Intel has previously confirmed that it will continue to use the relatively mature 14nm process technology.Hardwareluxx websiteSummarizing recent news related to Intel's process technology, it is expected that it will take until the design of the processor product code-named Tiger Lake for laptop and desktop processors to be built with the 10bnm process, and it is expected that it will not be until 2022 that it will successfully enter the 7nm process.
Even though manufacturers like AMD, Samsung, Qualcomm, Apple, and Huawei have already entered the 7nm process design and application development phase, Intel is clearly not in a rush for process technology advancement. Instead, it emphasizes non-process technologies such as architectural design and the integration and application of various components, believing that this will enable processors to achieve greater performance, rather than simply focusing on lowering process technology.
Therefore, the Skylake architecture designed with 14nm process technology is not only still used in this year's updatedComet Lake processors, and is planned to be used in the next Rocket Lake processor product.
But in fact, according to Intel, merely exploring process technology bottlenecks will not bring about greater performance growth. Even if the process technology can be successfully lowered, the computing performance generated by driving more transistors with less power will naturally be limited as the process bottleneck is reached.
Similar statements include recent TSMCExplained during SEMICON TaiwanCompanies like Qualcomm and NVIDIA also believe that even if the downward trend in process technology is conducive to improving processor performance, the integrated development of technologies such as architecture is more important. After all, there are still physical limits when it comes to process technology, and it is impossible to rely solely on improvements in process technology.
Intel's 10nm process will stabilize
Regarding Intel's upcoming processor product development, the Tiger Lake processors, expected to be launched between 2020 and 2022 and built on the same 10nm process, will incorporate the new Willow Cove architecture design and feature Gen12 integrated graphics. The Sunny Cove architecture and Gen11 integrated graphics design are only used in this year's Ice Lake processors.
As for the Alder Lake processors expected to be launched between 2021 and 2022, they will still maintain the 10nm process, but the expected architecture and built-in integrated graphics card design cannot be confirmed yet. However, it is possible that they will be launched as a transitional product. The next step will be the Meteor Lake processor designed with a 2022nm process to be launched in 7.
Starting with the Tiger Lake processor, Intel will maintain the same process technology for both laptop and desktop processors. Even in the development stage of the Meteor Lake processor, the same 7nm process technology will be maintained. Unlike this year, Intel will not differentiate between the 10nm process Ice Lake processor and the 14nm process technology design of Comet Lake processor in laptop products. Even the desktop processor products will still maintain the 14nm process design.
In terms of server product development, Intel has already launched the Cascade Lake processor, built on a 14nm process and the Skylake architecture, this year. The Cooper Lake processor, expected to be launched in 2020, will also maintain the same design, but is also expected to launch the Ice Lake processor, designed on a 10nm process and the Sunny Cove architecture.
It is expected that after 2021, Intel will launch the Sapphire Raids processor using a 10nm process and Willow Cove architecture design, and in 2022 it will launch the Granti Rapids processor built with a 7nm process, which will be equipped with a Golden Cove architecture design.
