Intel expects to launch 7nm Meteor Lake processors in 2023

The era of large monolithic processors is over; the future is modular. Intel’s future processors will not be created using a single lithography node, interconnect technology, or single monolithic silicon dies. Like AMD, Intel plans to split their processors into multiple silicon dies but take things to the next level using their 3D Fevoros technology. 

With Meteor Lake, Intel plans to create a processor with a 7nm compute tile. Other aspects of Meteor Lake will be created using smaller 10nm or 14nm tiles, allowing Intel to re-arrange its designs to better cater to the needs of its customers. Intel’s modular design plans grant the company increased flexibility moving forward and allow Intel to create CPUs more cost-effectively. 
 

Intel’s 7nm technology is said to be “moving rapidly” towards maturity, utilising a “simplified process” and “increased EUV”. Reaching 7nm will allow Intel to better compete with newer lithography nodes from TSMC and Samsung, with Intel’s 7nm being comparable (allegedly) to TSMC’s 5nm, 

With a 2023 launch planned, Meteor Lake will likely arrive as Intel’s 14th Generation of Core processors, which means that Intel fans will need to wait for a few hardware cycles before seeing Meteor Lake. Rocket Lake is Intel’s 11th Generation processor series, and rumour has it that Alder Lake and Raptor Lake are set to release before Meteor Lake. 

Intel plans to utilise 3rd party foundries to create “a range of modular tiles” for client and data centre products starting in 2023. While Intel has not detailed how it will utilise the capacity of 3rd party foundries, the company believes that this move will give Intel addition flexibility and increased supply, giving the company a competitive advantage. 

  

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