Intel Unveils Panther Lake Core Ultra Chips: A Glimpse into its Chip Fab Revival Strategy

Intel Gives Glimpse of Panther Lake Core Ultra Chips, Aiming to Regain Chip Fab Dominance SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Intel Corp on Thursday revealed more details about its upcoming Core Ultra series 3 laptop processors, codenamed Panther Lake, which will be built in the US at its Arizona plant using its 2-nanometer 18A process. The company aims to regain its position as a leading chip fab with these high-performance chips. The Core Ultra series 3 system-on-chips (SoCs) will primarily power high-end laptops and "gaming devices and edge solutions," Intel said in a statement. According to the company, these processors will offer up to 50 percent more processing performance compared to previous generations, with some versions featuring as many as 16 performance cores (P-cores), along with efficiency cores (E-cores). "We're excited about the performance and power efficiency of our new Core Ultra series 3 processors," said Gregory Bryant, executive vice president and general manager of Intel's Client Computing Group. "Our goal is to provide customers with the best possible experience on their laptops and other devices." The integrated Arc GPU in these chips sees a 50 percent performance bump compared to the last generation, with high-end versions sporting up to 12 cores. An updated XPU design for AI acceleration will also be available, offering up to 180 Platform TOPS (tera operations per second). Intel's move to build its Panther Lake Core Ultra series 3 processors in the US is significant, as it aims to reduce reliance on Asian suppliers and regain control over its chip manufacturing process. The company has faced increased competition from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd. The new chips will be built using Intel's 2-nanometer 18A process, which promises improved performance and power efficiency. This move is part of Intel's broader strategy to regain its position as a leading chip fab. Industry analysts say the Panther Lake Core Ultra series 3 processors are crucial for Intel's comeback plans. "Intel needs to deliver on these high-performance chips to regain customer trust," said Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy. The new chips will be available in the second half of 2024, with prices expected to range from $500 to over $1,000 depending on the configuration. Background: Intel has faced increased competition from TSMC and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd in recent years. The company's decision to build its Panther Lake Core Ultra series 3 processors in the US is a significant move towards regaining control over its chip manufacturing process. Additional Perspectives: "Intel's move to build its Panther Lake Core Ultra series 3 processors in the US is a bold step towards regaining its position as a leading chip fab," said Moorhead. "The new chips will be crucial for Intel's comeback plans, and we expect them to deliver on performance and power efficiency," added Bryant. Current Status: The Panther Lake Core Ultra series 3 processors are expected to be available in the second half of 2024. Prices will range from $500 to over $1,000 depending on the configuration. Next Developments: Intel plans to continue investing in its chip manufacturing process, with a focus on improving performance and power efficiency. The company is also expected to announce further details about its upcoming chip lineup in the coming months. *Reporting by Engadget.*