Intel 'Tiger Lake' mobile processors will use new Xe GPU architecture
Intel's next generation of mobile processors, codenamed "Tiger Lake," will help improve machine learning and artificial intelligence on mobile workstations, with high performance gains and a new Xe graphics architecture touted for the chip line.
Chips under the Tiger Lake codename will be made using Intel's already-established 10nm+ process, but will include a variety of extra optimizations to improve performance. The changes included in the mobile-oriented processor is claimed by Intel EVP Gregory Bryant to include "groundbreaking advances in every vector and experience that matters."
As a "first-look" of the processor, the CES 2020 presentation offered a general overview for the chips, which will have optimizations for the CPU, AI accelerators, and the GPU to achieve "double-digit performance gains."
The GPU will be based on Intel's new Xe graphics architecture, an integrated graphics system that will offer "discrete-level" performance, at least double that of earlier versions. This potentially saves vendors like Apple from having to add a separate discrete GPU in their products, as is the case with the 16-inch MacBook Pro line, and some earlier models.
While Tiger Lake's GPU will be integrated into the chip, Intel is also working on making the Xe architecture work for discrete graphics as well. A preview of one such effort, codenamed "DG1," was made onstage at the event, albeit without Intel saying when the project will result in discrete chip production.
Given the likelihood the discrete GPU will be quite similar to the integrated version, one option is for Intel to use both the integrated and discrete GPUs together for enhanced graphical performance. This would, in theory, be similar to how some workstations and gaming PCs use multiple graphics cards in concert, with the workload shared among the collective GPUs.
Intel has been working on its first discrete GPUs for some time, as its integrated versions have not really lived up to the needs of users and device producers, typically forcing the addition of a discrete GPU. The disparity has already forced Intel into working in other directions, such as partnering with long-time rival AMD to combine an Intel CPU with an AMD GPU on the same board.
During the presentation, Intel confirmed it will be the first processor range from the company to include support for Thunderbolt 4.
Intel did not provide processor details as part of the Tiger Lake effort, but it does intend to ship the first chips under the codename later in 2020.
Intel's announcements also covered Project Athena's first verified Chromebooks and an expanded partnership with Google, and new form factor designs including dual-screen and foldable mobile computers. This includes a foldable OLED concept codenamed "Horseshoe Bend," which uses a Tiger Lake processor in a notebook similar in size to one with a 12-inch display, but the folding touchscreen can be unfurled to more than 17 inches.
Chips under the Tiger Lake codename will be made using Intel's already-established 10nm+ process, but will include a variety of extra optimizations to improve performance. The changes included in the mobile-oriented processor is claimed by Intel EVP Gregory Bryant to include "groundbreaking advances in every vector and experience that matters."
As a "first-look" of the processor, the CES 2020 presentation offered a general overview for the chips, which will have optimizations for the CPU, AI accelerators, and the GPU to achieve "double-digit performance gains."
The GPU will be based on Intel's new Xe graphics architecture, an integrated graphics system that will offer "discrete-level" performance, at least double that of earlier versions. This potentially saves vendors like Apple from having to add a separate discrete GPU in their products, as is the case with the 16-inch MacBook Pro line, and some earlier models.
While Tiger Lake's GPU will be integrated into the chip, Intel is also working on making the Xe architecture work for discrete graphics as well. A preview of one such effort, codenamed "DG1," was made onstage at the event, albeit without Intel saying when the project will result in discrete chip production.
Given the likelihood the discrete GPU will be quite similar to the integrated version, one option is for Intel to use both the integrated and discrete GPUs together for enhanced graphical performance. This would, in theory, be similar to how some workstations and gaming PCs use multiple graphics cards in concert, with the workload shared among the collective GPUs.
Intel has been working on its first discrete GPUs for some time, as its integrated versions have not really lived up to the needs of users and device producers, typically forcing the addition of a discrete GPU. The disparity has already forced Intel into working in other directions, such as partnering with long-time rival AMD to combine an Intel CPU with an AMD GPU on the same board.
During the presentation, Intel confirmed it will be the first processor range from the company to include support for Thunderbolt 4.
Intel did not provide processor details as part of the Tiger Lake effort, but it does intend to ship the first chips under the codename later in 2020.
Intel's announcements also covered Project Athena's first verified Chromebooks and an expanded partnership with Google, and new form factor designs including dual-screen and foldable mobile computers. This includes a foldable OLED concept codenamed "Horseshoe Bend," which uses a Tiger Lake processor in a notebook similar in size to one with a 12-inch display, but the folding touchscreen can be unfurled to more than 17 inches.
Comments
while the early Tiger Lake CPUs will be for thin laptops, later in the year, we can expect that to move to their other lines, hopefully the Xeon, allowing a new PCIe 4 Mac Pro to add TB 4.
this us why I decided to wait.
I think AMD consistently gaining market share in server, HEDT, and consumer desktop space is definitely "winning" for them, but it doesn't mean intel has to "lose". My excitement for AMD is based around their consistent IPC improvement with Ryzen. They currently are matching intel in single core performance in many applications at lower clock speeds. I can't help but be reminded of intel in the Pentium 4 days. They just kept pushing clock speed without improving the IPC of their chips. I feel like their entire "lake" series of chips is just slight clock speed bumps without much improvement in chip design. I also don't see anything on their published roadmap that really changes this. The 10nm transition will allow them to improve power efficiency and boosts clock some more, but it may be time for a redesign like the P4 days where they switched to the Pentium M architecture.
AMD bet big on the chiplet design with the infinity fabric, and they have been consistently delivering. Even if Apple never adopts AMD chips, they benefit from the massive price drops Intel has been forced to make to stay competitive in the desktop space. If AMD can deliver similar results in the mobile space, it will force intel's hand on the mobile pricing. Seeing vendors at CES debuting new laptop models with AMD chips is not something that I remember ever happening, and has to have at least put a little fear in team blue.
**Anyone who didn't read about the intel price cuts, they were around 50% on the high end skylake chips, because the cascade lake chips were launching with the same core counts at much lower prices.
It's pretty sad when a 2013 15" MBP with an ancient dedicated GPU is barely beat out by a 2019 13" MBP.
remembering Intel in the Pentium Netburst days, is good, but remember what happened right after. That’s more important.
I doubt they will move to AMD. Yes, a few people who hope they’ll move to them keep saying that it’s possible, there’s a total lack of evidence that they will.
remember that Apple has knowledge of what Intel’s doing that isn’t public yet. Also remember how we felt when Hobs announced that Apple was going to go to Intel. But Apple was right. They knew what was coming, even though no one else did. Not impressed with and, even now. Much of what they have is illusion. It won’t hold up.
Four? I'd rather hope for AMD.
Eight? Is it -U? No? ...
I'd rather hope to switch ARM.
I think they already have, consider AMD have doubling the cores in almost every categories.
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Computers-Accessories-Computer-CPU-Processors/zgbs/pc/229189
I can pretty much guarantee than in two to three years, AMD will be back where they’ve always been. The same thing was said about AMD in the latter years of the Netburst era, when Intel was relying on their superior process technology, and AMD found that they had to go wider instead with their inferior tech. And was running much sliver (like IBM) so they weren’t hit as much by the 90nm problems if the day. But just when Intel was being counted out by the AMD fans, they changed what they were doing and crushed AMD.
I’m not saying the exact same scenario will occur, but anything AMD can do, Intel can do. They’ve learned from their 10nm problems of trying to do everything at once, and that’s behind them. If 7nm comes on schedule around when we expect it, they will be even, or slightly ahead in process. That’s when we’ll really see where things will be.
Yeah we'll see, so far it looks they did worse than Netburst. They've been struggled with heat, performance increase, and now, the competition. When they got their 7nm ready, TSMC will be moving towards 5nm. I know, not that smaller always means better, but the huge advantage once exists were gone.
And thanks to them, the 15" Pro keep souring on RAM.