What Intel Raptor Lake Next CPUs Could Look Like: Up to 20 Cores and Hybrid Architecture

After yet another rumor about Raptor Lake Next that circulated in recent days, well-known leaker Jaykihn has sketched a profile of the CPU range that will, if everything is confirmed, extend the lifecycle of the LGA 1700 platform and the Raptor Lake architecture until 2027, as well as the possibility of producing more economical PCs based on DDR4 DRAM. All this, of course, runs parallel to the Nova Lake CPU range, aimed at the high-end market and technologically more advanced and powerful.

The first piece of news is that Intel might maintain the current Core 200 nomenclature, avoiding a new commercial identification despite it being a distinct range. The rumors also exclude the use of Bartlett Lake chips, a solution primarily developed for edge and embedded applications characterized by the exclusive use of P-cores. Consequently, no desktop model with 12 P-cores is expected, but the traditional hybrid configuration combining P-cores and E-cores would be maintained.

From a technical standpoint, Raptor Lake Next would not introduce architectural novelties, with Raptor Cove cores for the Performance side and Gracemont cores for the Efficient side. The rumors suggest a range intended for both the desktop and mobile sectors, including HX variants, with a TDP of up to 125 watts.

The leaked specifications indicate a lineup composed exclusively of Core 3, Core 5, and Core 7 models. At the top of the offering would be a 65-watt Core 7 CPU with 8 P-cores and 12 E-cores, totaling 20 cores, a configuration very similar to the Core i7-14700. Among the mid-range proposals, a 16-core processor with 125 watts is indicated as substantially equivalent to the current Core i7-13700K, but aimed at the Core 5 category.

Among the likely models in the lineup, there would also be a 10-core chip with a TDP of 65 watts, equipped with 24 MB of L3 cache. This capacity, higher than previous 10-core chips generally limited to 20 MB, would result from the cache associated with the disabled core clusters not being turned off.

At the base of the range, finally, there would be a Core 3 processor with 4 Performance Cores and no Efficient Cores, also rated with a TDP of 65 watts. With Raptor Lake Next, it seems Intel wants to secure the entry-level market segment with production-ready solutions. After the extensive work done to address stability issues affecting some 13th and 14th generation Core CPUs, reusing an established design would allow the company to maximize the return on its investments.