Intel is accelerating the development of its next-generation processors, with its core design team already working on a brand-new architecture codenamed “Griffin Cove,” potentially marking another bold move in the company’s processor technology. Recently, Ori Lempel, Senior Principal Engineer of Core Design at Intel, revealed in an interview that after completing the Cougar Cove architecture, the team has begun exploring Griffin Cove, which is three generations ahead of the current Lion Cove and will become the core technology for future Razer Lake processors. This news provides tech enthusiasts with a clear indication of Intel’s future product roadmap and demonstrates the company’s new strategy in process technology selection.
Panther Lake: A Key Step in 2025 #
Before the development of Griffin Cove began, Intel completed the research and development of the Cougar Cove architecture, which will be used in the system-on-a-chip (SoC) codenamed Panther Lake, scheduled for release in the second half of 2025. Panther Lake is a crucial component of Intel’s Core Ultra 300 series, designed specifically for mobile devices and will not have a desktop version. This processor will utilize Intel’s 18A process technology, integrating Cougar Cove performance cores, Darkmont efficiency cores, Xe3 “Celestial” integrated graphics, and a fifth-generation Neural Processing Unit (NPU 5) to significantly enhance AI performance and energy efficiency.
The development of Panther Lake is progressing smoothly. John Pitzer, Intel’s Vice President of Investor Relations, stated that its yield performance is normal, even slightly better than the previous generation Meteor Lake processor. The hardware diagnostic tool AIDA64 also added support for Panther Lake in its latest 7.65 version, further validating that its R&D has entered the late testing phase. Panther Lake will offer various configurations, including the high-performance PTL-H series (4 performance cores, 8 efficiency cores, 4 low-power efficiency cores, totaling 16 cores and 16 threads) and the low-power PTL-U series (4 performance cores, 4 low-power efficiency cores, totaling 8 cores and 8 threads). Additionally, some models will feature a large integrated GPU with 12 Xe cores, manufactured using TSMC’s N3E process, while the smaller integrated GPU will use Intel’s own Intel 3 process.
Although Panther Lake is scheduled for release in the second half of 2025, mass production will be delayed until the first quarter of 2026. Intel will provide a small number of chips to key partners through its Early Enablement Program (EEP) for the development of AI PC products. This timeline follows the release pattern of Meteor Lake and Lunar Lake, which were launched before gradually increasing shipment volumes.
Griffin Cove: A Future-Oriented All P-Core Strategy #
Griffin Cove, as the successor to Cougar Cove, will be used in the Razer Lake processors expected to launch in 2026 or 2027. Industry rumors suggest that Intel may adopt an all Performance-core (P-Core) design in Razer Lake, abandoning the traditional hybrid architecture of performance and efficiency cores in pursuit of ultimate performance. If this strategy proves true, it will mark a significant shift in Intel’s processor design philosophy, aiming to directly compete with high-performance products from rivals like AMD.
While the specific specifications of Griffin Cove have not been disclosed, its development progress indicates that Intel is making long-term plans for future market competition. Lempel stated that Intel’s CPU design team has achieved “99% process node independence,” meaning the new architecture can be adapted to various manufacturing processes. This flexibility provides more possibilities for the development of Griffin Cove, allowing optimization based on performance, yield, and time-to-market factors, whether using Intel’s own 14A process or continuing to collaborate with TSMC.
Shift in Process Selection #
From In-House to Dual-Source Strategy
In the past, under Pat Gelsinger’s “IDM 2.0” strategy, Intel heavily relied on its own process nodes. Performance and yield issues with internal manufacturing processes led to a decline in product competitiveness, forcing Intel to re-evaluate its supply chain strategy. Lempel frankly admitted that solely relying on in-house nodes “got the company into trouble,” and Intel has now shifted to a more open process selection model.
This “process node independence” design philosophy allows Intel to flexibly switch between its own Intel Foundry Services (IFS) and external foundries (such as TSMC). For example, some of Panther Lake’s integrated graphics are manufactured by TSMC, while other components use Intel’s 18A process. Michelle Johnston Holthaus, Intel’s Chief Product Officer, also stated that the company does not rule out collaborating with external foundries to ensure the stability and competitiveness of its semiconductor supply.
Intel’s 18A process is the core technology for Panther Lake, and its transistor density and energy efficiency are said to be comparable to TSMC’s N3 and N2 processes. Intel also plans to introduce the more advanced 14A process in 2026, utilizing High NA EUV lithography technology to further improve transistor density and energy efficiency, providing support for future architectures like Griffin Cove. At the same time, Intel has initiated collaboration projects with TSMC to evaluate the possibility of using the 2nm process for subsequent processors like Nova Lake, ensuring diversity in process selection.
Intel’s Road to Revival #
In recent years, Intel’s performance in the CPU market has been challenged by competitors like AMD, and since the 12th generation Alder Lake, its market share and product competitiveness have declined. Through the development of Panther Lake and Griffin Cove, as well as a more flexible process selection strategy, Intel is showing the potential to regain its strength. Panther Lake will achieve a two-fold increase in AI performance compared to Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake, while Griffin Cove is expected to bring an even greater performance leap to Razer Lake.
Intel also plans to launch the Nova Lake processor in 2026, which will feature Coyote Cove performance cores and Arctic Wolf efficiency cores, and may include Xe4 integrated graphics, expected to use Intel’s 14A or TSMC’s 2nm process. These products will collectively drive Intel’s presence in the AI PC and high-performance computing markets.
Intel is embracing the challenges of the processor market with a more open and flexible approach. The steady progress of Panther Lake and the early development of Griffin Cove indicate that the company is not only focused on short-term product releases but is also preparing for future technological breakthroughs. With the diversification of process selection and the innovation of architectural design, Intel is poised to reshape its position in the global processor market in 2025 and beyond.