Intel Raptor Lake Ring Bus Flaw Leak: Bartlett Lake is Affected, and there’s no Instability Fix!

Summary

The video discusses Intel's Bartlett Lake rumors, suggesting it's not a budget platform as rumored but more for networking and high-frequency trading. It highlights potential issues with Intel's Raptor Lake, including high voltage causing failures and a possible ring bus flaw. The video also speculates on the impact of these issues on Intel's reputation and compares Intel's transparency with AMD's approach.

Takeaways

• 🤔 Intel's Bartlett Lake is rumored to be a Zen3 AM4 competitor, but sources suggest it might not be as interesting to consumers as expected.
• 💬 The first source indicates that Bartlett Lake was never intended for client use and Intel's 10nm process is expensive, making it uncompetitive for budget users.
• 🔌 Bartlett Lake is reportedly aimed at networking and edge applications, as well as high-frequency trading, rather than general consumers.
• 🕰 If microcode updates for Raptor Lake are insufficient, Intel might need to reduce clock speeds on Bartlett Lake, affecting its competitiveness with AMD's 2025 products.
• 🚫 Bartlett Lake is said to have the same hardware flaw as Raptor Lake, which could impact its reliability and performance.
• 🔥 The leading theory within Intel is that the ring bus in Raptor Lake is overheating due to high voltage requirements, potentially affecting Bartlett Lake as well.
• 🌡️ Raptor Lake's design was rushed, and there were concerns about the ring bus being damaged if voltage was pushed too high, indicating potential issues with yield and reliability.
• 🏭 An oxidation issue at Intel's Arizona Fab in 2023 is suspected to have affected Raptor Lake and possibly Sapphire Rapids, but not Meteor Lake or Emerald Rapids.
• 🛠️ The microcode update for Raptor Lake expected in August is anticipated to improve chip longevity but may still result in some performance loss and is not a complete fix.
• 💔 Intel's handling of the Raptor Lake situation is seen as a PR and financial disaster, with potential long-term impacts on consumer trust and brand reputation.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the video?

The main topic of discussion in the video is the rumored Intel Bartlett Lake product, its potential as a competitor to Zen3 AM4, and the issues surrounding Intel's Raptor Lake chips.

Why might Bartlett Lake not be as interesting to consumers as initially thought?

Bartlett Lake might not be as interesting to consumers because it was never intended for client use, and Intel's 10nm process is expensive, making it uncompetitive as a budget platform.

What are the alternative uses for Bartlett Lake mentioned in the video?

The video suggests that Bartlett Lake could be used for networking, edge computing, and possibly high-frequency trading, rather than general consumer products.

What potential issue with Raptor Lake is discussed in the video?

The video discusses a potential hardware flaw in Raptor Lake, specifically with the ring bus getting 'cooked' due to high voltages required for the P and E cores.

How does the ring bus issue in Raptor Lake affect Bartlett Lake?

The ring bus issue in Raptor Lake could also affect Bartlett Lake if it is overvolted similarly, suggesting an inherent flaw that would be present in both products.

What is the significance of the microcode update for Raptor Lake?

The microcode update for Raptor Lake is expected to mitigate some of the issues with the ring bus and potentially improve the longevity of the chips, though it may not be a complete fix.

What is the potential impact of the Raptor Lake issues on Intel's reputation and market position?

The Raptor Lake issues could lead to a public relations and financial disaster for Intel, with potential negative impacts on consumer trust and competition with AMD.

How does the video suggest AMD is capitalizing on Intel's situation?

The video suggests that AMD is delaying the launch of Zen 5 to appear more transparent and honest, potentially positioning themselves as a more reliable alternative to Intel.

What is the role of the Intel Arizona Fab in the Raptor Lake issues?

The Intel Arizona Fab is mentioned as a location where Raptor Lake was rushed through production, and where an oxidation issue was identified, potentially contributing to chip failures.

What advice does the video give to consumers who currently have a Raptor Lake chip?

The video advises consumers to wait for the microcode update in August, which may improve chip longevity, but also warns that the chips may still eventually fail due to inherent design flaws.

What is the broader implication of the issues discussed in the video for the tech industry?

The broader implication is that transparency and honesty in product development and communication are crucial for maintaining consumer trust and avoiding damaging PR crises, as seen with Intel's situation.