Intel unveils a new processor powered by 18A semiconductor technology

Six months after Lip Bo Tan began his quest to turn around struggling Intel, the semiconductor giant has announced a major hardware upgrade.

On Thursday, Intel Unveiling a new processorwhich has the code name Tiger Lake. This represents the next generation of the company’s Intel Core Ultra processor family, and is the first chip built using Intel’s 18A semiconductor process.

The processors are expected to begin shipping later this year, and are produced at Intel’s Fab 52 facility in Chandler, Arizona, which comes online in 2024.

“We are entering an exciting new era of computing, made possible by great leaps forward in semiconductor technology that will shape the future for decades to come,” Tan said in a company press release. “Our next-generation computing platforms, combined with leading process technology, advanced manufacturing and packaging capabilities, are catalysts for innovation across our business as we build a new Intel.”

Separately, Intel also previewed the Xeon 6+ processor, codenamed Clearwater Forest, the company’s first 18A-based server processor. Intel expects this to launch in the first half of 2026.

This is the company’s biggest manufacturing announcement since then Tan took over as Intel CEO in March. And in his first few weeks, Tan made it clear he would do just that Refocus the company on its core business And restore its engineering culture first.

The announcement also emphasizes 18A semiconductor’s ties to the United States. The company’s press release highlighted that this is the most advanced chip manufacturing process produced domestically.

“The United States has always been home to Intel’s most advanced research, development, product design and manufacturing – and we are proud to build on this legacy as we expand our domestic operations and bring new innovations to the market,” Tan said in the statement.

The American government took a 10% ownership stake at Intel in August just weeks later Tan and President Donald Trump met at the White House To discuss how Intel and the government can work together to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States

TechCrunch has reached out to Intel for more information.