Intel presented a new generation of desktop processors – Core Ultra 200S – based on the Arrow Lake architecture. The changes are significant, but it seems that performance has taken a backseat.
Intel Core Ultra 200S – Arrow Lake
The first generation of Core Ultra processors appeared only in notebook computers. For desktop models, Intel has long offered Raptor Lake processors with the 14th generation of Core architecture, which had their problems. However, the wait is over and yesterday the new generation was announced – Core Ultra 200S based on the Arrow Lake architecture. New processors introduce very specific changes, not only in the architecture itself, but also in their structure and in terms of priorities between performance and energy saving. Let’s start with these changes in architecture.
The most efficient processor in the new offer – Intel Core Ultra 9 285K will be equipped with 8 P cores (Performance) and 16 E cores (Efficiency). Intel promises that P cores will be up to 9% more efficient than those in the Raptor Lake architecture. What is equally important, however, is that they do not have the HyperThreading function, which means that they can only work on one thread at a time. To compensate for the performance drop in multi-threaded applications, the number of E-cores has been increased, which also supports only one thread. However, the new core architecture – Skymont is to be as much as 32% more efficient compared to the previous generation, and will also be clocked higher. As a result, the top system will be able to handle 24 threads simultaneously and will not lag behind the most efficient processor of the previous generation. The only problem is that we were probably counting on an increase in efficiency…
It looks like timing got in the way. The new processors have slightly lower clocks than their predecessors (max. 5.7 GHz), which also affects performance. This is a bit surprising because the computing tile with processor cores is produced by TSMC using advanced N3B lithography, which should allow for better parameters than Raptor Lake. However, Intel focused on saving energy and in this respect the new processors are expected to be much better. However, we will find out about this only after the first tests. Interestingly, Core Ultra 200S consists of as many as 4 tiles. This is Intel’s first approach to building a desktop processor in this way, while AMD has been doing it for several years now. All tiles are manufactured by TSMC, GPU in N5P lithography, and I/O tiles and SOC tiles in N6 lithography. Intel just puts it all together on its Foveros platform.
The GPU used is based on Intel Arc technology, but it has only 4 computing units and it is difficult to count on it being suitable for anything more than displaying the desktop. However, this is rather the rule in the case of Intel desktop processors. It won’t help much in the case of artificial intelligence calculations, although the package also includes an NPU system with a performance of 13 TOPS. The entire processor is supposed to be able to offer 36 TOPS, which is not even enough for the Copilot Ready “badge” 😉 (you need 40 TOPS).
Of course, a new socket – LGA 1851
Intel would not be itself if it did not introduce a new socket along with the new generation of processors. Therefore, if you want to buy a new processor, you will also have to replace the motherboard. Now DDR5 memory will be mandatory, support for the older generation of memory has been completely withdrawn. The undoubted advantage of the new processors is the presence of as many as 20 PCIe 5.0 lines, which will probably be appreciated by gamers who want to buy the GeForce RTX 5090. In addition, we also have up to 24 PCIe 4.0 lines, which will be useful if you want to install several SSD drives in your computer. The rest is rather standard.
Just like the prices of new processors. The top Intel Core Ultra 9 285K model was priced at $589, which is similar to the previous generation. On the one hand, it’s nice that Intel didn’t raise prices, but on the other hand, it didn’t have much reason to do so. Even on the manufacturer’s slides, the performance of the new processors is rather comparable to the previous generation. If you don’t care about energy consumption, switching to a new platform probably won’t make sense. The new systems will be available in stores in less than 2 weeks, on October 24.
