Intel "Rocket Lake" Explained

Intel has a habit of using interesting codenames. Some, like Merom, we should probably remember - as it transformed Intel's processor roadmap and still has effects today.

I won't bore you with the details of the Netburst to Core architecture transition that Merom spurred on (P4 to Core 2 Duo). Or that the name (and architecture) was borne out of Israel and named after the former lake in the Hula Valley of Israel, probably, and not the town in deepest Indiana.

Rocket Lake is the codename for the silicon that underlies the majority of Intel's current range of processors. The architecture actually spans desktop, server, and workstation processors. One could almost say they are all the same.

If you think you have heard of Rocket Lake you are probably right, because Intel's mainstream and gaming range of CPUs that tend to get the most publicity, are based on this architecture. We are talking of course about the i5, i7 and i9 CPUs that make up the 11th Generation Intel Core Processor range and include such CPUs as the i9-11900K. These skus are supposed to be combined with boards supporting the Intel Z590 chipset and launched back in March 2021.

What many fail to understand fully is that the Rocket Lake lineup is basically re-purposed and re-named with some small feature set adjustments, in order to make it relevant for other markets too. All using the same CPU socket and core architecture, but each with subtle marketing differences that allow Intel to call them distinct product lines. Sometimes these launches lag each other, but generally they are in the same year.

As of Q2, we have the Rocket Lake Workstation CPUs, aptly named the Xeon W-1300 range. These are supposed to be combined with the W580 Chipset, though at launch, no product designs were mentioned from the usual Intel Workstation partners. The Xeon W-1300 launched in May, somewhat quietly, and a couple of months behind the desktop.

Next up, we have Rocket Lake Xeon Server CPUs. The Xeon E-2300 range to be more precise. That "E" is for Entry Level Servers, a niche Intel has great market share in. These Xeons are not to be confused with the high end Xeons (Xeon Scalable Series) based on Ice Lake, no-no, never, very different things, with different core counts and target markets.

The Xeon E-2300 is just about to launch, and is supported by the C250 chipset. (I am not leaking anything here - information on Xeon E-2300 is freely available on the web from multiple sources, so many that Toms Hardware compiled a list.)

Unfortunately, at least in desktop guise, Rocket Lake was not well received. Gamers tended to prefer the search for enlightenment with AMD Zen, rather than jumping on a rocket with Intel. In the workstation space Intel launched very quietly and I am yet to see much support from the workstation vendors. In server, well, only time will tell. I expect a handful of platforms to support Xeon E-2300, from the usual suspects. If anything, it should be more successful here as AMD don't play much in that entry server space.

Forward looking individuals are already looking at the next generation architecture from Intel, which they have called "Alder Lake". It is quite exciting as it represents the first implementation of both performance and efficiency oriented cores on a single processor. The will, and hope for Intel to return to mainstream superiority with this architecture is high.

I hope it doesn't run hot, AMD Fanboys probably hope it does.......

So in summary:

• Core i5/i7/i9 - Desktop - Z590 Chipset
• Xeon W 1300 - Workstation - W580 Chipset
• Xeon E 2300 - Server - C250 Chipset

In conclusion, consider Rocket Lake, but also think about the future Alder-natives (please excuse the geek humor)!