Intel's Raptor Lake processors have surfaced in a new driver version that suggests we could see these next-generation processors before long.
As VideoCardz reports (opens in a new tab), support for Raptor Lake-S and P processors has been added to the new version of the Intel Media Driver (version 22.4.4, which is labeled Q2, though we're not on this fourth longest).
These processor designations refer to the Raptor Lake desktop (S) and laptop (P - low power mobile chips) processors, and it's interesting to see support for these, because until now, rumors have been relatively quiet about what to expect. from intel. 13th generation incoming rank on the mobile front.
The general expectation, partly due to this lack of enthusiasm on the grapevine, is that laptop models might launch a bit later for Raptor Lake, with desktop chips coming first.
Analysis: AMD in danger of being left behind?
As you may know, the most recent rumors point to an October release of Raptor Lake. We were wondering if Intel might feel the need to pull the trigger to launch the 13th generation processors a bit earlier, as previous rumors had indicated that September might be the month to watch for the Raptor silicon launch.
The fact that we're now seeing Raptor Lake showing up in driver benchmarks is at least a suggestion that the launch might be closer than expected, but it also makes us wonder if 13th-gen chips will arrive. sooner rather than later, that's what we've done. ear of the next generation.
Intel's Meteor Lake processors appear to remain on track for what could be an initial Q2023 13 debut, and given that, we think the chip giant would like to leave a decent breathing space between the 14th and 2022th generations. So pushing Raptor Lake later in XNUMX seems like a less likely prospect in that regard.
Of course, these are just speculations based on rumours, so take them as such, with a skeptical point of view.
Another way to look at it is: why wouldn't Intel want to go ahead with Raptor Lake, if possible? If the Blue Team can release the 13th gen chips early and get AMD's next-gen Zen 4 processors downgraded, as we've also heard, the Red Team could potentially hold them back to allow Ryzen 5000 stock to rise. to seem like a pretty tough win in desktop CPU space.
Remember that AMD still relies on the Ryzen 5000 processors that were first released two years ago, and Alder Lake has already surpassed that silicon, no doubt as a popular choice for gamers, so Raptor Lake would definitely seal Intel's lead in this area. respect. (Yes, let's not forget that Team Red brought 3D V-Cache technology, which is certainly impressive, but it's only one processor model, the 5800X3D, and thus has limited impact on the entire CPU domain.)
AMD could be in serious trouble, for our money, if Raptor Lake beats Zen 4 at launch, and Meteor Lake isn't that far off either, even Ryzen 7000 processors with V-Cache 3D, which would be somewhere after the debut of Zen 4 starters. It is unlikely that they will be able to save AMD against Intel's 7th generation 14nm downsized models. Admittedly, Zen 4 is shaping up to be very strong, so it might surprise us in that regard, but as it stands, it looks like a pretty awkward launch delay battle for AMD.
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