Intel Driver and Shipping Manifests Confirm "Raptor Lake Next" CPU Refresh

Internal Driver Publication

Intel released an internal test driver with the label "RPL-NEXT," which is believed to refer to the upcoming Raptor Lake Next CPUs. This driver was discovered by @momomo_us and was found in Intel's software database, though it is locked and appears to be an internal test build not intended for public release.

The driver package is for Smart Sound Technology (SST), an audio digital signal processor integrated into Intel silicon since Alder Lake. SST offloads audio tasks like noise reduction and wake-on-voice, reducing CPU load and power consumption.

Shipping Manifests Provide Further Confirmation

Coinciding with the driver discovery, shipping manifests from Vietnam were published by Club386. These manifests detail exports of CPUs labeled "Raptor Lake Next" dating back to August, including information on cache sizes and clock speeds. This provides additional evidence of the upcoming CPU refresh.

Compatibility and Memory Support

Raptor Lake Next is a refresh of Intel's Raptor Lake CPU family, designed to be compatible with existing LGA-1700 motherboards. This allows users to upgrade their CPUs without needing a new motherboard. The refresh will also support DDR4 memory, which is currently more affordable than DDR5, a feature further indicated by recent Gigabyte BIOS updates.

Initial CPU Models and Specifications

Shipping manifests indicate at least four new chip models are being shipped from Intel's Vietnam facilities. These models appear to be replacements for existing Core i5 and Core i7 processors, as there are no current plans for Core i9-14900K replacements.

One listed model, 99DLMV, features 16 cores (8 Performance + 8 Efficient), a 3.5 GHz base clock, 30 MB of cache, and a 125W TDP. Another model, 99DLMT, has 20 cores (8P + 12E) but a lower 65W TDP and 2.1 GHz base clock, suggesting it may be an efficiency-focused part.