Intel has announced its latest processors built on the next-generation Intel 18A semiconductor process, including the Intel Core Ultra Series 3, codenamed Panther Lake, and the Xeon 6+ server processor, codenamed Clearwater Forest. The company stated that the Core Ultra Series 3 will start appearing in consumer devices later this year, while the Xeon 6+ processor is expected to launch in the first half of 2026.

The Intel 18A process, a 2nm-class node, delivers up to 15% higher performance per watt and up to 30% greater chip density compared to the Intel 3 process. Higher chip density, which measures the number of transistors per square millimeter, allows for either smaller chips or more computing power in the same space.

The Intel Core Ultra Series 3 is designed for AI-powered PCs, gaming systems, and other high-performance devices. It features up to 16 new performance and efficiency cores, offering more than 50% faster CPU performance compared to the previous generation. The processor also comes with a new Intel Arc GPU with up to 12 Xe cores, delivering over 50% faster graphics performance, along with built-in AI acceleration capable of up to 180 trillion operations per second. Intel also revealed that Panther Lake will expand beyond traditional PCs, targeting edge computing applications such as robotics. To support this, the company is introducing a new Intel Robotics AI software suite to help developers build cost-effective, AI-enabled robots.

The Xeon 6+ processor is aimed at hyperscale data centers, cloud infrastructure, and telecom networks. It supports up to 288 efficiency cores and offers a 17% increase in instructions per cycle compared to its predecessor. The chip also brings improvements in density, throughput, and power efficiency, enabling enterprises to scale workloads more effectively and support next-generation intelligent services.