Patch notes for a new beta version of AIDA64 — version 6.60.5944 , show preliminary support for a mysterious new Intel CPU platform, which carries the Alder Lake-X codename.
In recent years Intel began using the letter X to symbolize its HEDT platform, including the chipset and the CPUs related to the platform.
Intel produces Alder Lake and Sapphire Rapids on the Intel 7 node, formerly known as the 10nm Enhanced SuperFin process.
One theory is that Alder Lake-X could be the enthusiast-friendly version of Intel’s Sapphire Rapids platform with an unlocked multiplier for overclocking and other features.
For example, Intel could market Alder Lake-X with higher core counts than the consumer Alder Lake chips and maybe kill off the Gracemont cores, which we doubt will be helpful for HEDT enthusiasts.
The Ryzen Threadripper shortage started in the fourth quarter of last year and has been plaguing vendors, putting in doubt whether the regular Ryzen 5000 Threadripper lineup will launch or not.
Hopefully, we’ll know more about Alder Lake-X in the future, but it seems Intel is looking into the idea of coming back to the HEDT market.