Intel is anticipated to launch its Eighth-generation Core processor lineup on August twenty first. Known as Espresso Lake, the vary will probably be primarily based on Intel’s third-generation 14nm course of (14nm++) and, will use the identical LGA1151 socket because the current-generation Kaby Lake (14nm+) and last-generation Skylake (14nm) lineups. The vary is anticipated to obtain an improve early subsequent yr, with the first-gen 10nm chips, codenamed Cannon Lake, anticipated to be launched for desktops in addition to laptops. Nonetheless, even earlier than Espresso Lake or Cannon Lake has been formally introduced, Intel has revealed plans for what’s anticipated to be the corporate’s Ninth technology Core structure, codenamed ‘Ice Lake’.
What’s Intel’s ‘Ice Lake’ Microarchitecture?
As talked about already, ‘Ice Lake’ is Intel’s codename for what’s extensively believed to the corporate’s Ninth-generation Core processor lineup. Described formally as “a successor to the Eighth-generation Core processor household”, Ice Lake will use the corporate’s 10nm+ chip fabrication course of, making it Intel’s second-generation 10nm lineup after Cannon Lake. The corporate had earlier introduced that it plans to launch three generations of its 10nm know-how: 10nm, 10nm+, and 10nm++, similar to it’s doing with its 14nm chips.
Intel Ice Lake vs Kaby Lake?
With the Ice Lake lineup not anticipated to be launched till subsequent yr, particulars about Intel’s presumed Ninth-gen chips are exhausting to come back by. Having stated that, essentially the most vital distinction between the 2 processor generations would be the manufacturing course of, with the newly-announced line to be manufactured on the second-generation of Intel’s 10nm node (10nm+) that’s anticipated to interchange Cannon Lake subsequent yr. Ice Lake processors are additionally extensively anticipated to work with Intel’s 500-series chipsets, which may also be a change from the current-generation Kaby Lake processors which are used at the side of 200-series chipsets. There’s additionally discuss that Ice lake processors will include Intel’s Eleventh-generation built-in GPU chips, however there’s no official affirmation on that entrance as but.
10nm vs 14nm Chips: Energy Effectivity and Efficiency Enhancements
In response to the roadmap launched by Intel earlier this yr, the efficiency of its first-generation 10nm chips that will probably be launched subsequent yr, will probably be considerably decrease than the third-gen 14nm chips (Espresso Lake) which are about to be launched this month. The gulf in efficiency between the corporate’s 10nm and 14nm chips is simply anticipated to begin closing ever-so-slightly with the Ice Lake chips subsequent yr, however it can nonetheless rank beneath than the 14nm++ chips when it comes to transistor efficiency, which implies peak frequencies of those chips will take a particular hit. In the meantime, the most important advantages of the 10nm chips would be the decrease capacitance, which is able to translate to decrease energy consumption.
Though transistor efficiency of the 10nm chips will probably be decrease than the 14nm elements, the smaller transistors ought to permit Intel to place in additional of them into every chip, thereby bettering efficiency whereas holding prices in verify. The graph beneath exhibits that the logic transistor density is more likely to improve nearly by an element of three in transitioning from 14nm to 10nm.
When Are Ice Lake Chips Prone to Hit the Market?
Intel is tight-lipped about when its Ninth-gen chips will hit the market, but when the corporate’s current product launch schedule is something to go by, Ice Lake CPUs might be introduced in late 2018 and even early 2019. Both method, you’ll very possible have to attend no less than till mid-late 2019 to get your arms on them.
| Microarchitecture | Core Technology | Course of Node | Launch Yr |
| Sandy Bridge | 2nd | 32nm | 2011 |
| Ivy Bridge | third | 22nm | 2012 |
| Haswell | 4th | 22nm | 2013 |
| Broadwell | fifth | 14nm | 2014 |
| Skylake | sixth | 14nm | 2015 |
| Kaby Lake | seventh | 14nm+ | 2016 |
| Espresso Lake | Eighth | 14nm++ | 2017 |
| Cannon Lake | Eighth/Ninth | 10nm | 2018 |
| Ice Lake | Ninth/tenth | 10nm+ | 2018/2019 |
It’s price mentioning right here that the first-gen 10nm chips (Cannon Lake) have been initially anticipated to hit the market final yr itself, however that plan received derailed with the corporate going through a number of points with its 14nm course of. Now with the third and last technology of 14nm chips (Espresso Lake, 14nm++) all set to hit the market, the 10nm elements are anticipated to begin displaying up subsequent yr onwards.
SEE ALSO: Intel Kaby Lake vs Skylake: What Does the seventh Gen Processor Supply?
Ice Lake and the Way forward for Intel
With AMD’s new Ryzen lineup dominating the information cycles, Intel is aware of all too nicely that it must up its recreation if it doesn’t need to get replaced by its outdated adversary because the dominant x86 chipmaker. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see what Intel’s 10nm chips deliver to the desk, however the firm would nicely do with out the type of controversy surrounding the Ice Lake chips that we’re seeing spherical Espresso Lake proper now. In case you’re unaware, current studies appears to counsel that folks eager to improve to Intel’s upcoming Eighth-generation Core platform might want to purchase new 300-series motherboards as a result of Espresso Lake processors apparently gained’t be appropriate with the older 200-series chipsets. Now whether or not it’s a cynical advertising and marketing ploy from Intel or there’s a real problem with compatibility stays to be seen, however the information couldn’t presumably have come at a worse time for Intel, given how the corporate is virtually below siege from AMD’s Ryzen and Threadripper CPUs.
So, now that you just’ve received an outline of Intel’s Ice Lake Processors, what you concentrate on them? Are you contemplating upgrading to the upcoming Espresso Lake or are you going to carry out for more information on Ice Lake earlier than you deciding? Be happy to tell us within the feedback part beneath.
