Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan Outlines Roadmap: Panther Lake, Nova Lake, and 18A Process Node Ready for 2025 and Beyond
Intel’s newly appointed CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, recently provided a comprehensive update regarding the company’s strategic direction and future technological developments. In an official communication to shareholders, Tan confirmed key milestones for Intel’s highly anticipated 18A process node, alongside details regarding upcoming CPU architectures such as Panther Lake and Nova Lake.
According to the latest information shared in Intel’s Annual Report, the company's advanced 18A manufacturing node will enter high-volume manufacturing (HVM) later this year. CEO Tan emphasized the critical nature of this technology in reinforcing Intel's position within the semiconductor industry. The 18A process features the introduction of two major innovations: RibbonFET, Intel's version of gate-all-around transistors, designed to deliver enhanced transistor performance with reduced footprint, and PowerVia, Intel’s proprietary backside power delivery solution aimed at significantly improving signal transmission and overall efficiency.
Panther Lake will be Intel's first consumer CPU family to utilize the 18A process technology. This lineup, targeted primarily toward mobile and laptop markets, is currently in the final phases of sampling and is on track for commercial availability in the second half of 2025. Panther Lake's introduction marks a critical moment for Intel, showcasing the company's renewed capabilities in advanced manufacturing technologies.
Following Panther Lake, Intel’s Nova Lake CPUs are scheduled to debut in 2026, built upon the subsequent 14A process node. Nova Lake is expected to substantially increase the core count for consumer CPUs, with preliminary information suggesting configurations could reach up to 16 Performance cores (P-Cores) and up to 32 Efficiency cores (E-Cores). This represents a significant step forward in performance scalability, targeting both desktop and mobile platforms. Intel’s 14A node is designed to further refine the 18A technology, delivering approximately 15% performance-per-watt improvements, with a specialized enhanced variant, labeled 14A-E, expected to deliver an additional 5% performance boost.
On the server front, Intel has confirmed the launch of its Clearwater Forest processors in the first half of 2026, marking the company’s initial server product deployment based on the 18A process node. Clearwater Forest CPUs will leverage Intel’s Foveros Direct 3D stacking technology and could feature up to 288 E-Cores, positioning them strategically within the competitive data center and enterprise sectors.
Additionally, CEO Tan reaffirmed Intel’s dedication to maintaining and expanding its U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. Intel plans to commence high-volume production of the 18A node at its state-of-the-art Arizona fabrication facility by late 2025. This initiative is part of Intel’s broader strategy to secure technology leadership and enhance domestic semiconductor supply chains.
Intel intends to share further details regarding these developments at its Vision 2025 event, scheduled for March 31.
We welcome your thoughts on Intel’s future direction under CEO Lip-Bu Tan. Share your perspectives in the comments below.
