It is no secret that Intel has struggled to move on from its 14nm process node, with 10nm chips only just recently arriving after years of delays. While Intel might have a handle on 10nm now, 7nm is another story, with the first 7nm-based Intel CPU now being pushed back by approximately six months.

Intel's quarterly earnings report released this week and as usual, it contains some forward looking statements to give investors an idea of what to expect in the months and years to come. One such quote pertains to Intel 7nm: “7nm-based CPU product timing is shifting approximately six months relative to prior expectations”. Originally, Intel planned to have 7nm processors out in 2021, but with this latest change in timing, it now won't be arriving until 2022.

Intel puts this delay down to a “defect mode” in the 7nm process, holding up Intel's production. It isn't a great situation to be in, particularly since AMD has already successfully made the jump to both 7nm CPUs and GPUs.

While 7nm might be taking a while longer, Intel is on track in other areas, including Ice Lake and Xe graphics. On the CPU side, Intel will continue to refine the 10nm process.

KitGuru Says: It looks like we should brace for a lengthy period of 10nm CPUs next, although hopefully Intel will manage to make the upgrade to 7nm quicker than it made the transition from 14nm to 10nm.

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