Intel preps Royal Core and Cobra Core microarchitectures for next-gen CPUs

Intel is developing two new microarchitectures, Royal Core and Cobra Core, to succeed the current Lion Cove architecture. Royal Core is set to replace Lion Cove and aims to enhance power efficiency and performance, with double-digit IPC improvements over the previous Raptor Cove architecture. This shift marks a departure from Intel's previous "Cove" naming convention. The new architectures are part of Intel's strategy to compete with Arm-based processors, such as Qualcomm's Snapdragon and Apple's M-series chips. Royal Core is expected to debut with the Nova Lake processors, which are projected for release between 2026 and 2027. Cobra Core will follow Royal Core, although no specific timeline for its introduction has been provided. The development of these microarchitectures indicates Intel's commitment to advancing its x86 processor technology in a competitive market.

- Intel is transitioning from the "Cove" naming scheme to "Core" with the new microarchitectures.

- Royal Core aims for improved power efficiency and performance, targeting a competitive edge against Arm-based processors.

- The release of Nova Lake, which will feature Royal Core, is anticipated between 2026 and 2027.

- Cobra Core will eventually replace Royal Core, but no timeline for its release has been established.