As AMDs processors close in with some Zen slowly yet steadily we see some movement at Intel as well. For ages now 4-core processors have been the norm in the mainstream desktop segment, it seems that 6-core Intel processors are finally becoming mainstream in 2018.
In it's yearly Form 10-K document about Intel's financials the company now really makes note of a three-step cycle. So after a new procedure (die shrink), there will be a new architecture followed by an upgrade of that architecture. This way Intel can release a new processor each year. However it now seems there will even be a 4th step.
Basically following Kaby Lake to release there will be a fourth generation processor series fabbed on the 14nm production process called Coffee Lake. It is interesting as at that same time the mobile/laptop Cannon Lake processors have already moved to 10 nm. It does make sense as Intel over a year ago announced to abandon its tick-tock model, which alternately introduced a new architecture and a new production process. Basically Intel will use whatever fab process works out the best for them practially and economically aimed at a certain target area. So there will be a fourth generation 14nm product series, in the form of Coffee Lake.
Coffee Lake CPUs will get two, four or six cores and will get a GT3e, an on-board GPU with dedicated video memory. The processors are rated at a 35 Watt to 45 Watt TDP range.
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