Process–architecture–optimization model explained

Process–architecture–optimization is a development model for central processing units (CPUs) that Intel adopted in 2016. Under this three-phase (three-year) model, every microprocessor die shrink is followed by a microarchitecture change and then by one or more optimizations. It replaced the two-phase (two-year) tick–tock model that Intel adopted in 2006. The tick–tock model was no longer economically sustainable, according to Intel, because production of ever smaller dies becomes ever more costly.^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]}

Roadmap

Wave	Process (die shrink)	Architecture	Optimizations				Optional backport^[6] ^[7]
1: 14 nm	2014: Broadwell (5th gen)	2015: Skylake (6th gen)	2016: Kaby Lake (7th gen)	2017: Coffee Lake (8th gen)	2018: Coffee Lake Refresh (9th gen)	2019: Comet Lake (10th gen)	2021: Rocket Lake (11th gen, Cypress Cove)
	References:^[8] ^[9]
2: 10 nm (Intel 7)	2018:^[10] Cannon Lake (8th gen, Palm Cove)	2019: Ice Lake (10th gen, Sunny Cove)	2020: Tiger Lake (11th gen, Willow Cove)	2021: Alder Lake (12th gen, Golden Cove)	2022: Raptor Lake (13th gen)	2023: Raptor Lake (14th gen)
	References:^[11] ^[12] ^[13]
3: Intel 4	2023: Meteor Lake (14th gen)
	References:^[14]
3: Intel 20A and Intel 18A	2024: Arrow Lake (15th gen)	2024: Lunar Lake (16th gen)
	References ^[15]

See also

• List of Intel CPU microarchitectures
• Tick–tock model
  • Transient execution CPU vulnerability

Notes and References

1. https://www.anandtech.com/show/9447/intel-10nm-and-kaby-lake Tick Tock On The Rocks: Intel Delays 10nm, Adds 3rd Gen 14nm Core Product "Kaby Lake"
2. Web site: Intel's 'Tick-Tock' Seemingly Dead, Becomes 'Process-Architecture-Optimization'. Ian. Cutress.
3. Web site: Intel Ditches 'Tick-Tock' for 'Process-Architecture-Optimization' - eTeknix. eTeknix.com. 23 March 2016.
4. Web site: Intel Tick-Tock Processor Model Replaced With Process-Architecture-Optimization - Legit Reviews. 23 March 2016.
5. Web site: Intel 7th Gen Core: Process Architecture Optimization. 30 August 2016.
6. Web site: Cutress. Dr Ian. Intel's Manufacturing Roadmap from 2019 to 2029: Back Porting, 7nm, 5nm, 3nm, 2nm, and 1.4 nm. 2021-03-15. www.anandtech.com.
7. Web site: December 2019. Arne Verheyde 11. Intel Process Roadmap Shows 1.4nm in 2029, Two-Year Cadence (Updated). 2021-03-15. Tom's Hardware. 11 December 2019 . en.
8. https://www.anandtech.com/show/10959/intel-launches-7th-generation-kaby-lake-i7-7700k-i5-7600k-i3-7350k Intel Launches 7th Generation Kaby Lake: 15W/28W with Iris, 35-91W Desktop and Mobile Xeon
9. https://www.anandtech.com/show/13405/intel-10nm-cannon-lake-and-core-i3-8121u-deep-dive-review/2 Intel’s Path to 10nm: 2010 to 2019
10. Cannon Lake: only 1 CPU released, microarchitecture dumped 1.5 year later.
11. https://www.anandtech.com/show/13405/intel-10nm-cannon-lake-and-core-i3-8121u-deep-dive-review Intel's 10nm Cannon Lake and Core i3-8121U Deep Dive Review
12. https://www.pcgamer.com/intel-raptor-lake-24-core-rumour/ Intel Raptor Lake's rumoured 24 cores could crush multi-threaded applications
13. Web site: Intel's Process Roadmap to 2025: with 4nm, 3nm, 20A and 18A . www.anandtech.com . Ian . Cutress . 26 July 2021.
14. https://www.pcgamer.com/intel-meteor-lake-tape-/ Meteor Lake, Intel's first 7nm CPU, to tape in before July this year and release in 2023
15. Web site: Intel Client & Server CPU Roadmap Updates: Meteor Lake In 2023, 20A & 18A Powered Xeons & Core Chips Beyond 2024. 2022-02-17. Wccftech. 17 February 2022.