Intel VP Robert Hallock sets Nova Lake expectations, teases return to Raptor Lake for DDR4 platforms — our full 1:1 interview transcript

In an exclusive interview with Tom's Hardware, Intel VP and General Manager of Enthusiast Channel Business, Robert Hallock, discussed the current state of the enthusiast desktop market and Intel's plans for the future. Hallock noted that the market is currently divided into two distinct groups - those with significant discretionary budgets and those who cannot afford the rising costs due to memory and NAND shortages.

He explained that this division is especially clear in the enthusiast desktop space, with low-end mainstream products struggling while premium offerings remain relatively unaffected. Hallock also discussed Intel's position in the consumer market, emphasizing the company's focus on the client business and the relative freedom it has in planning and executing its enthusiast desktop roadmap without interference from the data center business.

Regarding the upcoming 18A and Nova Lake processors, Hallock highlighted that the premium offerings are already on the market, with Wildcat Lake being a more budget-friendly option. He believes that the DIY PC market can be effectively served by a single product stack, despite the sizable gap between premium and budget offerings on the cutting-edge node.