Intel’s Game-Changing Overhaul: Cobra Core Set to Revolutionize x86 Processors by 2027

Intel is developing a series of improved and next-generation versions of the x86 family, but it doesn’t disclose that information. But thanks to a social media post by an Intel employee, we’ve inadvertently gotten a glimpse into the future.

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Intel has three main processor codenames: Rapids for data center processors like Sapphire Rapids, Falls for high-end gaming and professional desktops, and Lake for mainstream desktops. There are several projects called “Core” that focus on improving the core architecture.

The current generation core architecture is Lion Cove, which is the current generation performance core (P-core) used in both desktop and server products. Then comes the Royal Core architecture, and the interesting part is Cobra Core, which is believed to be its successor.

According to some rumors, the Royal Core architecture abandons hyper-threading and focuses on improving single-core performance and efficiency. Instead, Intel plans to replace hyper-threading with a unit that splits multi-threaded instructions into two partitions and decides whether to move the partition to the P-core or E-core.

As for Cobra Core, an Intel employee posted on LinkedIn that Royal/Cobra Core was in development while he was working at Intel. The post, discovered by Gamma’s Hardware Information, a Korean hardware enthusiast site, states that the intention of the Royal/Cobra Core project is to “create a new architecture for Intel x86 processors that is more energy efficient and performs better than other competitors on the market.” “Run.”

Intel appears to be planning a major overhaul of the Core x86 architecture, similar to AMD’s Zen architecture a few years ago. However, “Gamma’s Hardware Information” does not provide a direct link to the LinkedIn profile, and Intel has not confirmed this rumor.

How much faith should we give to this rumor? Enthusiast sites tend to be speculative, but they usually have well-connected information networks and often provide accurate information. And LinkedIn has been the source of many leaks, with engineers posting developments on unannounced future projects.

“I’ve never heard of this rumor, but it makes sense,” said Alvin Nguyen, an analyst at Forrester Research. “Improving single-core performance and efficiency, and rebooting the x86 architecture to resemble AMD’s Zen architecture, will help make desktop processors more competitive with AMD, which still has the edge in power efficiency and gaming performance.”

But we still have to wait a long time. According to current speculations, Royal Core will be released in 2025 and Cobra Core in 2027.
editor@itworld.co.kr