Intel’s upcoming Panther Lake CPUs are generating excitement as close-up die shots reveal the intricately designed Compute Tile. These processors, part of the “Core Ultra Series 3,” are set to launch soon, utilizing Intel’s cutting-edge 18A process technology. The Panther Lake CPUs will feature a blend of advanced CPU and GPU cores, NPU architectures, and innovative Media/Video engines.
Unveiling Intel’s Panther Lake Architecture
The first die shot of the Panther Lake Compute Tile has surfaced, showcasing its vital components. This Compute Tile integrates next-gen Cougar Cove P-Cores, Darkmont E-Cores, and LP-E cores, along with L2 and L3 caches. Reports suggest this is a major leap for Intel as the Panther Lake chips comprise several tiles including Compute, Graphics, and Platform Controller, each crafted with specialized manufacturing techniques.
Intel’s Panther Lake features multiple tiles: the Intel-made 18A Compute Tile, the Graphics Tile potentially made using Intel 3 or TSMC N3E, and the Platform Controller Tile from TSMC N6. Additionally, it includes a Base Tile, Filler Tile, and advanced packaging technologies like Foveros.
The die shot highlights the 18A Compute Tile with three clusters of Darkmont cores, each containing four cores, alongside two Cougar Cove P-Cores. The dimensions of these cores are specified, with Cougar Cove P-Cores at approximately 4.49mm² and Darkmont E-Cores at around 1.09mm² per core.
Comparing Core Architectures
A table comparison illustrates how Panther Lake cores differ from Lunar Lake and Meteor Lake counterparts. Cougar Cove P-Cores share similar dimensions with Lunar Lake’s Lion Cove P-Cores, while the Darkmont E-Core area is notably smaller.
| Panther Lake | Die Size | Lunar Lake | Die Size | Meteor Lake | Die Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cougar Cove P-Core | ~4.49mm2 | Lion Cove P-Core | 4.45mm2 | Redwood Cove P-Core | 5.33mm2 |
| Darkmont E-Core | ~0.95mm2 | Skymont E-Core | 1.09mm2 | Crestmont E-Core | 1.04mm2 |
| Darkmont Cluster | ~6.47mm2 | Skymont Cluster | 6.79mm2 | Crestmont Cluster | 5.90mm2 |
Intel has also delineated the cache setups for the Panther Lake cores. Cougar Cove P-Cores feature 3 MB L2 and 256Kb L1 caches per core, while Darkmont E-Cores have 4 MB L2 and 96 Kb L1 caches per cluster.
The Panther Lake processors are eagerly anticipated as Intel prepares for their grand unveiling at CES 2026. With these detailed insights into the architecture and capabilities, tech enthusiasts and industry experts alike await the official launch.