The new flagship processors from Intel will run cooler and more efficiently for PC gaming.
The new Intel desktop processors will operate cooler and more efficiently.
Intel has decided to tackle the issues of high temperatures and energy consumption of its desktop CPUs by introducing its new Core Ultra 200S processor series, which will be available starting October 24. This series, codenamed Arrow Lake S, focuses on optimizing performance per watt, allowing for more efficient and cooler operation compared to 14th generation chips.
Josh Newman, General Manager and Vice President of Client Computing Product Marketing, states that “Arrow Lake will provide the best performance from Intel for enthusiasts in both desktop and mobile,” emphasizing that it will offer this performance with significantly lower energy consumption than previous generations.
The Arrow Lake architecture represents Intel’s effort to reduce the energy consumption of its processors. It was acknowledged that the 13th and 14th generations of Intel Core CPUs were very power-hungry, consuming more than their AMD competitors. With the new Core Ultra 200S chips, energy consumption is expected to be cut in half during basic tasks, and significant savings are also anticipated during gaming.
Robert Hallock, Vice President of Intel's Client Computing Group, explains that “you can expect about half the energy consumption on the desktop” and that there will also be reductions during single-core usage. In a recent presentation, Intel showcased the performance of the game Assassin’s Creed Mirage on its flagship Core Ultra 9 285K compared to the current Core i9-14900K, where the new model achieved similar or better performance with 80 watts less power consumption.
Intel assures that the temperatures of the Core Ultra 9 285K will drop by around 13°C compared to the 14900K during 1080p gaming sessions. Although a new LGA-1851 socket will be introduced with these chips, many current all-in-one coolers will remain compatible.
The new processors are being manufactured with advanced 3D packaging technology, allowing their size to be reduced by 33% compared to the 14th generation. The Ultra 9 285K will include 24 cores and 24 threads, along with a notable increase in the efficiency of the low-power cores, although hyperthreading has been removed to enhance energy efficiency.
Regarding single-thread performance, Intel believes the Ultra 9 285K will be about 8% faster compared to the 14900K, while a 15% increase is expected in multi-thread tasks. However, when compared to AMD Ryzen processors, it is acknowledged that the gaming performance of the Ultra 9 285K may lag approximately 5% behind AMD's X3D chips.
In addition to enhancing performance for content creation tasks and others, Intel has integrated a neural processing unit (NPU) in the Ultra 9 285K, designed to accelerate certain AI-related tasks. However, this NPU, which achieves 13 TOPS, does not meet the requirements for advanced features like Microsoft Copilot Plus.
The new LGA-1851 socket features support for Z890 motherboards, offering extensive connectivity, including up to 24 PCIe 4.0 lanes and compatibility with up to 192 GB of DDR5 RAM. This new series also integrates several security mechanisms and has dropped support for DDR4.
The future of the LGA-1851 socket is not entirely clear, as Intel has not provided specific information about its longevity, contrasting with AMD's commitment to maintain its AM5 socket until 2027 or beyond. Finally, the new Core Ultra 200S chips will begin shipping on October 24, with prices varying by model.
