Intel has published a patent that describes a completely new approach to processor architecture. The idea is called “Software defined supercores” (SDC) and was filed in 2023 before being made public in July 2025. Behind this concept is the attempt to combine the advantages of classic multicore processors with the urgently needed high single-core performance.
The development of processors has followed a clear path over the last two decades. While overall performance has steadily increased by increasing the number of cores, single-core performance has remained a bottleneck, especially in applications that are difficult or impossible to parallelize. Games, certain scientific programs or older software still benefit greatly from a particularly powerful single core. To increase this performance, manufacturers have so far mainly relied on two means: ever higher clock rates or more complex, large-scale switching mechanisms. However, both of these methods cause problems, as energy consumption and costs increase exponentially.
Intel is taking a different approach with its “super cores”. Instead of expanding a single core further and further, several cores are to be combined by software to form a logical large core. This super core processes the instructions of a single thread, so externally it acts like a normal CPU core. Internally, however, two or more computing units share the work. This should noticeably increase single-core performance without requiring a massive amount of energy or space.
The concept is reminiscent of the move from single-core to multi-core processors, only in the opposite direction: instead of distributing tasks across several cores, these combine their strengths for a single task. This approach is particularly interesting because it could be flexibly controlled by software. Depending on the load profile, a processor could decide whether to use its cores individually or in the form of super cores. This would allow different application scenarios to be covered efficiently, from highly parallel workloads to tasks that require high single-thread performance.
It is still unclear whether and when Intel will implement this concept in market-ready processors. Patents are primarily a safeguard for ideas and not a guarantee for products. However, the publication shows that Intel is actively looking for solutions to overcome the limitations of classic CPU architectures.
Conclusion
The idea of software-defined super cores could represent a turning point in the development of processors. If Intel successfully implements the concept, it could close the gap between high multicore performance and strong single-core performance. This would open up completely new possibilities for developers and users. At the same time, it remains to be seen whether the implementation is technically and economically feasible. If Intel is successful, this would be a paradigm shift of similar significance to the introduction of multicore CPUs around twenty years ago.
Source: pcgameshardware.de
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