CPU chip design has become more complex than ever before, prompting companies like AMD to embrace the use of Chiplet designs, this approach allows them to integrate multiple chiplets, enhancing data transfer between memory stacks and connected cores.
AMD has employed Chiplet designs in their Ryzen desktop CPUs and EPYC server CPUs, ushering in a new era of performance while considering the increase in power consumption compared to the traditional Monolithic SoC (System-on-Chip) design.
Monolithic SoC design utilizes the entire chip’s surface, optimizing CPU power efficiency as all components are closely integrated, allowing rapid communication among individual components.
As for Chiplet designs, it primarily caters to the high-end market, prioritizing performance over power consumption rates. AMD’s perspective is that the use of Chiplet designs within a single CCD (Core Complex Die) is more cost-effective than creating a massive monolithic die, this approach enables AMD to leverage the efficiency of each chiplet and enhance productivity, reducing the chance of having a disabled chiplet.
AMD’s adoption of Chiplet designs for desktop and server CPUs has been a strategic move to achieve greater performance, and it demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of this design philosophy.
However, the power consumption challenge has limited the use of Chiplet designs in the laptop market, especially in thin and light laptops.
AMD acknowledges this issue but remains open to considering Chiplet designs if power efficiency challenges are addressed in the future.
Intel, on the other hand, is making a strong commitment to Chiplet designs in the laptop computer market. Intel’s upcoming Meteor Lake architecture aims to offer all the benefits of Chiplet-based designs without the usual power consumption concerns associated with such designs.
This success is made possible by Intel’s intelligent power delivery system in Meteor Lake CPUs, which can individually power down unused chiplets. Intel’s power-saving capabilities are so strong that they can completely shut down the compute die when it enters an idle state.
If Intel can deliver on its claims, it will be the first to prove that Chiplet designs can be successfully employed in laptops, ushering in a revolutionary era of performance and efficiency.
