Flagship Meteor Lake 22-core CPU apparently canceled as Intel could market MTL-S towards prospective Core i5/i7 gamers

We previously reported that Intel’s upcoming 14th gen Meteor Lake architecture could launch in Q4 2023. The new architecture was rumored to pack new Redwood Cove P-cores and Crestmont E-cores that will apparently bring 15-28% and more than 15% IPC uplifts respectively. The information came to us through Tom from Moore’s Law Is Dead. The leaker now claims that flagship Meteor Lake chip may be facing development issues.

Per the leaker, Intel may be having trouble developing the flagship desktop 6 P-core and 16 E-core configuration. One of Tom’s sources claimed that the top 8 P-core + 16 E-core and 6 P-core + 16 E-core MTL-S desktop SKUs “seem cancelled or at a minimum not guaranteed anymore”. The source also stated that the 8 E-core + 6 P-core which Tom calls a “laptop die” could occupy the top spot within the desktop Meteor Lake lineup.

Moreover, Meteor Lake’s LGA 1851 socket is reportedly “still in active development”. There is also alleged information that, in 1H 2024, the Meteor Lake desktop could be marketed as a gaming platform chiefly for users in search of a Core i5 and Core i7 system, as there is “no i9 mentioned” in the suggested marketing materials.

Finally, another source suggested that the Meteor Lake desktop team “isn’t executing successfully” which could result in delays. Meteor Lake mobile development, on the other hand, appears to be progressing fine with slight delays due to troubles with the Intel 4 node. The source also posited that “if we are lucky” laptops with Meteor Lake mobile CPUs could come out in Q3 2023.

It bears mentioning that we don’t expect to hear official details about Intel Meteor Lake anytime soon. When it comes to CPUs, companies can change the specs of the processor and the product strategy quite quickly. So, take these rumors with a giant grain of salt.

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