News Intel: 18A-based CPUs will ramp to high volume in 2026

[Admin]

Intel's Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest will start production in 2025, but won't ramp to high volume until 2026.

Intel: 18A-based CPUs will ramp to high volume in 2026 : Read more

 

[thestryker]

The article is correct, but the headline is misleading. The first Intel CPUs using 18A are absolutely 2025 products, but the node itself is also the first leading edge to go to outside customers. This was further clarified in the Q&A which went back and forth because they were talking both margins and manufacture.

Q: Did you say 2026 for 18A volume, 2025 for 3 volume?

A: 18A goes into volume in 2025, however the volume and impact P&L will be 2026. The bulk of wafers in 2025 are Intel 3. Good amounts of Intel 3 in 2025. 18A wafers in 2026. No change in schedule. Ramping Panther Lake, CWF. Everything is looking good!

from the transcription Ian Cutress did

 

[MXM0]

The article title is very misleading, although technically correct. High volume doesn't mean they won't be making chips on it -- they will, but only their own products, and products for other customers will follow.

Also, not noted is that 18A is a refinement of 20A, which is already running -- 20A will never go into volume production because all the fabs that make it will turn into 18A during 2025. As such, 18A will seem lower volume, but the truth is that it's "prototype" process, 20A, will be running in parallel, in 2025.