Intel crams Meteor Lake laptop chips into a socket for edge computing — includes Arc graphics and NPU for AI workloads

Edge computing generic image of woman looking at tech icons floating in the air.
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Intel announced it's finally bringing LGA1851 socket-compatible Core Ultra processors based on the Meteor Lake architecture to the market. But before you get your hopes up, these chips are targeted at edge computing rather than consumer desktops. Intel's new edge-focused CPUs will be the first-ever Meteor Lake CPUs to come in an LGA socket format.

The chips are optimized for on-premise edge computing. Intel reports that its Core Ultra processors for edge will offer up to 5X better image classification inference performance compared to its outgoing 14th Gen Raptor Lake Refresh desktop processors. The new chips incorporate all of Intel's bleeding-edge Meteor Lake architecture, including an Arc-based iGPU and an NPU for graphics and AI-based workloads.

The chips target customers in retail, education, industrial, kiosk, and smart point-of-sale-systems for brick-and-mortar stores, to name a few. Edge computing is a large business for Intel and encompasses more than 90,000 deployments alone. These new Meteor Lake parts, announced at the company's Vision 2024 event, will likely sell like hotcakes as the industry continues to shift computing strategies from mainstream cloud solutions to edge-focused applications.

Edge computing is nothing new, but its capabilities have become extremely popular over the past few years. Edge computing is a strategy that localizes most of the computing power that is usually provided by cloud services. In a practical application, devices within a theoretical business will connect directly to a small mainframe located inside the building for data processing. This is different from traditional cloud computing where business devices (like kiosks) connect directly to a cloud service provider.

Edge computing has massively grown in popularity over the past few years as data consumption has ballooned beyond what the internet can handle. According to TechTarget, 75% of enterprise-generated data is expected to be created outside centralized data centers, including through edge-based solutions.

So far Intel has unveiled five Meteor Lake PS 15W SKUs and four Meteor Lake PS 45W models. The 15W parts include Core Ultra 3, Core Ultra 5, and Core Ultra 7 SKUs with core counts ranging from 8 to 12. All of these chips have just two P-cores while the rest of the cores are E-cores and LPE-cores. Boost clocks range from 4.2 GHz to 4.9 GHz on the P-cores, depending on the model.

The Meteor Lake PS 45W chips have far more cores, ranging from 14 to 16 total. The Core Ultra 5 models come with four P-cores, eight E-cores, and two LPE-cores, while the higher end Core Ultra 7 models have six P-cores, eight E-cores, and two LPE-cores. Clocks range from 4.5 GHz to 5 GHz, depending on the model.

While these are edge-focused CPUs, the fact that they use socket LGA1851 means they could be compatible with future LGA1851 desktop boards. LGA1851 is the successor to LGA1700 and is expected to arrive on the consumer side with Intel Arrow Lake CPUs. Compatibility will come down to the firmware availability and whether or not Intel wants to include support for the processors on all platforms and chipsets, or if support will be restricted to specific boards.

Regardless, if you're an enthusiast or a desktop user, Intel's edge-focused chips shouldn't be on your radar. Intel is already preparing to launch an enhanced desktop version of Meteor Lake (codenamed Arrow Lake) later this year, sporting a more advanced Intel processing node and 5x the AI performance, and likely with more CPU cores. Arrow Lake will be optimized for gaming and desktop computing and will be the first Intel desktop CPU lineup to incorporate an NPU.

Aaron Klotz
Contributing Writer

Aaron Klotz is a contributing writer for Tom’s Hardware, covering news related to computer hardware such as CPUs, and graphics cards.

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  • Very poorly written article. There are many more details/slides Intel shared which you didn't even bother including. These are the same Meteor Lake PS chips which were spotted before.

    IBASE, an embedded and industrial PC/component manufacturer was the first company to list LGA 1851 socketed motherboard featuring support for Intel's Meteor Lake-PS "Core Ultra" CPUs.

    https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/cpus/meteor-lake-ps-cpus-will-be-the-first-chips-to-use-intels-lga1851-socket
    Intel didn't share any key specifications or model names for any of its upcoming edge-focused Core Ultra processors.

    Really ? I thought they have already shared the info ?

    https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/details/embedded-processors/core-ultra/ps.html#tab-blade-1-0
    There are at least 9 SKUs mentioned which include four Meteor Lake PS 45W and five Meteor Lake PS 15W chips.

    The top chip is the Intel Core Ultra 7 (Series 1) 165HL & packs a total of 16 cores and 22 threads in a 6+8+2 (P/E/LP-E) configuration. The chip features 24 MB of L3 cache, a clock speed of up to 5.0 GHz, and can scale up to 65W.

    The Alchemist Arc iGPU is equipped with 8 Xe-cores of 128 execution units running at 2.3 GHz and supports up to 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes.

    CPU NameCores / Threads (Config)Base / Boost ClockGPU Cores / ClockL3 CachePCIe Lanes / MemoryTDPCore Ultra 7 165HL16 / 22 (6+8+2)3.10 / 5.00 GHz128 EUs @ 2.30 GHz24 MB20 Gen 4 / DDR5-560020 (Min) / 45 (Base) / 65 (Max)Core Ultra 7 155HL16 / 22 (6+8+2)3.00 / 4.80 GHz128 EUs @ 2.25 GHz24 MB20 Gen 4 / DDR5-560020 (Min) / 45 (Base) / 65 (Max)Core Ultra 5 135HL14 / 18 (4+8+2)3.20 / 4.60 GHz128 EUs @ 2.20 GHz18 MB20 Gen 4 / DDR5-560020 (Min) / 45 (Base) / 65 (Max)Core Ultra 5 125HL14 / 18 (4+8+2)3.00 / 4.50 GHz112 EUs @ 2.20 GHz18 MB20 Gen 4 / DDR5-560020 (Min) / 45 (Base) / 65 (Max)Core Ultra 7 165UL12 / 14 (2+8+2)2.70 / 4.90 GHz64 EUs @ 2.00 GHz12 MB20 Gen 4 / DDR5-560012 (Min) / 15 (Base) / 28 (Max)Core Ultra 7 155UL12 / 14 (2+8+2)2.70 / 4.80 GHz64 EUs @ 1.95 GHz12 MB20 Gen 4 / DDR5-560012 (Min) / 15 (Base) / 28 (Max)Core Ultra 5 135UL12 / 14 (2+8+2)2.70 / 4.40 GHz64 EUs @ 1.90 GHz12 MB20 Gen 4 / DDR5-560012 (Min) / 15 (Base) / 28 (Max)Core Ultra 5 125UL12 / 14 (2+8+2)2.70 / 4.30 GHz64 EUs @ 1.85 GHz12 MB20 Gen 4 / DDR5-560012 (Min) / 15 (Base) / 28 (Max)Core Ultra 3 105UL8 / 10 (2+4+2)2.70 / 4.20 GHz64 EUs @ 1.80 GHz10 MB20 Gen 4 / DDR5-560012 (Min) / 15 (Base) / 28 (Max)
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  • Some more details/slides worth mentioning, just in case anyone is interested.

    The CPU socket is listed with support of up to DDR5-5600 memory, TBT4 IO, and has dimensions of 45 by 37.5mm.

    Core Ultra "Meteor Lake PS" CPUs offer up to 5.02x faster GPU performance, 3.13x faster AI performance, and 3.85x lower power for AI and graphics workloads vs the previous generation.

    https://i.imgur.com/OgwAylJ.jpeg
    https://i.imgur.com/TmRAw6Q.jpeg
    https://cdn.wccftech.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Intel-Core-Ultra-Meteor-Lake-PS-LGA-1851-Socket-CPUs.png

    BTW, Intel has also released new "Raptor Lake PS" LGA 1700 Socketed CPUs as well, including brand new embedded Atom Processors under the x7000RE series for the Edge computing platforms.
    https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/details/embedded-processors/core/ps.html#tab-blade-1-0
    Intel Core "Raptor Lake PS" LGA 1700 CPUs For Edge"

    CPU NameCores / Threads (Config)Base / Boost ClockGPU Cores / ClockL3 CachePCIe Lanes / MemoryTDPCore 7 160HL14 / 20 (6+8)2.90 / 5.20 GHz96 EUs @ 1.50 GHz24 MB20 / D5-5200/D4-320035 (Min) / 45 (Base) / 65 (Max)Core 7 150HL14 / 20 (6+8)2.90 / 5.00 GHz96 EUs @ 1.50 GHz24 MB20 / D5-5200/D4-320035 (Min) / 45 (Base) / 65 (Max)Core 5 130HL12 / 16 (4+8)3.30 / 4.80 GHz80 EUs @ 1.50 GHz18 MB20 / D5-5200/D4-320035 (Min) / 45 (Base) / 65 (Max)Core 5 120HL12 / 16 (4+8)3.20 / 4.70 GHz80 EUs @ 1.45 GHz18 MB20 / D5-5200/D4-320035 (Min) / 45 (Base) / 65 (Max)Core 3 100HL8 / 12 (4+4)2.60 / 4.60 GHz48 EUs @ 1.40 GHz12 MB20 / D5-5200/D4-320035 (Min) / 45 (Base) / 65 (Max)Core 7 160UL10 / 12 (2+8)2.70 / 5.20 GHz96 EUs @ 1.30 GHz12 MB20 / D5-5200/D4-320012 (Min) / 15 (Base) / 28 (Max)Core 7 150UL10 / 12 (2+8)2.60 / 5.00 GHz96 EUs @ 1.30 GHz12 MB20 / D5-5200/D4-320012 (Min) / 15 (Base) / 28 (Max)Core 5 130UL10 / 12 (2+8)2.50 / 4.70 GHz80 EUs @ 1.25 GHz12 MB20 / D5-5200/D4-320012 (Min) / 15 (Base) / 28 (Max)Core 5 120UL10 / 12 (2+8)2.50 / 4.60 GHz80 EUs @ 1.25 GHz12 MB20 / D5-5200/D4-320012 (Min) / 15 (Base) / 28 (Max)Core 3 100UL6 / 8 (2+4)2.50 / 4.50 GHz64 EUs @ 1.25 GHz10 MB20 / D5-5200/D4-320012 (Min) / 15 (Base) / 28 (Max)
    https://cdn.wccftech.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Intel-Core-Raptor-Lake-PS-LGA-1700-Socket-CPUs.png
    Intel Atom Processors x7000RE CPUs For Edge:
    CPU NameCores / Threads (Config)Base / Boost ClockGPU Cores / ClockTDPAtom x7211RE2 Cores1.00 / 3.20 GHz16 EU @ 1.00 GHz6WAtom x7213RE2 Cores2.00 / 3.40 GHz16 EU @ 1.00 GHz9WAtom x7433RE4 Cores1.50 / 3.40 GHz32 EU @ 1.00 GHz9WAtom x7835RE8 Cores1.30 / 3.60 GHz32 EU @ 1.20 GHz12W
    Reply
  • thestryker
    It's kind of interesting that the "new" RPL CPUs are all the mobile SKUs, but I'm guessing that's because of the IGP. I also wonder what PCH is going to be used as the prior leak motherboard pic shows a heatsink which in theory would be for one.
    Reply
  • Yes, I think those should be Raptor Lake-H mobile series SKUs used for Edge applications, based on the higher number of iGPU core count, 96 EUs.
    Reply
  • TechyIT223
    A bit off topic,

    So this new socket 1851 platform is gonna last for how many generations of processors for us gamers, when it arrives later this year?

    Starting with consumer gaming Arrow Lake S chips ? I guess at least 2-3 generations as min.

    Intel provides less socket longevity than AMD unless I'm mistaken.
    Reply
  • thestryker
    TechyIT223 said:
    So this new socket 1851 platform is gonna last for how many generations of processors for us gamers, when it arrives later this year?
    Nobody knows for sure given this is a weird situation. MTL was supposed to come to desktop using 1851, but now it won't and ARL will be the launch product. It'll really depend on what the plan was going forward as to whether or not the generation afterwards also uses the same socket. I'd imagine if it's doable they will, and 1700/1851 use the same motherboard socket design so who knows whether the next one was supposed to as well (1156-1200 all did which was ~11 years).
    Reply
  • bit_user
    Metal Messiah. said:
    Intel Atom Processors x7000RE CPUs For Edge:
    CPU NameCores / Threads (Config)Base / Boost ClockGPU Cores / ClockTDPAtom x7211RE2 Cores1.00 / 3.20 GHz16 EU @ 1.00 GHz6WAtom x7213RE2 Cores2.00 / 3.40 GHz16 EU @ 1.00 GHz9WAtom x7433RE4 Cores1.50 / 3.40 GHz32 EU @ 1.00 GHz9WAtom x7835RE8 Cores1.30 / 3.60 GHz32 EU @ 1.20 GHz12W
    Wow! I hadn't even seen a mention of Amston Lake, before now!

    Weirdly, I think it still uses Gracemont cores?? And not even clusters with double the L2 cache, like in Raptor Lake! The Ark listing show their lithography as Intel 7, so that pretty much confirms it!

    So, what was the point, then? Can anyone explain how these differ from Alder Lake-N?
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  • TechyIT223
    So many generations of "Lakes" in the making. 😅
    Reply
  • bit_user said:
    Wow! I hadn't even seen a mention of Amston Lake, before now!

    Weirdly, I think it still uses Gracemont cores?? And not even clusters with double the L2 cache, like in Raptor Lake! The Ark listing show their lithography as Intel 7, so that pretty much confirms it!

    So, what was the point, then? Can anyone explain how these differ from Alder Lake-N?

    YES, Amston Lake chips are also based on Gracemont E cores. In fact the differences between Alder Lake-N and these new Amston Lake chips are not that prominent, imo. Both support the FCBGA1264 socket.

    They only differ in some minor security features, and Alder-N targeted both the Mobile/embedded platform, unlike these Amston "embedded" chips, which also support in-Band Error Correction Code, if that makes any difference, lol ?

    Anyway, I'm still digging and will get back with more technical info. Just wrote the above from my memory. :sleep:


    BTW, here is a close-up pic of the above leaked socket LGA 1851 ! The socket seems identical to the LGA 1700, judging by the overall dimensions, which are 45mm x 37.5mm.

    The upcoming Arrow Lake-S desktop client lineup should also support a similar socket design/dimensions (if not exactly the same), but we can't say for sure, assuming Intel plans to make some changes in the last moment for the consumer segment.

    https://i.imgur.com/OGryMGt.jpeg
    https://i.imgur.com/hglHQSS.jpeg
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  • TechyIT223 said:
    So many generations of "Lakes" in the making. 😅

    I got some NEWS for you !

    As you may already by now that after the client Arrow Lake and Lunar Lake CPU lineup, we then have the "Panther Lake" and the "Nova Lake" lineup which will feature the largest architectural uplift in the company's history.

    But recently a new "Adams Lake" entry was also spotted for client CPUs based on the "Douglas Cove" uarch.

    ADAMS LAKE, based on Douglas Cove P-Core architecture.

    The recent Linux Code patches unearthed the Adams Lake "Client" and Cooper Forest "Server" chips.

    The Cooper Forest server lineup supports the new "Sheldonmont" E-Core architecture, which appears to be a successor to Clearwater Forest.

    Reply