A slide showing details of Intel's 13th Generation Raptor Lake desktop CPU platform was leaked at the NAS Conference in Shenzhen. This slide gives us a good idea of what the upcoming processor should do, but it's also missing a key feature.
In theory, Intel's 13th-generation Raptor Lake CPU is an optimized version of the 12th-generation Alder Lake CPU. They will be based on the same 10nm ESF "Intel 7" process nodes, using the same P and E core designs, and will be supported on existing motherboards. But Raptor Lake has changed a lot.
Intel Raptor Lake 13th Generation Desktop CPU expected features:
Up to 24 cores and 32 threads
New Raptor Cove CPU core (higher P core IPC)
Based on the 10nm ESF Intel 7 process node
Supports existing LGA 1700 motherboards
Dual channel DDR5-5600 memory support
20 PCIe Gen 5 channels
Enhanced overclocking capabilities
125W PL1 TDP (flagship SKU)
Intel insists that its LGA 1700 platform has at least one CPU lineup, Raptor Lake. Chipzilla confirmed that the Raptor Lake CPU will be compatible with existing LGA 1700 motherboards based on the 600 Series chipset. But as with every generation, motherboard makers will offer a range of brand new motherboards based on the 700 series chipset, which will have higher I/O channels. In addition, Raptor Lake chips will support DDR5-5600, which is a big increase over the native DDR5-5200 speeds supported by Alder Lake. Cpus will also continue to support DDR4-3200 on D4 series motherboards.
This provides a good upgrade path for users currently running mainstream Core I3 or Core I5 cpus who want to upgrade to high-end chips. They can simply replace existing 12th-generation cpus with higher-end Core I7 or Core I9 SKUs, which will improve overall PC performance.
The 13th generation of cpus will also have enhanced overclocking capabilities. Alder Lake's core I9-12900KS SKU currently reaches 5.5ghz and has a maximum power rating of up to 260W, the highest ever on a mainstream platform. In addition, Raptor Lake cpus will provide 16 PCIe Gen 5.0 channels, four PCIe 4.0 channels, and one X8 interconnect (Gen 4) for DMI. In addition to the addition of USB 3.2 Gen 2X2 (20G) ports, PCIe 3.0 and SATA III connections, the PCH will also host additional PCI Gen 4.0 channels.
There is also a new AI M.2 module support, powered by Raptor Lake CPUS, but the slide does not mention PCIe Gen 5 support for M.2, which is a bit odd. Recently, Intel has been rumored to have a Z790 motherboard with PCIe Gen 5, but given that AMD will be adopting Gen 5 for its 600 series platform, Intel is likely to offer Gen 5 M.2 SSD support on its latest motherboards, But these X16 Gen 5 CPU channels will be split between DGPus and M.2 SSDS.