Thursday, September 7th 2023
Intel's Meteor Lake CPU Breaks Ground with On-Package LPDDR5X Memory Integration
During a recent demonstration, Intel showcased its cutting-edge packaging technologies, EMIB (embedded multi-die interconnect bridge) and Foveros, unveiling the highly-anticipated Meteor Lake processor with integrated LPDDR5X memory. This move appears to align with Apple's successful integration of LPDDR memory into its M1 and M2 chip packages. At the heart of Intel's presentation was the quad-tile Meteor Lake CPU, leveraging Foveros packaging for its chiplets and boasting 16 GB of Samsung's LPDDR5X-7500 memory. Although the specific CPU configuration remains undisclosed, the 16 GB of integrated memory delivers a remarkable peak bandwidth of 120 GB/s, outperforming traditional memory subsystems using DDR5-5200 or LPDDR5-6400.
Nevertheless, this approach comes with trade-offs, such as the potential for system-wide failure if a memory chip malfunctions, limited upgradeability in soldered-down configurations, and the need for more advanced cooling solutions to manage CPU and memory heat. While Apple pioneered on-package LPDDR memory integration in client CPUs, Intel has a history of using package-on-package DRAM with its Atom-branded CPUs for tablets and ultrathin laptops. While this approach simplifies manufacturing, enabling slimmer notebook designs, it curtails configuration flexibility. We are yet to see if big laptop makers such as Dell, HP, and Asus, take on this design in the coming months.
Sources:
Intel, via Tom's Hardware
Nevertheless, this approach comes with trade-offs, such as the potential for system-wide failure if a memory chip malfunctions, limited upgradeability in soldered-down configurations, and the need for more advanced cooling solutions to manage CPU and memory heat. While Apple pioneered on-package LPDDR memory integration in client CPUs, Intel has a history of using package-on-package DRAM with its Atom-branded CPUs for tablets and ultrathin laptops. While this approach simplifies manufacturing, enabling slimmer notebook designs, it curtails configuration flexibility. We are yet to see if big laptop makers such as Dell, HP, and Asus, take on this design in the coming months.
55 Comments on Intel's Meteor Lake CPU Breaks Ground with On-Package LPDDR5X Memory Integration
On-package memory has a couple big benefits primarily due to shorter traces from CPU/IMC to RAM - lower power consumption, easier to reach higher clock speeds. Physically smaller package is a nice to have for mobile applications as well.
SO-DIMMs haven't been a thing on most non-gaming consumer laptops for a long time, and neither is DDR5 desirable from a performance standpoint for larger iGPUs regardless (680M and 780M). Laptops that are big enough for RAM expandability shouldn't be changing anytime soon just because Intel is coming up with different packaging for thinner laptops.
Usual scenario. I open the lid and it keeps on doing something drawing 30-45W of power for like 10-15 mins. Then, it sits at around 8W with high count of spikes up to 20W.
Now i also have M1 macbook pro 13" (which is 1,5 years old now), which is same formfactor as the win ultrabook. When i open lid, it draws 3W. Some spikes up to 10 watts, but rarely. It's pretty much always staying in the range of 3-5W power consumption.
The intel laptop is considerably weaker. Doing same tasks longer than macbook.
I have become so sceptical of intel and windows based laptops, i would be afraid to buy one now seeing how intel stagnated for decades doing same chips over and over again.
macbook and ultrabook cost the same at that time i bought them.
In any case, it looks like Meteor Lake (at least the leaks we've seen so far) is more aimed at the -U and -P segment, the latter of which is in line with larger M1/M2 mobile configurations in max power consumption (around 50-60W), so maybe it's still a non-issue for the designs that Intel is looking for with this specific packaging of Meteor Lake.
Also if it is under load on booting windows it means you have lots of stuff starting with your windows os. I have a 6900hs, it just boots and sits there at idle 2 to 3 watts.I've not yet come across a laptop that doesn't allow you to at least select between silent performance and turbo modes. Silent modes usually power limit the cpu to 30w or less (it's 25 on the 3 laptops I have). You don't get into the bios for that, you do it right there from the desktop on a pre-installed app. There is even a keyboard button on some laptops dedicated for that.
And if these will come in dual channel config, they will beat the crap out of cheap laptops that only come with one memory "stick".
Why should another new node and incremental P-core update be radically different? Any power or thermal headroom they'll just continue to exploit to bump up clocks, as they have done for years (and as is only natural to do).
Intel has been touting Meteor Lake as a unique "efficiency" milestone but I'll believe it when I see this drastic revamp of mobile power limits. In any case, already observed above that thermal issues probably not so likely in -U and -P.
The point of embedding RAM is space saving. And probably reliability, since it makes all traces physically shorter.
Unnecessary, it is better to have adequate cooling and stable performance.
And I'm pretty sure Intel's engineers aren't dumb to the point they design a CPU for space-saving, only to have that negated by the need of a bigger heatsink.
AMD has used LP 7500x memory for a year now.
Apple did the on package memory thing 2 years ago.Space savings, lower power use, better signaling allowing for faster speeds.Meteor lake is going to feature second gen iris cores, which are supposedly much faster then what they currently use, and a larger 128EU core over the current 96 EU. The current 96 EU benefits greatly from DDR5 VRAM in GPU tests. So a larger, faster GPU will want MOAR bandwidth.
We have already seen the effects form AMD, ryzen models with LP 7500 memory obliterate models with LP 6400 in benchmarks, to say nothing of those saddled with 5200 mhz sodimms.There's lots to bash apple over, but efficiency is not one of them.
I'd LOVE to like the apple M series chips, but the total lack of backwards compatibility and vulkan support is a total deal breaker.