Intel’s upcoming CPUs are ditching a major feature | Digital Trends

Intel’s upcoming CPUs are ditching a major feature | Digital Trends


Intel has announced that its upcoming Arrow Lake Processors will be released this year, but with a notable change in features. The new processors will exclusively support DDR5 memory, as opposed to offering compatibility with both DDR4 and DDR5 like previous generations. This information was leaked on Chipel, a popular tech forum.

The leaked slide also revealed that the Arrow Lake CPU will utilize dual-channel DDR5 memory, a move that was anticipated due to Intel’s transition to a new socket, the LGA 1851, from the existing LGA 1700 socket. While Intel’s recent CPU generations have supported both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, allowing for cost-effective upgrades, the decision to solely support DDR5 with Arrow Lake marks a significant shift.

Since the launch of the Core i9-12900K, Intel’s dual-memory standard support has led to a reduction in DDR5 prices. Previously expensive kits of DDR5 memory have become more affordable, with prices dropping from $200-$250 for a 32GB kit to around $110. This price reduction, coupled with the decreasing popularity of DDR4 motherboards, makes Intel’s move to exclusively support DDR5 at the right time.

Further details from the leak indicate that the Arrow Lake platform will feature 20 dedicated processors, including 16 PCIe 5.0 lanes for the GPU and four for storage, along with an additional four PCIe 4.0 lanes. This configuration expands the system’s capabilities compared to the previous generation, offering better support for future PCIe 5.0 GPUs.

While Intel has confirmed the release of Arrow Lake CPUs this year, an exact launch date is yet to be announced. The company is expected to provide more information about Arrow Lake at its innovation event on September 24, which will also focus on the upcoming Lunar Lake Laptop CPUs set to launch in September.

In summary, Intel’s Arrow Lake Processors will introduce exclusive DDR5 memory support, signaling a shift away from DDR4 compatibility seen in previous generations. The move comes at a time when DDR5 prices have become more affordable and DDR4 motherboards are less popular. The platform’s 20 dedicated processors and PCIe lane configurations indicate improved performance and readiness for future technologies. Intel’s upcoming innovation event in September will likely provide more insights into the Arrow Lake CPUs and their impact on the tech industry.

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