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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Intel’s February 2024 roadmap named five process nodes for its “five nodes in four years” plan: Intel 7, Intel 4, Intel 3, Intel 20A and Intel 18A. The company said then that the plan remained on track and identified Intel 14A as a leading-edge node beyond the sequence. Those were dated company plans and expectations, not proof of later delivery. Also, Intel’s designation is 18A, not a verified measurement of 18 nanometers.
What were Intel’s five nodes in four years?
Intel’s February 21, 2024 announcement grouped five process-node names into its “five nodes in four years” roadmap:
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| Roadmap stage | Node name | What the 2024 announcement establishes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intel 7 | Named as part of the five-node sequence; the announcement does not independently verify delivery timing. Intel, February 21, 2024 |
| 2 | Intel 4 | Named as part of the five-node sequence; the announcement does not independently verify delivery timing. Intel, February 21, 2024 |
| 3 | Intel 3 | Named in the sequence and also included in announced specialized evolutions. Intel, February 21, 2024 |
| 4 | Intel 20A | Named as part of the five-node sequence; the announcement does not independently verify delivery timing. Intel, February 21, 2024 |
| 5 | Intel 18A | Presented as the planned endpoint of the sequence; Intel leaders expected process leadership with it in 2025. Intel, February 21, 2024 |
Intel said the roadmap remained on track when it made the announcement. That statement records Intel’s position on that date; the cited announcement does not establish whether each node subsequently arrived on schedule or whether the 2025 leadership expectation was met.
What is Intel 18A, and does 18A mean 18nm?
Intel 18A is Intel’s name for a process node. Intel’s February 2024 release and roadmap use “18A”; they do not say it is a literal 18-nanometer physical feature size or provide a direct conversion to nanometers. Calling it “18nm” as though it were a measured dimension would therefore go beyond what the cited source establishes. Intel’s announcement
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What comes after Intel 18A?
In its February 2024 roadmap, Intel named Intel 14A as a new leading-edge node beyond the five-node sequence. The same roadmap described a plan for a new node every two years, with node evolutions between launches. These are roadmap intentions announced in 2024, not confirmation of current availability or schedule.
Announced node evolutions
- Intel 3-T: Intel described this evolution as optimized with through-silicon vias for 3D packaging.
- Other roadmap labels: The roadmap graphic included Intel 3-E, Intel 3-PT, Intel 18A-P and Intel 14A-E. These are labels Intel showed for planned evolutions, not evidence in themselves that those variants later became available.
The roadmap thus described more than a simple march from one named node to the next: Intel presented a leading-edge sequence alongside variants intended for particular capabilities or applications. Intel, February 21, 2024
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Why did Intel connect the roadmap to its foundry business?
Intel framed the process roadmap as part of Intel Foundry, a systems-foundry business combining process technology, manufacturing, customer support and advanced packaging. Its announcement cited packaging technologies including EMIB and Foveros and added FCBGA 2D+ to its assembly and test offerings. That framing matters because a foundry customer’s needs can involve packaging and integration as well as fabrication on a process node.
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Customer and ecosystem announcements
Intel said Microsoft had chosen a chip design it planned to produce on Intel 18A. Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said: “That’s why we are so excited to work with Intel Foundry, and why we have chosen a chip design that we plan to produce on Intel 18A process.” Intel, February 21, 2024
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Intel also reported that Synopsys, Cadence, Siemens, Ansys, Lorentz and Keysight had disclosed tool qualification or IP readiness for Intel process and packaging designs. These were partner-readiness statements reported by Intel; they do not establish customer shipment volumes, independent performance results or foundry competitiveness.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What can—and can’t—be concluded from the 2024 roadmap?
The February 21, 2024 announcement establishes the names Intel assigned to its five-node sequence, the company’s then-current claim that it was on track, and its announced plans for Intel 14A and node evolutions. It does not verify subsequent delivery, current roadmap status, or whether Intel’s expectation of process leadership in 2025 was achieved. A later status claim needs later evidence; the 2024 roadmap alone cannot answer it.
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- Game Without Compromise. Play harder and work smarter with Intel Core 14th Gen processors
- 20 cores (8 P-cores plus 12 E-cores) and 28 threads. Discrete graphics required
- Up to 5.6 GHz with Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 gives you smooth game play, high frame rates, and rapid responsiveness
- Compatible with Intel 600-series (with potential BIOS update) or 700-series chipset-based motherboards
- DDR4 and DDR5 platform support cuts your load times and gives you the space to run the most demanding games
Intel issued a further announcement on March 20, 2024, but the dated announcements cited here do not establish the roadmap’s execution through 2026. February 21 announcement · March 20 announcement
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- Game without compromise. Play harder and work smarter with Intel Core 14th Gen processors
- 24 cores (8 P-cores plus 16 E-cores) and 32 threads. Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 770 included
- Leading max clock speed of up to 6.0 GHz gives you smoother game play, higher frame rates, and rapid responsiveness
- Compatible with Intel 600-series (with potential BIOS update) or 700-series chipset-based motherboards
- DDR4 and DDR5 platform support cuts your load times and gives you the space to run the most demanding games
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