Intel reportedly preparing two new mobile CPU series

Moon Lake: ultra-low power focus

The first series, dubbed Moon Lake, is designed as a highly efficient option. According to leaker Jaykihn on X, these CPUs will feature four LPE (low-power efficient) cores but will lack any performance-oriented P-Cores. This configuration allows for a base power draw as low as 6W, with a configurable cTDP of up to 15W.

Moon Lake is expected to reuse "Darkmont" LPE cores, similar to those found in the Panther Lake architecture. Although it lacks P-Cores, the processor is reportedly a multi-tile design rather than a monolithic one. Regarding graphics, it is unlikely to exceed the two "Xe3" GPU cores seen in the current Wildcat Lake Core 300 series.

Wildcat Lake Refresh: more cores and vPro support

In parallel, Intel is expected to launch a Wildcat Lake Refresh, likely as part of the existing Core Series 3 lineup. While current models typically feature two Cougar Cove P-Cores and four Darkmont LPE cores, the refreshed variant is rumored to pack four P-Cores and four LPE cores. This addition should provide a measurable performance boost in heavy workloads without sacrificing efficiency during idle tasks.

The power profile for this refresh is expected to shift, offering a base power of 15W and a configurable cTDP ranging from 10W to 35W. Notably, this refresh is expected to bring Intel vPro support, a feature missing from the original Wildcat Lake chips, making them more suitable for enterprise and small business laptops.

Manufacturing and packaging

Both Moon Lake and Wildcat Lake Refresh are reportedly slated for production on the 18A node. The leaks also suggest they will utilize the same BGA1516 package as existing Wildcat Lake chips. Given their low thermal output, Moon Lake could be particularly well-suited for passively cooled machines, budget NAS units, or embedded devices. However, Intel has not yet officially confirmed these products or their release schedule.