Intel Surges: CPU Narrative Heats Up! Is It Still Time to Buy Semiconductors?

This week, both $Intel(INTC)$ and $Advanced Micro Devices(AMD)$ surged, stealing the spotlight from the previously hot memory sector. Although SK Hynix delivered very strong earnings, SanDisk in the memory sector declined yesterday.

Why has CPU replaced memory as the new favorite?

Agentic AI workloads (task scheduling, state management, I/O control) are overwhelming GPUs alone — CPUs are now critical infrastructure again, not just supporting hardware.

Over the past two years, the market has been used to a single chain: capex up → GPU orders up → HBM up → advanced packaging up.

In this chain, CPUs were just a supporting role — “one extra chip bundled in the server,” and were given low valuation weight.

Morgan Stanley’s March AI Agent report pointed out:
pure inference and agent-based inference are physically different, and putting them into the same BOM model ignores the CPU as a core driver.

GPU is the BRAIN, responsible for token generation; CPU is the ORCHESTRATION layer, responsible for task coordination; Memory is KNOWLEDGE, responsible for data retrieval

Investors, take note! What are the four major investment opp ...Investors, take note! What are the four major investment opp ...

Every tool call in an agent workflow must first be processed by the CPU:
parsing JSON outputs, reconstructing context and the next prompt, then sending it back to the GPU for the next round of inference.

It may look like simple string processing, but under long context windows + multi-step reasoning, each round processes tens of KB to several MB of intermediate state.

$Intel(INTC)$: Best Quarter, Eyeing a 26-Year High

Intel delivered far stronger-than-expected sales guidance. A year ago, the market was asking if Intel could survive. Now, it’s asking whether Intel has enough capacity.

The company stated that June-quarter revenue is expected at $13.8B–$14.8B, versus analyst expectations of $13B.

  • Data center revenue surged

  • Cloud customers are aggressively buying Intel’s latest processors

  • Foundry business: revenue per customer guidance upgraded from “hundreds of millions” to “billions”

  • One-time restructuring charges still exist, but core business is clearly turning around

$CSOP SK Hynix Daily (2x) Leveraged Product(07709)$: Memory Scarcity Is No Longer Just a Narrative

Goldman Sachs’ takeaway after 1Q26 results:

  • Revenue +198% YoY, operating profit +405% YoY

  • DRAM ASP forecast raised to +182% YoY (from +144%)

  • HBM demand is fully booked for the next 3 years, supply cannot meet LTA commitments

  • ROE projected at 60–70%, a record high for SK Hynix

  • Target price raised to ₩1,800,000

JPMorgan’s data showing DRAM contract prices up 96% QoQ confirms this is not a short-term spike — the memory cycle has shifted into a new gear.

After the surge, are semiconductors overvalued or not?

CPU vs Memory — Which AI Hardware Leg Has More Upside?

  • Do you think Intel can reach a new all-time high?

  • Is a $100 price target for Intel reasonable?

  • Will CPUs replace memory as the next hot sector?

  • Leave your comments to win at least 5 tiger coins~

# Intel Surges 20% Post-Earnings — Is the CPU Making a Major Comeback?

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  • Shyon
    ·04-25 00:35
    TOP
    From my perspective, the strength in $Intel(INTC)$ and $Advanced Micro Devices(AMD)$ reflects a real shift—CPUs are no longer just supporting chips. In agentic AI, they act as the orchestration layer, coordinating tasks and workflows around GPUs. That’s why the market is starting to re-rate CPUs, even as memory names like SK Hynix remain fundamentally strong.

    I don’t see CPUs replacing memory—they’re becoming equally important. HBM demand is still tight, but CPUs were previously underappreciated in the AI stack, so this looks more like a catch-up trade than a full rotation.

    On valuation, I’d stay selective. $Intel(INTC)$ can keep rerating if execution holds, but a move to $100 likely needs sustained data center strength. I stay constructive overall, but prefer buying pullbacks rather than chasing.

    @Tiger_comments @TigerStars @TigerClub

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  • koolgal
    ·04-25 04:38
    TOP
    🌟🌟🌟 The comeback story of $Intel(INTC)$ is a masterclass in  what it means to be down but never out.

    For a while there Intel looks like it was losing its rhythm but now the critics are silenced with an astounding earnings report.

    Intel reached a record high of USD 85.22 on April 24 2026.  This rally has eclipsed the previous all time high set on August 31 2000.

    The surge is driven by a fundamental shift in Intel's trajectory due to unprecedented AI server demand for server CPUs to support agentic AI, fueling a CPU renaissance.

    Successful high volume manufacturing on the 18A node has proven Intel can execute its technical road map.

    Q1 2026 adjusted EPS of USD 0.29 crushed the USD 0.02 analyst estimate, showing significant margin improvement.

    Can Intel go higher?

    KeyBanc recently raised its price target to USD 110 & HSBC increased its target to USD 95.

    What an amazing turnaround for Intel!  It is time to buy this stock.

    @Tiger_comments @TigerStars @Tiger_SG

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  • Cadi Poon
    ·04-25 02:41
    TOP
    Intel delivered far stronger-than-expected sales guidance. A year ago, the market was asking if Intel could survive. Now, it’s asking whether Intel has enough capacity.

    The company stated that June-quarter revenue is expected at $13.8B–$14.8B, versus analyst expectations of $13B.

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  • Lanceljx
    ·04-26 13:08
    TOP
    Intel’s turnaround looks increasingly real, but US$100 is ambitious. It is achievable if execution stays strong, AI server CPU demand expands, and margins continue recovering. That said, much optimism is already priced in, so further upside needs clear earnings beats.

    On CPU vs Memory, I would not call it a replacement cycle. CPUs are becoming critical as the “brains” for AI orchestration and inference, while memory, especially HBM/DRAM, remains the bandwidth backbone. Both can run, but leadership may rotate.

    My pick:
    • Near term momentum: CPU
    • Higher upside torque: Memory
    • Safer long-term compounder: CPU

    Intel at a new ATH? Possible.
    Intel above US$100? Possible, but execution must be near flawless.

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  • Chrishust
    ·04-25 02:29
    1. Intel has a lot of future growth potential
    2. Yes above $40 is possible
    3. No cpu silicon is a depreciating asset
    4. Thankyou
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  • ECLC
    ·04-25 20:58
    CPUs are experiencing a major comeback as demand surge for Intel processors in AI era. But not so certain if the rally is sustainable as the competition goes on.
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  • 北极篂
    ·04-25 20:57
    结论很简单:CPU不会取代内存,它们只是从“主角+配角”,变成“双核心”。真正的机会,反而在两边都沾的公司。
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  • 北极篂
    ·04-25 20:57
    至于估值,我反而觉得现在开始要小心一点。CPU和内存都在高景气区间,只是叙事在切换。英特尔冲100美元不是不可能,但前提是它要持续证明:数据中心增长、制程兑现、代工业务都要跟上,否则这更像一波修复行情。
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  • 北极篂
    ·04-25 20:57
    所以CPU这波上涨,本质是“角色重估”。不是它突然变强,而是市场发现之前低估了它的重要性。


    但这不代表内存不行。像SK海力士这种,基本面依然非常硬,HBM供不应求也不是故事。闪迪走弱,更像个股或短期情绪,而不是行业见顶。
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  • 北极篂
    ·04-25 20:56
    过去两年那条“GPU→HBM→先进封装”的单链逻辑太顺了,顺到大家默认CPU只是附属品。但Agent AI起来之后,逻辑变了。CPU不再只是“喂数据”,而是变成调度中心:任务拆解、状态管理、上下文拼接,全都压在CPU上。尤其多轮推理下,每一轮中间数据量其实不小,这些“脏活累活”GPU不会做,也不适合做。
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  • 北极篂
    ·04-25 20:56
    这一周市场的风向确实有点“变味”:从之前一面倒追内存(尤其HBM),突然转向追捧CPU,连英特尔和超微设备都被重新定价。我自己的感觉是,这不是简单的板块轮动,而是市场开始重新理解AI算力结构。
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  • TimothyX
    ·04-25 02:38
    Agentic AI workloads (task scheduling, state management, I/O control) are overwhelming GPUs alone — CPUs are now critical infrastructure again, not just supporting hardware.

    Over the past two years, the market has been used to a single chain: capex up → GPU orders up → HBM up → advanced packaging up.

    In this chain, CPUs were just a supporting role — “one extra chip bundled in the server,” and were given low valuation weight.

    Morgan Stanley’s March AI Agent report pointed out:
    pure inference and agent-based inference are physically different, and putting them into the same BOM model ignores the CPU as a core driver.

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  • AN88
    ·04-26 04:21
    yes can reach new high. $100 price target is reasonable. yes will cpu will replace memory
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  • Alubin
    ·04-26 10:58
    Yes I see CPU playing a complementary role to AI, and so it will ride on the AI hype and wave to continue going to new highs!
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  • AN88
    ·04-25 06:12
    yes Intel can reach new all time. yes $100 reasonable. yes cpu replace memory
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  • Myrttle
    ·04-25 00:21
    I think $Intel(INTC)$ has potential to ride the wave alongside $Advanced Micro Devices(AMD)$
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  • highhand
    ·04-25 00:19
    yes, plenty of time to buy. we starting new bull run for AI companies. let's go!
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  • Sekyung Kim
    ·04-25 06:55
    Now show me what you got
    time to show now !!!
    you're time right now !!!!
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  • Jackosen
    ·04-25 08:22
    trump investment will push it higher
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  • LucasOng
    ·04-26 01:15
    NVIDA riding the 5T
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