Latest news with #CoreUltra
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Intel claims 18A, the node Pat bet the company on, is either 25% faster or 38% more efficient than Intel 3. Though that's a node Intel didn't have enough faith in to release for desktops or laptops
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Intel has been deep diving on its upcoming 18A chip node at the VLSI Symposium in Japan. And if the company's claims are to be believed, 18A is looking pretty sweet. Among other factoids, Intel says it's either up to 25% faster at the same power level, or up to 38% more efficient at the same frequency compared with the Intel 3 node. That's very promising for laptop battery life in particular. Of course, Intel 3 is a node of which we have absolutely zero experience. That's because Intel has never used Intel 3 for a consumer chip, choosing instead to go with TSMC's N3 node for both its Lunar Lake laptop chip and latest Arrow Lake desktop and mobile CPU family, as used for the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K. The most advanced Intel node in the PC is Intel 7, which is a rebrand of Intel's infamous 10nm technology, which ended up arriving the better part of a decade late. Anyway, what to make of these claims from Intel? Specifically and compared to Intel 3, Intel says that in low voltage 0.65 V operation, 18A is either 18% faster or 38% more efficient, while in high voltage 1.1 V mode, it's 25% faster or 36% more efficient. In other words, in low voltage mode you can either run the same clock speed as Intel 3 and use 38% less power, or use the same power and enjoy 18% faster clocks. Meanwhile, in the high performance, high voltage mode, you can choose between either 25% higher clocks for the same power consumption as Intel 3 or the same clocks with 36% lower consumption. Any way you slice it, these are very nice numbers. It's just hard to draw too many conclusions given the scarcity of comparable Intel chips on the Intel 3 node. For now, it's only the Xeon 6 Granite Rapids server CPU, launched earlier this year, that's built on Intel 3. Moreover, the fact that Intel passed over Intel 3 for Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake hardly seems like a vote of confidence in its own manufacturing tech. The point being that Intel also made some bullish claims about Intel 3 and an 18% performance-per-watt increase over Intel 4, but it seems like we'll never get an Intel 3 chip in a PC. What's more, even if these claims are accurate, there's the question of yields. Can Intel actually produce 18A chips at scale? Answers to all these questions will presumably come later this year when the Panther Lake mobile CPU with an 18A CPU die is supposed to be released. If Intel's numbers are accurate, Panther Lake ought to be a much more efficient laptop CPU, enabling clearly improved battery life. At least, that's compared to Intel 3. Exactly how 18A compares with TSMC N3, which is the node used by Intel for Lunar Lake's CPU cores is a separate matter. The takeaway here, then, is that this is all very complicated. Intel has released some very promising numbers. But they involve comparison with another Intel node which itself is only available in a range of server chips and it's unclear how 18A stacks up against TSMC's competing technology. The proof will be in the processing, so to speak, when Panther Lake arrives at the end of this year. It's been a long time coming, but no CPU has ever felt as critical for Intel as Panther Lake.
The Verge
21 hours ago
- The Verge
Acer Swift 14 AI review: give it up for the ports
The Acer Swift 14 is all over AI the place. It has powerful chip options, exceptional battery life, and loads of ports for such a portable laptop. The keyboard and trackpad are solid, which is not always a given at any price. But the screen and webcam are mediocre, and the speakers are outright terrible. Battery life, performance, and ports are important, and it makes sense to prioritize those, even if it means cutting costs elsewhere. Those are the kinds of tough tradeoffs that budget laptops have to make. Our review configuration of the Swift 14 AI comes with a Core Ultra 7 Series 2 258V (Lunar Lake) processor, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD at an MSRP of $1,299.99. There are numerous Swift 14 variants, including a $1,199.99 AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 config (which I also tested) and a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus / Elite model with a better screen. Acer also makes a 16-inch Intel version with an OLED screen, and it's actually $50 cheaper than the 14 but with less RAM. At 2.95 pounds and 0.63-inches thick, the Swift 14 AI isn't the thinnest or lightest around, but it has four USB ports — two USB-A 3.2 and two USB4 — plus a 3.5mm audio jack and HDMI 2.1. I'm used to thin-and-light laptops in this price range having just a couple USB-C ports, maybe a USB-A or proprietary charging port, and an audio jack. Having all this I/O on a laptop of this size is a treat when you need it. The other big treats, in both the Intel Lunar Lake and AMD Ryzen AI models, are the performance and battery life. Both are great for everyday productivity tasks like running many Chrome tabs, Google Docs editing, lengthy video calls, and frequent use of messaging apps like Slack and Signal. The Intel model is an impressive battery sipper, lasting from sunup to well past sundown under lighter workloads. In our battery rundown test, it lasted nearly 17 hours — matching the 15-inch Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition and beaten only by Arm-based Snapdragon laptops like the new Surface Laptop 13-inch and last year's HP OmniBook X. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 version, which is nearly identical to the Intel Lunar Lake except for a different hinge design and color, sacrifices a bit of battery life for the sake of better multi-core and graphics performance. But it can still last through an extra long day of average use and then some, and it still got 15 hours in our battery rundown test. System Acer Swift 14 AI / Intel Core Ultra 7 258V 8C / 32GB / 1TB Acer Swift 14 AI / AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 10C / 32GB / 1TB Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch / Snapdragon X Plus 10C / 16GB / 512GB MacBook Air 13-inch M4 / 10C / 10C / 16GB / 512GB Geekbench 6 CPU Single 2609 2847 2446 3775 Geekbench 6 CPU Multi 10690 14580 13190 14899 Geekbench 6 GPU (OpenCL) 28984 34638 Not tested 30701 Cinebench 2024 Single 118 112 108 171 Cinebench 2024 Multi 596 897 808 736 PugetBench for Photoshop 6598 6651 5600 10163 Sustained SSD reads (MB/s) 5200.83 6391.16 3663.1 2910.04 Sustained SSD writes (MB/s) 4662.05 5588.75 2478.44 2115.57 The keyboard and trackpad aren't showstoppers, but they're solid. The keyboard feels a little thin, but it has decently sized keycaps with just enough tactile feedback to not feel mushy. The mechanical trackpad is a decent size, clicks easily, and is surprisingly quiet. It has a design in its top-right corner reminiscent of some kind of neural pathway. It glows when the neural processing unit (NPU) is being used, to indicate that it's 'thinking,' but it sometimes lights up unexpectedly during everyday tasks, too. Boot up the Swift 14 AI for the first time and you're met with two of its most readily apparent flaws: a mediocre screen and egregious bloatware. The 14-inch 1920 x 1200 / 60Hz display can reach a bright 400 nits, but it looks a bit low contrast and lacks visual punch. Your eyes may adjust to it, but as soon as you spot a better screen on something like a Surface Laptop or MacBook Air you're reminded of the Swift's shortcomings. The bloatware isn't too hard to stamp out, but it's a bit more invasive than other laptops. You may have wanted Dropbox anyway, but I doubt you want it pestering you with subscription offers as soon as you set up your computer. Then there's the taskbar shortcut to and the pop-ups for Google Play Games and free-to-play dreck. Bloatware is one way to subsidize the price of a laptop and keep the price down, but I'm not sure the Swift 14 AI is cheap enough to justify it. But at least it's easy to uninstall. Unfortunately, you can't uninstall the speakers or the webcam. The two-speaker setup is a crime against music. You're better off cranking the volume on your phone. Zoom and Google Meet calls are somehow always too loud or too quiet — I had to keep changing the volume during meetings to accommodate different people's voices. And the webcam is only a little better. I've seen it render an okay image in bright lighting, but once you're in even slightly lower lighting then it falls apart. Acer's built-in software offers image enhancement, but it just boosts contrast and oversharpens, making everything look crunchy. You can certainly get a worse laptop for more money. But for around the same price, you can get the same or similar processor with a nicer screen, better speakers, and equivalent battery life in Lenovo's Yoga Slim 7i (it's just a touch larger, with a worse trackpad). Or you can spend a little more and get an Asus Zenbook S 14 with an excellent OLED screen and slightly better specs (though one less USB-A port). And if you can work with macOS or Windows on Arm and put up with fewer ports, then the 13-inch MacBook Air M4 or 13-inch Surface Laptop are far better all-around packages for less. Part of me still really likes the Swift 14 AI. Performance and battery life are top notch, the port selection is great for a thin-and-light, and almost everything else is at least decent. If you can get it well below its $1,300 MSRP — say, around $1,000 — the mediocre screen and awful speakers are more forgivable. And it seems to go on sale fairly often. Just don't forget your headphones. 2024 Acer Swift 14 AI (as reviewed) Display: 14-inch (1920 x 1200) 60Hz IPS touchscreen CPU (Intel): Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPU (AMD): AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X Storage: 1TB Webcam: 2560 x 1440 Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 Ports (Intel): 2x USB-A 3.2, 2x Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm combo audio jack Ports (AMD): 2x USB-A 3.2, 2x USB4, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm combo audio jack Weight: 2.95 pounds Dimensions (Intel): 12.3 x 8.71 x 0.63 (thickest point) inches Dimensions (AMD): 12.32 x 8.74 x 0.7 (thickest point) inches Battery (Intel): 65Wh Battery (AMD): 75Wh Price (Intel): $1,299.99 Price (AMD): $1,199.99 Photography by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
GEEKOM Unveils IT15: The Most Powerful Intel Mini PC Yet
TAIPEI, June 18, 2025 /CNW/ -- GEEKOM, a leading innovator in mini PC technology, is set to release its latest powerhouse, the GEEKOM IT15, setting a new benchmark for compact computing. Designed for professionals and businesses, this ultra-compact mini PC combines high-performance processing, robust stability, and unparalleled connectivity, making it the perfect solution for modern workspaces. At the heart of the IT15 is Intel's 2nd Gen Core™ Ultra processor (up to Ultra 9), which delivers enhanced single-core performance and improved energy efficiency. By eliminating Hyper-Threading, the system optimizes pure computing power, ensuring rapid response times and higher productivity. With a turbo clock of up to 5.4 GHz, it effortlessly handles demanding tasks such as video editing, coding, and graphic design. The IT15 also leverages AI-driven performance optimization, enhancing system efficiency for task scheduling, power management, and content creation workflows. Built for durability, the IT15 features a rock-solid all-metal chassis, providing superior protection against impacts while maintaining long-term operational stability. Rigorous component testing ensures uncompromised reliability, making it an ideal choice for both personal and enterprise use. Despite its sleek 0.46-liter form factor, the IT15 offers desktop-level performance without sacrificing efficiency. Its ultra-compact design allows flexible deployment in any workspace, whether mounted behind a monitor or used as a mobile workstation for remote professionals. Connectivity is another standout feature, with 4 USB-A ports and 2 high-speed USB4 Type-C ports supporting 40Gbps transfer speeds, PD power delivery, DisplayPort output, and even external GPUs for advanced graphics performance. The IT15 can drive up to four 4K displays, making multitasking seamless and immersive. The IT15's networking capabilities are also future-ready, as it features Wi-Fi 7 with 3D spatial antennas and a 2.5Gbps LAN port, ensuring high-speed data transfers, stable remote collaboration, and smooth HD video conferencing. Pre-installed with Windows 11, the IT15 is ready to rock out of the box, with additional support for Manjaro, Ubuntu, and Android x86, catering to developers and tech enthusiasts. Backed by a three-year manufacturer warranty, GEEKOM ensures long-term reliability and dedicated after-sales support. The GEEKOM IT15 will be officially available for purchase on June 18th, 2025, through GEEKOM's official website and Amazon Store. Contact: Rosa Tian [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE GEEKOM
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Intel Nova Lake specs leaked — Up to 52 cores and 150W of TDP for Intel's AMD Zen 6 rival
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Intel boasts some of the best CPUs available, yet an even better product is coming. Hardware leaker chi11eddog, known for his solid track record, has disclosed what are rumored to be the specifications for Intel's next-generation Nova Lake desktop processors, which are expected to succeed the Core Ultra 200S (codenamed Arrow Lake) series. Nova Lake, potentially branded as Core Ultra 300S, differs significantly from Arrow Lake. While Arrow Lake is built with Lion Cove P-cores and Skymont E-cores, Nova Lake is expected to use cutting-edge Coyote Cove P-cores along with Arctic Wolf E-cores. Intel is shaking things up with Nova Lake, reportedly launching its LPE-cores on desktops for the first time. We were first introduced to LPE-cores in Intel's mobile Core Ultra Series 1 (codenamed Meteor Lake) processors. LPE-cores are a branch of the E-cores, meaning the LPE-cores in Nova Lake are just an optimized version of the Arctic Wolf E-cores. Nova Lake's LPE-cores are believed to be integrated within the SoC tile and represent the lowest tier in the core hierarchy. As a result, these LPE-cores are designed to manage extremely low-power workloads or background tasks. By utilizing different cores for specific workloads, Intel can enhance power efficiency in Nova Lake. As reported by the hardware leaker, Nova Lake's flagship Core Ultra 9 chip may feature up to 52 cores, over twice the current Core Ultra 9 285K. However, this increase is due to a doubling of P-cores and E-cores and the inclusion of four more LPE-cores. Naturally, adding these cores comes at a cost, so the 52-core Nova Lake processor has a 20% higher Processor Base Power (PBP) than its predecessor. Processor P-cores E-cores LPE-cores PBP (W) Core Ultra 9 16 32 4 150 Core Ultra 9 285K 8 16 0 125 Core Ultra 7 14 24 4 150 Core Ultra 7 265K 8 12 0 125 Core Ultra 5 8 16 4 125 Core Ultra 5 8 12 4 125 Core Ultra 5 245K 6 8 0 125 Core Ultra 5 6 8 4 125 Core Ultra 5 225 6 4 0 65 Core Ultra 3 4 8 4 65 Core Ultra 3 4 4 4 65 *Specifications are unconfirmed. The Core Ultra 7 SKU also demonstrates a significant upgrade over the existing Core Ultra 7 265K. Intel might increase the P-core count by 75%, double the E-cores, and include four additional LPE-cores. Notably, the PBP has risen by 20% to support this upgrade, now aligning with the PBP of the Core Ultra 9 SKU. The Core Ultra 5 model, historically Intel's best-selling product, will allegedly come in three SKUs to appeal to different budgets. The top SKU seems to feature eight P-cores, 16 E-cores, and four LPE-cores. The middle SKU has two fewer E-cores, whereas the lowest SKU has two and four less P-cores and E-cores, respectively. Compared to the Core Ultra 5 245K, the Nova Lake model seems to have 33% more P-cores and 50% more E-cores, along with four LPE-cores. Intel appears to have kept the 125W PBP consistent across all three Core Ultra 5 Nova Lake variants to align with the Core Ultra 5 245K. Intel had previously forsaken the entry-level market with Arrow Lake, leaving the void to be filled with previous-generation chips. Nova Lake sees the return of the Core i3 tier, or rather Core Ultra 3, under this new branding. The chipmaker is reportedly working on two Core Ultra 3 chips: one with four P-cores, eight E-cores, and four LPE-cores, and the other with four fewer E-cores. Only the Core Ultra 3 SKUs will have a 65W PBP, as there doesn't seem to be 65W versions of the Core Ultra 5. Nova Lake is rumoredly to leverage Intel's Xe3 (codenamed Celestial) and Xe4 (codenamed Druid) IPs for its integrated graphics engine. Given the significant changes, Nova Lake chips reportedly require the new LGA1954 socket, while cooler compatibility appears backward compatible with LGA1851 coolers. Earlier this year, Intel confirmed that Nova Lake is on track for a 2026 release. There is no specific date, but barring any setbacks, Nova Lake should be ready to compete with AMD's next-generation Zen 6 processors. Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Intel Nova Lake CPUs Could Have Up to 52 Cores, Support DDR5 8000
Hardware leakers have released a torrent of new rumors about Intel's next-generation Nova Lake desktop processors, and they paint a very impressive picture of this future chip design. Reportedly, the flagship CPU will feature as many as 52 cores, spread across performance, efficiency, and low-power core architectures. They will also see a substantial upgrade in memory support, officially able to handle up to DDR5-8000 chips—though overclocking and XMP profiles should let installed memory perform even faster. When they launch sometime next year, Nova Lake CPUs will probably be named Core Ultra 300, so these latest leaks detailing the various specs will probably start with a Core Ultra 9 385K. It allegedly sports 16 P cores, 32 E cores, and four LP cores, giving it an unprecedented 52 cores in total. That's more than three times the current top core count AMD alternative, and more than double Intel's 285K. It's not the only next-gen chip that blows past everything else out there right now, either. The Core Ultra 7 model will have lots of cores too. It'll get 14 P cores, 24 E cores, and four LPE cores. Indeed, those four LPE cores extend throughout the entire stack. That should help improve multi-threaded performance, particularly for the very low-end chips, but will also dramatically improve energy efficiency at idle and in low-power modes for the entire lineup. If these leaks prove accurate, this will be the first Core Ultra 5 (or Core i5) generation of Intel CPUs to offer eight P cores, though this time around the top Core Ultra 5 will also get 16 E cores, delivering potentially unheard-of levels of multi-threading performance from such modest chips. Alongside the news of high core counts, VideoCardz also reports that the next-gen Nova Lake CPUs will have official support for DDR5 8000, a big upgrade over the 6400 MT/s memory the current-generation Arrow Lake CPUs support. Considering we already see some Intel motherboards supporting RAM in excess of 9,000 MT/s on Arrow Lake CPUs, it's possible we could see the first 10,000 MT/s or higher overclocking support on Nova Lake. PCIe 5 will see a big uptick with this generation, too. Instead of the 20 PCIe 5 lanes that Arrow Lake has right now, Nova Lake could offer up to 36, as well as additional PCIe 4 lanes for more legacy device support. Your cooler should work just fine on Nova Lake, too. All of this is mere rumor for now, but the details are starting to coalesce around a very intriguing generation of CPUs. If Intel can stick the landing, Nova Lake is shaping up to be very interesting competition for AMD's current CPU dominance, particularly in gaming.
