Intel Corp. unveils new particulars about its next-generation consumer processor for AI PCs, the Core Extremely sequence 3, code-named Panther Lake, which is anticipated to start delivery later this yr. The corporate additionally gave a peek into its Xeon6+ server processor, code-named Clearwater Forest, anticipated to launch within the first half of 2026.
Panther Lake is the corporate’s first product constructed on the superior Intel 18A semiconductor course of, the primary 2-nanometer class node manufactured in america. It delivers as much as 15% higher efficiency per watt and 30% improved chip density in comparison with Intel 35 thanks to 2 key advances—RibbonFET and PowerVia.
The RibbonFET transistor structure, Intel’s first in over a decade, delivers larger scaling and extra environment friendly switching for higher efficiency and power effectivity. The PowerVia bottom energy supply system improves energy circulate and sign supply.
Additionally contributing to its larger flexibility and scalability is Foveros, Intel’s superior packaging and 3D chip stacking know-how for integrating a number of chiplets into superior SoCs.
Panther Lake
The Core Extremely sequence 3 processors supply scalable AI PC efficiency, concentrating on a spread of shopper and business AI PCs, gaming units, and edge options. Intel stated the multi-chiplet structure presents flexibility throughout type elements, segments, and worth factors.
The Panther lake processors supply Lunar Lake-level energy effectivity and Arrow Lake-class efficiency, in response to Intel. They provide as much as 16 CPU cores, as much as 96-GB LPDDR5, and as much as 180 TOPS throughout the platform. Additionally they function new P- and E-cores, together with a brand new GPU and next-generation IPU 7.5 and NPU 5, delivering higher-performance and larger effectivity over earlier generations.
Key options embody as much as 16 new performance-cores (P-cores) and efficient-cores (E-cores) delivering greater than 50% quicker CPU efficiency versus the earlier era; 30% decrease energy consumption versus Lunar Lake; and a brand new Intel Xe3 Arc GPU with as much as 12 Xe cores delivering greater than 50% quicker graphics efficiency versus the earlier era, together with as much as 12 ray monitoring models and as much as 16-MB L2 cache.
Panther Lake additionally options the next-gen NPU 5 with as much as 50 trillion of operations per second (TOPS), providing >40% TOPS/space versus Lunar Lake and three.8× TOPS versus Arrow Lake-H.
The IPU 7.5 presents AI-based noise discount and native tone mapping. It delivers 16-MP stills and 120 frames per second sluggish movement and helps as much as three concurrent cameras. It additionally presents a 1.5-W discount in energy with {hardware} staggered HDR in comparison with Lunar Lake.
Different options embody enhanced energy administration, as much as 12 lanes PCIe 5, built-in Thunderbolt 4, built-in Intel Wi-Fi 7 (R2) and twin Intel Bluetooth Core 6, and LPCAMM assist.
Panther Lake can even lengthen to edge functions together with robotics, Intel stated. A brand new Intel Robotics AI software program suite and reference board is out there with AI capabilities to develop robots utilizing Panther Lake for each controls and AI/notion. The suite consists of imaginative and prescient libraries, real-time management frameworks, AI inference engines, orchestration-ready modules, and hardware-aware tuning
Panther Lake will start ramping high-volume manufacturing this yr, with the primary SKU scheduled to ship earlier than the tip of the yr. Common market availability will begin in January 2026.
Really useful Intel’s confidence reveals because it readies new processors on 18A
Clearwater Forest
Intel additionally supplied a sneak peek into the Xeon 6+, its first 18A-based server processor. Additionally it is touted as the corporate’s best server processor. Each Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest, constructed on Intel 18A, are being manufactured at Intel’s new Fab 52, which is Intel’s fifth high-volume fab at its Ocotillo campus in Chandler, Arizona.
Clearwater Forest is Intel’s next-generation E-core processor, that includes as much as 288 E-cores, and a 17% enhance in directions per cycle (IPC) over the earlier era. Anticipated to supply important enhancements in density, throughput, and energy effectivity, Intel plans to launch Xeon 6+ within the first half of 2026. This server processor sequence targets hyperscale information facilities, cloud suppliers, and telcos.
The submit Intel releases extra particulars about Panther Lake AI processor appeared first on EDN.
