Intel Meteor Lake SoC is NOT Coming to Desktops: Nicely, Not Technically

During the last couple of days, quite a few studies have revealed that Intel’s lately introduced Meteor Lake SoC, primarily a cell platform, can be coming to desktop PCs. Intel has additional clarified that whereas their Meteor Lake processors will probably be featured in desktop programs subsequent 12 months, they will not energy conventional socketed desktop PCs. As a substitute, these CPUs, primarily crafted for laptops, will probably be packaged in ball grid array (BGA) codecs, making them appropriate for compact desktops and all-in-one (AIO) units.

Intel’s assertion, as reported by ComputerBase, emphasizes, “Meteor Lake is an influence environment friendly structure that may energy progressive cell and desktop designs, together with desktop kind elements comparable to All-in-One (AIO). We could have extra product particulars to share sooner or later.” 

A senior Intel official lately talked about that Meteor Lake processors are slated for desktop launch in 2024. Nevertheless, they will not be accessible in Intel’s LGA1851 kind issue, which caters to gaming rigs, shopper workstations, and standard desktop programs. The follow of integrating laptop computer CPUs into compact PCs, comparable to NUCs and all-in-one PCs, is not a novel one. Producers have been doing this for years, and the intriguing facet will probably be observing the efficiency and effectivity metrics of those high-end Meteor Lake laptop computer CPUs, particularly when juxtaposed in opposition to the present Raptor Lake processors designed for each desktops and laptops.

The rationale behind Intel’s determination to exclude Meteor Lake processors from socketed desktops stays ambiguous. The CPU employs a multi-tile construction, with its compute tile being developed on the Intel 4 course of know-how. This know-how marks Intel’s inaugural use of utmost ultraviolet lithography (EUV), whereas the graphics tile and SoC leverage TSMC’s fabrication strategies. Each manufacturing methods are poised to ship commendable efficiency and effectivity, however Meteor Lake will not be designed as a pure desktop product.

Present indications counsel that the Arrow Lake-S sequence will probably be aimed toward LGA1851 motherboards, however that is anticipated for the latter half of 2024. Whereas Q3/This autumn of 2024 remains to be some time away, Intel’s motherboard companions, comparable to GIGABYTE and MSI, have been readying up new refreshed Z790 motherboards, with options comparable to Wi-Fi 7 set to come back to Intel’s impending Raptor Lake refresh platform which is due someday earlier than the top of the 12 months.

Supply: ComputerBase