Intel is gearing up to introduce its Wildcat Lake CPUs, set to replace the Alder Lake-N series in the entry-level segment. These new chips will debut alongside the Panther Lake CPUs, sharing key architectural features but targeting more budget-friendly mobile platforms.
Wildcat Lake will incorporate Cougar Cove P-Cores, Darkmont E-Cores, and the Xe3 “Celestial” graphics architecture, similar to Panther Lake. The lineup will feature a combination of 2 P-Cores, 4 LP-E cores, and 2 Xe3 cores. With support for Thunderbolt 4 and LPDDR5X/DDR5, these CPUs promise up to 40 TOPS of AI performance, split among CPU, GPU, and NPU contributions.
Interestingly, Wildcat Lake won’t support ray tracing, aligning with the modest capabilities of its 2 Xe3 cores. However, it will still include XMX cores, which could offer some level of XeSS support, though actual performance will be clarified through testing.
Aimed primarily at entry-level and budget applications, these chips are likely to feature in Mini PCs and possibly some handheld devices, with expected TDPs in the sub-10W range. As the launch draws nearer, slated for the second half of 2025, more details will likely emerge about their capabilities and applications.
