Intel readies Razor Lake-AX answer to Strix Halo with 32-core GPU and 256-bit memory bus

Intel is developing a new class of processors called Razor Lake-AX, aimed at competing with AMD's Ryzen AI Max and NVIDIA's RTX Spark hybrid chips. According to leakers, the key feature of the new part will be integrated graphics with 32 Xe3P cores and a 256-bit memory bus, placing it alongside the most powerful SoCs on the market.

Interest in such "super APUs" is fueled by their ability to work with massive amounts of memory, making them attractive for AI developers. AMD has already introduced the Ryzen AI Max lineup, while NVIDIA has announced the RTX Spark platform. Intel, it seems, does not want to be left out of this growing segment and is preparing its own solution.

According to leaks from the YouTube channel Moore's Law is Dead, Razor Lake-AX was originally called Nova Lake AX and was slated to launch alongside the Nova Lake family next year. However, the chip was later renamed and folded into the Razor Lake lineup. Architecturally, it will be based on the same Coyote Cove P-cores and Arctic Wolf E-cores as Nova Lake, with the graphics part likely featuring the Xe3P generation instead of the previously expected Xe4.

For comparison, one Xe3 block is structurally comparable to one Workgroup Processor (WGP) in AMD's RDNA architecture. The flagship Ryzen AI Max+ 495 has 20 such blocks, while the discrete Radeon RX 9070 XT has 32. This means the integrated graphics of Razor Lake-AX could approach the compute power of full-fledged mid-range video cards.

Another detail is the use of memory soldered directly onto the processor substrate. Intel has previously publicly dismissed this approach, but the CEO change last year likely shifted the company's stance. This decision would reduce latency and increase bandwidth, which is critical for AI workloads.

Intel has not officially confirmed anything, and all data is based on leaks. Still, if the information holds up, Razor Lake-AX could become a serious player in the high-performance integrated systems segment, intensifying competition with AMD and NVIDIA in the market for AI development and inference devices.