Intel launches Meteor Lake and Raptor Lake for systems on the edge
The first official LGA-1851 processor is here.
In 2023, Intel’s plans for the LGA-1851 socket didn’t materialize as rumored. Although there were expectations for the launch of the Meteor Lake-S desktop CPU series, Intel opted to prioritize the mobile segment instead. This decision led to the cancellation of the “S” series. However, Intel didn’t completely abandon the idea of introducing the architecture to desktops.
Intel has just unveiled its Meteor Lake-PS architecture, tailored for edge systems. This marks the introduction of the first Core Ultra processor on an LGA socket, specifically the LGA-1851 . While Meteor Lake is indeed being launched for this socket, its focus is not on gamers and enthusiasts.
Core Ultra for LAG-1851 socket, Source: Intel
Intel is promoting the series as the ‘PS series of Core Ultra processors designed to power AI-enabled edge devices’. These chips are geared towards enhancing the capabilities of edge systems that require AI acceleration, media processing, and visual computing. After all, Meteor Lake CPUs also come with integrated Arc graphics.
The new socketed system-on-chip (SoC) is designed to enable generative AI (GenAI) and demanding graphics workloads at the edge for retail, education, smart cities, and industrial customers, including GenAI-enabled kiosks, smart point-of-sale systems in brick-and-mortar retailers, interactive whiteboards for enhanced inclassroom experiences and AI vision-enhanced industrial devices for manufacturing and roadside units.
Intel has revealed details about the default TDP class for Meteor Lake-PS, which stands at 45W. However, customers will have the flexibility to configure SKUs within a range of 20 to 65W. Additionally, a low-power version with a 15W rating (12-28W configurable TDP) is available, denoted by HL and UL series. These variants are essentially derived from H and U chips found in the mobile segment but packaged for desktop use on the LGA platform.
Although there’s mention of a Core Ultra 3 processor, the lineup appears to lack Core Ultra 9 SKUs.
Core Ultra for LAG-1851 socket, Source: Intel
The desktop LGA-1851 socket is designed to support DDR5-5600 memory and accommodate up to two PCIe Gen4 SSDs. Moreover, users can connect to four Thunderbolt 4 devices. Interestingly, Thunderbolt 5, WiFi7, or PCIe Gen5 interface support is not included in this iteration. Intel confirms that the LGA-1851 socket measures 45×37.5mm, identical in size to LGA-1700, but they are not compatible interchangeably.
Intel has confirmed that LGA-1851 Meteor Lake processors will launch in Q4, just as one should be expecting a consumer Core series based on Arrow Lake-S. There is also a small refresh of Raptor Lake for edge systems with LGA1700 socket, but those represent nothing new in comparison.
Source: Intel