected, there are speculations that AMD may consider a full 6000 series refresh at the end of this year. This move would allow AMD to counter Intel's Alder Lake with improved performance and potentially beat Intel's Raptor Lake in gaming capabilities.

AMD's Potential Full 6000 Series Refresh

If AMD decides to launch a full 6000 series refresh, it could include a 6950X with V-Cache and higher bin dies to surpass the performance of the current flagship 5950X. By offering a complete lineup with V-Cache technology, AMD aims to maintain their lead in both single-threaded and multi-threaded performance.

AMD's Milan-X as a Counter to Sapphire Rapids

To compete with Intel's Sapphire Rapids, AMD may introduce the Milan-X, a variant of Zen 3 Epic with 3D stacking technology. This chip would aim to dissuade users from migrating to Intel's platform by providing similar architecture and features, such as V-Cache, at a lower price point.

The Exciting Prospect of Zen 5 and Zen 6

Looking further into the future, AMD's Zen 5 and Zen 6 architectures hold great promise. With advancements in IPC and potential collaborations with TSMC, AMD aims to maintain their competitiveness against Intel and potentially surpass their offerings. Furthermore, partnerships with companies like Apple showcase AMD's greater ambitions in the semiconductor market.

Intel's Preparedness for the Semiconductor Market

Intel recognizes the challenges posed by competitors like Apple and NVIDIA and is actively working to maintain their position in the semiconductor market. Intel's concerns extend beyond AMD's advancements, as they recognize Apple's intent to dominate the industry. Additionally, speculation about collaborations between Intel and NVIDIA demonstrates the commitment of these companies to counter TSMC's growing dominance.

The Apple Threat and Intel's Concerns

Intel acknowledges the threat posed by Apple, particularly in terms of their technological advancements and access to the latest nodes. Apple's 5nm chips have already demonstrated impressive performance. Intel is wary of Apple's potential push into the semiconductor market and is closely monitoring their activities.

Intel's Potential Cooperation with NVIDIA

The possibility of collaboration between Intel and NVIDIA emphasizes the efforts of these two technology giants to counterbalance the dominance of TSMC. While details are scarce, discussions between Jensen Huang, NVIDIA's CEO, and Pat Gelsinger, Intel's CEO, suggest a willingness to explore potential partnerships in times of need.

Conclusion

Alder Lake marks a significant step in Intel's architecture, introducing a Big.Little design and 3D stacking technology to the desktop and mobile segments. The performance improvements and core configurations of Alder Lake, along with the future prospects of Raptor Lake, Present exciting opportunities for both Intel and AMD. The competition between these industry leaders ensures that consumers will witness significant advancements and innovations in the coming years, ultimately benefiting the gaming industry and other technology sectors.

Resources:

• Intel Official Website
• AMD Official Website