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
Sharing cache between CPU and GPU is what doesn't make sense. CPU and GPU tend to access different things, they'd just end up fighting over the same cache space.
My work laptop however uses 60W under load and the fans kick on loud unfortunately during routine tasks. Whereas my my powerful MacBook uses less watts, makes less noise, and is more powerful.
My main issue honestly with PC laptops aren’t with the hardware, but with windows. It can be a real PITA.
All the talk of this OS over that OS is nonsense. The fact is they are all good now (kinda like web browsers). They have used each other's successes over the past decades and are now basically all the same but with different skins.
Then there's the issue of Windows update automatically updating radeon drivers to versions not on AMD's website, versions that are unstable and cause green screens or driver time out issues, or no communication between the driver and the power levels/fan speed. I had to manually turn off driver updates, and uninstall the Windows update version(s) and then reinstall the driver from AMD.com.
Recently there was an automatic update that caused my user account to fail to log in. In all the years I've used windows, from NT to 2000 to XP and later, I've never had that happen. Yet with Windows 11, that's a thing. I had to create a new user just to be able to use my PC.
Then there's been the host of security vulnerabilities. I've had random green screens for seemingly no reason.
Windows 11 has been a nightmare. It is not properly baked. I've been in the trenches, I know what I'm talking about. It's to the point where I don't even load Windows 11 at home AT ALL, unless I am gaming... Otherwise, I use Linux or macOS. I've had far less problems with those OSes, they are much more stable for day to day use, in my experience...