There are positive reviews of the performance of a central processing unit (CPU) that Intel produced using the 1.8-nanometer (nm; 1 nm is one-billionth of a meter, 18A) process for the first time. Some say this could boost market confidence in Intel's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities and help the company attract foundry (contract chip manufacturing) customers.
Since 2021, Intel has been pushing a strategy called integrated device manufacturer (IDM) 2.0 to reorganize its chip business structure, which had focused on design. The company aims to restore its past standing as an IDM by strengthening in-house manufacturing while delivering results in the foundry business. With the U.S. government seeking to expand the domestic semiconductor supply chain and providing massive support to Intel, some say the strategy is gradually becoming reality. The industry views Intel's new CPU as a visible example of its strengthened manufacturing capabilities. Some analysts say the resulting market impact may be felt more by Samsung Electronics than by TSMC, the top foundry.
According to the industry on the 27th, laptops equipped with Intel's next-generation CPU, the Core Ultra Processor Series 3 (project name "Panther Lake"), are being released in stages. As a result, benchmark results for Panther Lake (quantifying hardware performance through standardized test programs) are being published. Samsung Electronics also released the Galaxy Book6 Ultra and Galaxy Book6 Pro in Korea on the same day with the chip, saying the CPU "greatly improved power efficiency and processing performance."
IT outlets The Verge and Wired published results (based on Geekbench) measuring the performance of the higher-end model (X9 388H) in the Core Ultra Series 3 and gave it a passing grade. They used phrases such as "the biggest success in years" and "a triumphant return," introducing it as a product signaling Intel's rebound.
According to the reports, Panther Lake scored 3,009 in the single-core test, which reflects instant response speed. That is lower than Apple's M5 (4,208) but higher than AMD's Strix Halo (2,986). In the multi-core score, which reflects the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously or perform large-capacity work, it posted 17,268, a level similar to the M5 (17,948). In the integrated graphics processing unit (iGPU) test, it scored 56,839, higher than the M5 (49,059) and lower than the Strix Halo (80,819).
Kyung Hee-kwon, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade (KIET), said, "Rather than assessing Panther Lake merely as the first 18A product, it should be seen as part of a roadmap to appeal to future foundry customers," adding, "The performance is sufficient to raise expectations about the process." The researcher also said, "Through last year, processes at 3 nm or below accounted for around 5% to 8% of the foundry market, but by 2029 that will grow to 45% to 47%," and "I see Panther Lake serving as more than a 'bridgehead' for Intel to recapture leadership in advanced processes."
The industry is paying attention to the fact that Intel achieved high CPU performance on the current 18A process without using ASML's next-generation extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography tool (High-NA EUV). Compared with existing equipment, it can control the wavelength of light more precisely to provide higher resolution, enabling finer circuit patterns. Even without using this tool, Intel optimized an advanced process, suggesting it has secured manufacturing know-how. Intel plans to use the tool to begin pilot production of the 1.4 nm (14A) process in 2027, the first in the industry. The goal is to enter the market about two years ahead of Samsung Electronics and roughly six months to a year ahead of TSMC.
Production yield issues previously flagged for the 18A process have also improved significantly. U.S. investment bank KeyBanc Capital Markets assessed Intel's 18A Production yield at around 60%. A researcher at a market research firm who requested anonymity said, "Intel's 1.8 nm process will pose a greater threat to Samsung Electronics' foundry business than to TSMC, which has achieved a Production yield near 80%," adding, "With direct support from the U.S. government and various tax benefits secured, Intel could also gain the upper hand in price competitiveness."