Intel is gearing up for a revolution in its APU lineup before closing the chapter on integrated graphics with something enormous for Razor Lake-AX. Leaks point towards the long-awaited response to increasingly large integrated GPU SoCs from rivals. This includes more graphics cores, on-package memory (MoP), and an unusually large packaging for laptops. We’re not talking about a small iGPU in Razor Lake-AX to just get by, but a solution that could feature up to 32 Xe Cores.
The information stems from leaks by Jaykihn and Haze2K1, so it should be treated as a double rumor, with each leaker contributing complementary information. Even so, the data aligns with Intel’s intent to create a large, motherboard-soldered APU with integrated memory and a GPU powerful enough to reduce the need for a dedicated graphics card in certain devices.
Intel Plans Razor Lake-AX with an Impressive 16 to 32 Xe Cores iGPU
The most striking aspect is the graphics configurations, where Razor Lake-AX is expected to have two variants: one with 16 Xe Cores and another with 32. Earlier leaks hinted at a more balanced configuration with a possible 24 Xe Cores based on Xe3P, but the latest leak was direct: “16 and 32.” These will be under the Xe3 architecture, meaning they will feature the Battlemage V2 architecture, not a mix with Celestial.
Currently, there are no details on clock speeds, power consumption, memory amount, or bandwidth. The key takeaway is the sheer scale of the iGPU itself. For comparison within Intel’s lineup, Panther Lake’s integrated Arc B390 reaches 12 Xe Cores, indicating a significantly higher number of shaders and execution units in Razor Lake-AX’s graphics engine.
If Razor Lake-AX launches with 16 Xe Cores, it would represent a 33.3% increase in graphics cores compared to the B390 for its lower-spec version. However, if it arrives with 32 Xe Cores, the leap would be a massive 166.7%. This is a substantial difference on paper, though actual performance will depend on clock speeds, power limits, and memory capabilities.
A Brutal Area Aiming to Compete with NVIDIA and AMD Options
Another significant detail is the sheer size, specifically the total area. Leaks suggest a BGA-4326 package with 4,326 pins and dimensions of 37.5 x 56.5 mm, resulting in a packaging area of 2,118.75 mm². For context, the current 37.5 x 45 mm format is 1,687.5 mm², meaning Razor Lake-AX would be 25.6% larger in surface area.
Integrated on-package memory is another crucial element. Haze2K1 points to on-package memory, a technology Intel has already utilized in Lunar Lake with LPDDR5X. While it’s unconfirmed if this will be LPDDR5X, LPDDR6, or offer increased capacity or a wider bus, it would be the logical progression. With an iGPU featuring up to 32 Xe Cores, memory bandwidth will be critical; feeding so many graphics blocks with slow memory would undermine the design’s potential.
Razor Lake-AX, as of now, remains a leaked APU. With 16 or 32 Xe Cores, integrated memory, and a 2,118.75 mm² package, its most powerful version would have an iGPU area of no less than 162.84 mm². With this, Intel appears to be preparing something far more substantial than a traditional iGPU, undoubtedly aiming to compete with AMD and NVIDIA in the mid-range gaming laptop segment against competitors like Gorgon Point (or its successor) and N1X.
