Intel Meteor Lake CPU with On-Die LPDDR5X Memory: A Game-Changing Architecture
Intel recently made waves in the tech world with its latest revelations about the upcoming 14th-Gen Meteor Lake CPUs. In a demonstration, Intel showcased a groundbreaking architecture design featuring on-die RAM. This innovation bears resemblance to Apple’s chipmaking approach and has significant implications for the future of Intel processors.
Intel Meteor Lake CPU with On-Die LPDDR5X Memory Revealed
Intel’s advances in Meteor Lake’s development promise a marked departure from previous CPU models, especially if the new architecture is implemented. During the demo, Intel did not disclose whether the showcased chip was an entry-level i3 or a flagship i9 processor. Nevertheless, the demonstrated architectural design for the Meteor Lake CPU showcased a game-changing transformation that directly impacts how a computer’s RAM functions.
The demo featured a Meteor Lake CPU design equipped with on-die memory. Unlike most laptops that either have soldered RAM onto the motherboard or allow for RAM upgrades through the addition of new RAM sticks, a CPU with on-die memory removes the possibility of upgrades. The on-die memory displayed by Intel consisted of Samsung’s impressive 16GB LPDDR5X memory, boasting a speed of 7500MHz. To put this into perspective, the RAM speeds of even high-end laptops, such as the i9-13980HX, reviewed by us, have not exceeded 4800MHz.
Utilizing on-die memory allows for significantly higher RAM speeds. The showcased LPDDR5X RAM has a peak bandwidth of up to 120 GB/s, marking a substantial leap forward. Let us now delve into the reasons behind Intel’s adoption of a chip design similar to Apple’s and explore the advantages it presents.
Why Intel & Apple Designed RAM to Be Next to the Processor
Having the system memory within close proximity to the CPU through on-die memory results in noticeably faster and more efficient system performance. The proximity facilitates swift communication between the CPU and RAM, thereby enabling faster data exchange. Consequently, on-die RAM offers the processor speedy, convenient access to memory.
Intel’s potential Meteor Lake chip design shares similarities with Apple’s strategy for its ARM-based M2 and M1 chips, which are utilized in Mac computers. On-die RAM has the potential to become the industry standard in the future, especially since Apple has already made the shift towards unified memory. Intel appears to be following suit, as evidenced by its latest design for the Meteor Lake CPU.
Apple’s chip design, like Intel’s Meteor Lake CPU, features unified memory. In this scenario, the RAM is attached to the same die as the M1 Max CPU. Apple’s M1 Max chip boasts 64GB of unified memory, represented by the four black squares visible in the design image.
The introduction of on-die memory marks a significant breakthrough in the field. By reducing overall communication latency between the processor and system memory, it offers a compelling trade-off: improved RAM implementation at the expense of upgradability. However, should this design become the standard, upgrading laptop RAM in the future would be impossible.
If you want to stay abreast of the latest developments surrounding Intel’s 14th Gen desktop and laptop CPUs, check out our in-depth article. We provide comprehensive information on the release date, specifications, and benchmark performance of Intel’s upcoming processor lineup. We’re also eager to hear your thoughts on Intel’s groundbreaking Meteor Lake CPU architecture. Share your opinions with us in the comments section!
Featured Image Courtesy: Intel