Intel Raptor Lake processors to feature up to 68MB of cache

By now, it's clear that a large amount of cache memory can dramatically improve CPU performance. We've seen it firsthand when AMD moved from Zen+ to Zen2, as well as with the recently-announced Ryzen 7 5800X3D. It seems Intel is set to follow suit, giving its Raptor Lake processors a considerable increase of on-die cache compared to the current Alder Lake chips.

After a cryptic tweet from @OneRaichu, the leaker later clarified he was talking about Raptor Lake, which is rumoured to have up to 68MB of cache (L2+L3). To better understand Raptor Lake's alleged core configuration, user @Olrak29_ shared a diagram where you can better see how the cache is divided across the processor.

https://t.co/RcZl9G1LXr pic.twitter.com/57glzqSCU2

— Olrak (@Olrak29_) January 14, 2022

The diagram shows each Raptor Cove Core (P-cores) has 2MB of L2 cache and 3MB of L3 cache. As for the Gracemont core clusters (4x E-cores), each of them will have 4MB of L2 cache and 3MB of L3 cache. Considering each Raptor Lake processor can have up to 8x P-cores and up to 4x E-core clusters, simple maths operations result in 68MB (8×2+8×3+4×4+4×3).

Compared to its predecessor, Raptor Lake Cove cores have 60% more L2 memory and the same amount of L3 cache. As for the Gracemont core clusters in Raptor, they now come with two times more L2 memory per core, while the L3 remains the same. However, due to the extra two Gracemont core clusters, the total L3 cache of the E-cores doubled compared to Alder Lake.

Intel Raptor Lake processors are expected to be announced sometime later this year.

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KitGuru says: How much will Raptor Lake improve over Alder Lake? Do you expect a double-digit performance improvement or something more modest?

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