October 9, 2025. On October 9, Intel announced the architectural details for its next-generation Intel Core Ultra Series 3 client processors (codenamed Panther Lake), scheduled to begin shipping later this year. Panther Lake is the company’s first product based on Intel 18A, the most advanced semiconductor process ever designed and manufactured in the United States.
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Intel also unveiled Xeon 6+ (codenamed Clearwater Forest), its first Intel 18A-based server processor, which is expected to launch in the first half of 2026. Both Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest, as well as multiple generations of Intel 18A-based products, will be manufactured in Fab 52, Intel’s new state-of-the-art fab in Chandler, Arizona – a major milestone as Intel invests in strengthening U.S. technology and manufacturing leadership and building a resilient semiconductor supply chain.
“We are entering an exciting new era of computing, enabled by major advances in semiconductor technology that will shape the future for decades to come,” said Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan. “Our next-generation computing platforms, combined with our leading process technology, manufacturing and advanced packaging capabilities, are catalysts for innovation across our organization as we build a new Intel. The United States has always been home to Intel’s most advanced research and development, product design and manufacturing – and we are proud to build on that legacy as we expand our operations domestically and bring new innovations to market.”
The 3rd generation Intel Core Ultra processors are the first client system-on-chips (SoC) based on Intel 18A and are designed to power a broad range of consumer and enterprise AI PCs, gaming devices and edge solutions. Panther Lake introduces a scalable multi-chiplet architecture that offers partners unprecedented flexibility across form factors, segments and price points.
Highlights include:
Beyond the PC, Panther Lake also extends to edge applications such as robotics. A new Intel Robotics AI software suite and reference board will enable customers with sophisticated AI capabilities to rapidly innovate and develop cost-effective robots using Panther Lake for control and AI perception.
Panther Lake will go into production later this year, with the first SKU shipping before the end of the year and a broad market launch planned for January 2026.
Clearwater Forest is Intel’s next-generation E-core processor. This processor, called Intel Xeon 6+, is the most efficient server processor the company has ever developed and is based on Intel 18A. Intel plans to launch Xeon 6+ in the first half of 2026.
Highlights include:
Clearwater Forest is designed specifically for hyperscale data centers, cloud providers and telcos, enabling enterprises to scale workloads, reduce energy costs and deliver smarter services.
Intel 18A is the first 2-nanometer class node designed and manufactured in the United States, offering up to 15% better performance per watt and 30% improved chip density compared to Intel 3.5. The node was developed, qualified for manufacturing and put into early production at the company’s Oregon facility. High-volume production is currently underway in Arizona.
Intel 18A’s key innovations include:
In addition, Foveros, Intel’s advanced packaging and 3D chip stacking technology, enables the stacking and integration of multiple chiplets into advanced SoC designs, providing flexibility, scalability and system-level performance.
Intel 18A is the foundation for at least three upcoming generations of Intel’s client and server products.
Fab 52: Building on Intel’s five decades of research, development and manufacturing investment in the U.S.
Fab 52 is Intel’s fifth major fab on the Ocotillo campus in Chandler, Arizona. This facility produces the most advanced logic chips in the United States and is part of Intel’s $100 billion investment in expanding its domestic operations.
With advanced R&D and manufacturing in Oregon, high-volume manufacturing in Arizona and packaging operations in New Mexico, Intel is uniquely positioned to support key national priorities and provide strategic capacity for Intel Foundry customers. Fab 52 builds on Intel’s 56 years of U.S. R&D and manufacturing experience and marks an important milestone in building a trusted, leading U.S. foundry for the age of AI.
For more information on all disclosures, please visit: www.intel.com/performanceindex. Results may vary.
1 Estimated using SPECrate®2017_int_base (n copies) for long-term expected processor power consumption in continuous operation. As of September 2025, results may vary. Further information can be found at www.intel.com/performanceindex.
2 Estimated according to SPECrate®2017_int_base (n copies). As of September 2025, results may vary. For more information, please visit www.intel.com/performanceindex.
3 Measured on the Panther Lake reference validation platform compared to the Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake-H reference validation platforms, measured with 3Dmark Solar Bay, Cyberpunk 2077 and Borderlands 3.
4 Based on product specifications. For more information, please visit www.ark.intel.com.
5 Based on Intel internal analysis comparing Intel 18A to Intel 3 as of February 2024. Results may vary. https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/foundry/process/18a.html
Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) designs and manufactures advanced semiconductors that connect and power the modern world. Every day, our engineers develop new technologies that improve and shape the future of computing to open up new possibilities for our customers
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Photo: Intel Corporation
