Intel announced that Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest processors based on the 18A process have been successfully powered on and can run the operating system, and production is scheduled to start in 2025. These processors can successfully boot the operating system without additional modifications, showing the health of Intel's 18A advanced process. In addition, Panther Lake's DDR memory performance has reached the target frequency.

In terms of ecosystem building, Intel has provided the official version 1.0 PDK (Process Design Kit) of Intel 18A to EDA and IP partners in July, so that external customers can start designing new products based on Intel 18A process. For external products on Intel 18A foundry, the first external customer's chip will be taped out in the first half of 2025.

Regarding the RibbonFET transistor + PowerVia backside power supply technology node, Intel 18A is the first node open to external customers. Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest are the successors of Arrow Lake and Sierra Forest respectively.