Raptor Lake is Intel's codename for the 13th and 14th generations of Intel Core processors based on a hybrid architecture, utilizing Raptor Cove performance cores and Gracemont efficient cores.[3][4][5] Like Alder Lake, Raptor Lake is fabricated using Intel's Intel 7 process.[6][7] Raptor Lake features up to 24 cores (8 performance cores plus 16 efficiency cores) and 32 threads and is socket compatible with Alder Lake systems (LGA 1700, BGA 1744, BGA 1964).[8][9][10] Like earlier generations, Raptor Lake processors also need accompanying chipsets. Raptor Lake CPUs have suffered issues with permanent damage from elevated voltage due to a vulnerable clock tree circuit, resulting in instability. Intel claims these issues have been since fixed in the latest microcode patches, which requires updating the motherboard's BIOS.[11][12]
History
Raptor Lake launched on October 20, 2022. On January 3, 2023 at CES 2023, Intel announced additional desktop CPUs and mobile CPUs.[13][14] The 14th generation was launched on October 17, 2023.[15][16]
In September 2022, an Intel spokesman revealed that Raptor Lake was created to benefit from process improvements before Meteor Lake arrives since the next microarchitecture was likely to be delayed.[17]
Raptor Lake competes with AMD's Ryzen 7000 series that was launched about one month earlier on September 27, 2022.[18]
The 14th generation Raptor Lake Refresh is the last processor family to use the old "Core i" branding scheme in use since 2008. The Raptor Lake-U Refresh series is the first processor family to use the new "Core 3/5/7" branding scheme introduced in mid 2023.
On December 14, 2023, Intel announced the Raptor Cove-based Xeon E-2400 series for entry-level servers.[19]
Features
Raptor Lake die from an i9-13900KCore i9-13900K labelled die shot
On September 27, 2022 at their Innovation event, Intel officially revealed six unlocked Raptor Lake SKUs launching for desktop on October 20, 2022.[22][23] The highest-end Raptor Lake SKU, the 13900KS, which can hit up to 6.0 GHz at stock configuration, debuted in 2023.[24][25]
All models support up to DDR4-3200 or DDR5-4800. The i5-13600 (K/KF/T) and all models above it support DDR5 speeds up to 5600 MT/s with max 2 DIMMs slotted, 4400 MT/s if 4 DIMMs are slotted.
Models without the F suffix feature either of the following integrated UHD Graphics GPUs, all with base frequency of 300 MHz:
UHD Graphics 770 with 32 execution units, or
UHD Graphics 730 with 24 execution units
Max Turbo Power: the maximum sustained (> 1 s) power dissipation of the processor as limited by current and/or temperature controls. Instantaneous power may exceed Maximum Turbo Power for short durations (≤ 10 ms). Maximum Turbo Power is configurable by system vendor and can be system specific.
CPUs in bold below feature vPro Enterprise and ECC memory support only when paired with a motherboard based on the W680 chipset.[26] Other SKUs do not support ECC memory at all.
Suffixes to denote:
T – Low power (TDP reduced to 35 W)
F – No integrated graphics
K – Unlocked clock multiplier
KF – Unlocked clock multiplier + No integrated graphics
The processors are connected to PCHs using an OPIO 2.0 x8 interface, except for the HX series which uses a DMI 4.0 x8 interface.[29] Except for the HX series, the processor and PCH are packaged together on a multi-chip package.
The HX series uses 45x37.5mm BGA 1964, and the other mobile processors use 25x50mm BGA 1744, on a Type 3 or Type 4 HDI.
Raptor Lake-HX
The HX processors are desktop processors repurposed for mobile use, with all models unlocked for overclocking.
CPUs in bold support vPro Enterprise and ECC memory support when paired with the WM790 mobile workstation chipset.
i7-13650HX and above feature Turbo Boost 3.0, which is at the same speed as Turbo Boost 2.0.
i9-13980HX supports Thermal Velocity Boost to 5.6 GHz
An iterative refresh of Raptor Lake-S desktop processors were launched as 14th Generation Core processors on October 17, 2023.[15][16] Raptor Lake-S Refresh uses the same B0 and C0 silicon steppings as Raptor Lake with no physical changes.[30] The most major change with Raptor Lake-S Refresh is that one fewer E-core cluster is disabled in silicon for Core i7 SKUs.
CPUs in bold below feature ECC memory support only when paired with a motherboard based on the W680 chipset according to each respective Intel Ark product page.
An example error message of a program crashing that occur on systems with the affected CPUs, which led to an initial assumption of it being an issue related to graphic cards or drivers[32]
In February 2024, reports had begun surfacing of users of K-versions of the 13th and 14th generation Core i7 and i9 desktop CPUs commonly experiencing crashing issues in certain workload scenarios, such as video games that use DirectX 12, and HandBrake.[33][34] The issue was initially attributed to Nvidia GeForce graphics drivers; however, in a driver update published on April 13, 2024, Nvidia acknowledged the instability problem as being associated with the Intel 13th/14th generation CPUs, and that owners of them should contact Intel customer support for further assistance.[35] Some users and game developers have worked around the problem by applying lower power limits, undervolting or underclocking the CPU.
As of April 18, 2024, according to Intel an investigation of the root cause of the instability issues was underway.[36] It is believed by some hardware reviewers to be silicon degradation from power limits being set too high by the motherboard's default settings.[37][38] Shortly thereafter, motherboard manufacturers began rolling out BIOS updates which provide an "Intel Baseline Profile" preset in the overclocking menu, which intends to enforce the power limits of the official Intel specification.[39] Hardware reviewer Hardwareluxx had found that there is an average performance loss of 9% across a number of applications with the Baseline profile, compared to the motherboard's default profile, when tested using the i9-14900K.[37]
However, TechSpot found that the Intel Baseline Profile is inconsistent between the motherboard manufacturers (Gigabyte and Asus in particular), with Gigabyte setting a PL2 of 188 W, while Asus sets a PL2 of 253 W which is the official Intel specification. TechSpot further criticized Intel, stating that they had claimed in the past several years that the motherboard manufacturers not adhering to Intel's official specification for power limits were considered normal and "within spec".[38]
Despite the attempted fix through BIOS updates, instances of crashes still continue to be reported as of July 2024, now largely affecting game server providers equipped with server-grade LGA1700 motherboards. One datacenter service provider reported that it was switching some of its customers to AMD-powered game servers because of the severity of the problems and the lack of prompt fixes.[40][41] Gaming laptops have also been found to be affected, although to a lesser degree.[42]
A microcode update fixing a bug with the eTVB algorithm was published the previous month, but this was confirmed by Intel to not be the root cause of the problem, although it may have been a contributing factor.[43]
Intel confirmed that there is no fix to the issue if it already affects a CPU, and any damage to the CPU is permanent. Intel has decided not to halt sales or recall any units.[11]
In August 2024, motherboard manufacturers released BIOS updates to fix the issue. Users were advised to apply these updates and use the "Intel Default Settings" in their BIOS configuration.[44]
In an Intel blog post dated September 25, 2024, the "root cause" was finally acknowledged to be due to a "clock tree circuit within the IA core which is particularly vulnerable to reliability aging under elevated voltage and temperature".[45]
Two-year warranty extension for certain models
On August 2, 2024 Intel announced they would extend warranty for certain retail (boxed) 13th/14th generation Core CPUs by two years.[46][47][48] On August 5, 2024 the company announced they would extend warranty to tray (OEM) CPUs as well.[49] The extended warranty will cover the following models:
^128 GB by default. A BIOS update must be installed to install 256 GB.
^Technically dual-channel DDR5 can be considered "quad-channel", as there are 4 × 32-bit memory buses, rather than 2 × 64-bit as is the case with DDR4. See DDR5 SDRAM § DIMMs versus memory chips for more info.
^ abcdefghijkPrice is Recommended Customer Price (RCP) at launch. RCP is the trade price that processors are sold by Intel to retailers and OEMs. Actual MSRP for consumers is higher.
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