While Intel continues to put out fires surrounding its top-tier Raptor Lake desktop CPUs, the chipmaker recently published a statement over the state of its 18A process is back from the development labs and in working orders. What this means basically is that the chips made with the lithography are not only functional, but also work well enough that they can complete day-to-day tasks.
“We are pioneering multiple systems foundry technologies for the AI era and delivering a full stack of innovation that’s essential to the next generation of products for Intel and our foundry customers. We are encouraged by our progress and are working closely with customers to bring Intel 18A to market in 2025,” Kevin O’Buckley, Intel senior vice president and general manager of Foundry Services, says. On a related note, it also release its PDK 1.0 tools for customers to finish designing their chips for production.
Intel 18A also marks the first successful implementation of both the RibbonFET and PowerVia backside power technology for foundry customers. “Working in concert with its resilient, more sustainable and trusted manufacturing capacity and supply chain, as well as the industry’s leading advanced packaging technology, Intel Foundry brings together all the components needed to design and manufacture next-generation AI solutions that scale and run more efficiently.”
While Intel plans on implementing 18A will first see distribution amongst its server and AI PC clients, the process node will be the bedrock for the chipmaker’s Panther Lake. Again, the company says it’s looking at a 2025 announcement and release and if its momentum is anything to go by and its current dumpster fire notwithstanding, it wouldn’t be wrong to expect it to meet that deadline.
