CES 2025: Intel, NVIDIA, and AMD Unveil Powerful New AI-Focused Chips

NVIDIA, AMD and Intel aimed for maximum power at CES 2025

There was no question that NVIDIA's RTX 5000 GPUs would be one of the biggest stories at CES 2025, and I figured Intel and AMD to arrive with some new hardware of their own. But I didn't expect that each of these companies would, in their own way, be putting the pedal to the metal when it comes to power for their chip designs. After all, we've spent the last few years covering AI PC CPUs that was targeting efficiency more than raw performance. While NVIDIA RTX 5000 GPUs seem to deliver the performance leap we expected over its 2022-era cards, AMD is also redefining what's possible for mobile workstations with its Ryzen AI Max chips, which combine powerful graphics with gobs of integrated memory. Intel isn't sitting still either -- it's finally moving Arrow Lake into the high-performance and gaming arena with its Core Ultra 200HX chips, which can reach up to 24 cores and 5.5GHz speeds. I'm not just talking about power in the sheer performance sense, either. NVIDIA's $1,999 RTX 5090 requires a 1,000-watt power supply to function and uses up to 575 watts. The Ryzen AI Max chips, meanwhile, could eat up as much as 120-watts. Intel's Core Ultra 200HX chips go as high as 120-watts. Clearly, none of this hardware is meant for anyone concerned about their energy bills or potential laptop battery life. So what do you get for all of this energy consumption? AMD says the RTX 5090 will deliver roughly twice the performance of its previous flagship, the $1,499 RTX 4090. In a 4K Cyberpunk 2077 demo with full ray tracing, the 4090 hovered around 108 fps while the 5090 was reaching 240 fps. That frame count is a bit controversial, though, since the RTX 5090's DLSS 4 AI upscaling generates three frames for every natively rendered frame. The end result may look smoother to most people, but some gamers might question the integrity of so-called false frames. It's those same AI-generated frames that allow NVIDIA to proclaim that the $549 RTX 5070 could be as powerful as the 4090. That may be true when it comes to pure frames-per-second count, but it certainly won't be for rasterized performance without DLSS 4. AMD's Ryzen AI Max chips aren't aiming for the same sort of graphical heights as NVIDIA's new GPUs, but they're still notable for the sheer amount of hardware they contain. The top-of-the-line Ryzen AI Max+ 395 sports 16 CPU Zen 5 cores, 50 TOPS of AI performance and 40 RDNA 3.5 GPU compute units. According to AMD, it should be on-part with Apple's 14-core M4 Pro chip (and even faster in the Vray benchark), and it's 2.6 times faster in 3D rendering than Intel's Core Ultra 9 288V. In an interview with AMD CVP and product CTO Joe Macri, he told Engadget that the success of Apple Silicon as a major reason why the Ryzen AI Max exists. "What Apple showed was consumers don't care what's inside the box," he said. Macri later noted, "I always knew, because we were building APUs, and I'd been pushing for this big APU forever, that I could build, a system that was smaller, faster, and I could give much higher performance at the same power." AMD also briefly previewed its RDNA 4 graphics at CES, though at this point it's clearly aiming for the mid-range and not NVIDIA's RTX 5090. Notably, AMD will debut a new AI powered upscaling technology in RDNA 4 GPUs, FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4). That should finally give AMD a way to directly compete against NVIDA's DLSS, which for years has looked better than earlier versions of FSR. The first RDNA 4 cards, the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT, will arrive sometime in the first quarter. Intel's presence at CES 2024 was more muted than the competition, but loyalists will likely appreciate the new Core Ultra 200HX chips. While they scale back NPU performance from its recent AI PC hardware (12 TOPS down from 48 TOPS), the Core Ultra 9 285HX looks like a 24-core beast. It'll be interesting to see how it competes AMD's Ryzen AI 300 hardware, though it likely won't stand a chance against the Ryzen AI Max when paired up with a discrete GPU.

The Essential CPU and GPU Field Guide for 2025

At CES 2025, AI is everywhere -- just as expected -- in the CPU and GPU announcements from the major players in the biz, where every last company is touting how their processors will be the end-all, be-all of AI-driven productivity. Never mind if you don't know your Stable Diffusion from your DeepL Translate: Your next PC is going to be tuned for all of it. Need help making sense of it all? We sifted through the keynotes and other announcements from the four big chipmakers at CES this year to get the lowdown on what's in store for the PC space in the months to come. It's all digested below but, spoiler alert, every one of them says that their chips are going to be the fastest and bestest on the market. As a foreword, note that we're not delving into non-PC announcements here, including things like the Snapdragon Digital Chassis for automotive platforms, NVIDIA's homegrown AI foundational model Cosmos, or chips specifically designed for use in robotics or various smart home technologies. Intel has launched a glut of new Core and Core Ultra processors -- a total of eight different series across three major product lines -- along with some minor upgrades to existing chips. While Intel is currently in the unenviable position of playing catch-up to much of the market on performance, its efficiency-focused messaging isn't overwhelmingly convincing that things are going to change quickly -- though it does have some muscle hitting the market. Here's what's new, and you can get the full low-down from Intel here. Intel's Core Ultra Series 2 (Arrow Lake) launched last October to a collective groan. The chips were supposed to make Intel competitive with other platforms, but for the most part, performance was static over the previous generation of Core Ultra chips, with particularly weak gaming performance. They also aren't Copilot+ PCs: Only Intel's Lunar Lake-based machines are able to be classified as Copilot+ PC systems, thanks to their improved neural processing unit.

CES 2025: 15 PC Chips Announced By Intel, Nvidia, AMD And Qualcomm

While Nvidia revealed the much-anticipated GeForce RTX 50 GPUs and GB10 Superchip, Intel, AMD and Qualcomm announced new processors designed for Copilot+ PCs at various price points and performance levels among many other PC chip announcements at CES 2025. The world's largest chip designers heralded new waves of laptops, desktops and workstations -- many with varying degrees of AI capabilities -- coming to the market this year with a wide range of CPU and GPU announcements made at CES 2025 this week. When it came to the PC market, Intel, Nvidia, AMD and Qualcomm announced a total of 15 new chip products and lineups, many of which were on the system-on-chip side with a CPU, GPU and, in some cases, a neural processing unit (NPU) on the same package. [Related: AMD Wins Over Dell In Commercial PC Deal For Ryzen AI Pro Chips] While most of the chips are mainly aimed at Windows PCs, Nvidia stood out by announcing a shrunk-down version of its Grace Blackwell Superchip, announced last year for AI data centers, for a small-form-factor, Linux-based desktop PC aimed at AI developers. As for Intel, AMD and Qualcomm, all three companies announced new processors designed for Copilot+ PCs at various price points and performance levels. At the top of the spectrum was AMD's all-new Ryzen AI Max series. In the middle, Intel announced it was bringing its Core Ultra 200V processors to commercial laptops while AMD revealed new mid-range Ryzen AI 300 chips for consumer and commercial PCs. Then there was Qualcomm, which announced the entry-level Snapdragon X for $600-range Copilot+ PCs. While these chips came with integrated graphics of various performance levels, Nvidia and AMD also used CES 2025 to announce new discrete GPUs, with the former revealing its much-anticipated GeForce RTX 50 series for desktops and laptops. There were many other chips announced, mainly CPUs at different levels of performance from Intel and AMD for consumer- and commercial-focused laptops and desktops. What follows are details of the 15 PC chips that Intel, Nvidia, AMD and Qualcomm announced at CES 2025, ranging from Nvidia's GeForce RTX 50 series and GB10 Superchip, to Intel's Core 200V CPUs, to AMD's Ryzen AI Max series, to Qualcomm's Snapdragon X.

Intel unveils Arrow Lake AI chips for gaming laptops at CES 2025

Intel is revving up its AI chip lineup at CES 2025. Today, the company unveiled the Core Ultra 200H chips for "performance thin and light" notebooks, alongside the Core Ultra 200HX chips for mobile gamers who demand powerful discrete GPUs. There aren't any big surprises with these chips, but if you were eyeing the Core Ultra 200V AI chips, but wanted something with a bit more horsepower, the 200H and 200HX are exactly what you're looking for. The Core Ultra 200H family tops out with the Core Ultra 9 285H processor, which offers 16 cores (six performance, eight efficient and two low-power) and a top speed of 5.4GHz. It also sports 8 Intel Arc GPU cores, which is enough to play some smaller titles. The Core Ultra 200HX family adds more cores to make them better suited to games and high-intensity workloads. The high-end Core Ultra 9 285HX has 24 cores (eight performance and 16 efficient) and a maximum speed of 5.5GHz. While it offers only 4 Intel GPU cores, it's not meant much to game much on its own. Instead, it'll be paired up with discrete GPUs from NVIDIA or AMD in gaming laptops. Intel didn't have many other details to share on these chips, other than the fact that we can expect to see systems featuring them sometime in the first quarter. That's also when desktops powered by the Core Ultra 200S chips start shipping. But hey, it's CES, and AMD almost certainly has its own chip refresh in tow. Intel had to announce something, otherwise all we'd be talking about is how much trouble the company is in following the ouster of former CEO Pat Gelsinger.

Intel Slugs AMD, Qualcomm With Core Ultra 200V Chips For Commercial Laptops

At CES 2025, Intel fights with AMD and Qualcomm in the AI PC arena with the launch of the Core Ultra 200V series for commercial thin-and-light laptops as well as four other chip lines due for commercial systems in different form factors. Intel said that its Core Ultra 200V processors will become available in commercial laptops starting this month, promising to beat competing chips from AMD and Qualcomm in multiple areas, including battery life and a variety of AI workloads. At CES 2025 on Monday, the semiconductor giant announced that the Core Ultra 200V series, previously code-named Lunar Lake, will go into more than 30 commercial thin-and-light laptop designs from over 10 OEMS, including Lenovo, HP Inc. and Dell Technologies. [Related: Opinion: Why Nvidia, MediaTek May Enter The PC CPU Market Soon] "With Intel Core Ultra 200V processors, we're enhancing the business end-user experiences by enabling longer better life, AI innovation for every business persona and superior performance that delivers business productivity," said David Feng, vice president and general manager of client segments in Intel's Client Computing Group, in a briefing. These PCs will also come with Intel's vPro management and security platform, which will support new security capabilities from ISVs ranging from CrowdStrike to TrendMicro as well as new integrations with Microsoft Intune, Omnissa and other PC management tools. "With Intel vPro platform, we're raising the bar for IT by providing the tools to manage [operating system] transition with confidence, keep devices secure in a modern work environment, and make it easier than ever to manage device fleets with innovative solutions," Feng said. The Core Ultra 200V launch was among several other chip series Intel revealed for commercial PCs at CES 2025. The other lines consist of the Core Ultra 200U and Intel Core Ultra 200H series for thin-and-light laptops, the Core Ultra 200HX series for performance notebooks, and the Core Ultra 200S series for desktops and workstations. These other Core Ultra chips all share the same Arrow Lake microarchitecture that was introduced in the Core Ultra 200S chips for consumer desktops last fall, albeit in different configurations and designs depending on the requirements for each device segment. All of these Arrow Lake-based chips are expected to become available in systems starting this month with the exception of Core Ultra 200HX, which is scheduled to hit systems late in the first quarter, and Core Ultra 200H, which is due to launch earlier in the quarter. "With Intel Core Ultra 200 series processors, we're bringing [an] unmatched portfolio of exciting products to all commercial personas and form factors, to help business end customers enjoy the productivity gain brought by these AI PCs, and to provide the resilient, secure and easy to manage commercial PC lineup to IT," Feng said. With the Lunar Lake microarchitecture sporting a far faster neural processing unit (NPU) than Arrow Lake, Intel is promoting the Core Ultra 200V processors, which debuted in consumer laptops last fall, for "next-gen AI PC" experiences. Intel said these experiences will include AI applications and features from more than 200 ISVs as well as Microsoft's Copilot+ PC features. However, while the Core Ultra 200V chips meet Microsoft's Copilot+ PC technical requirements, the features are only available to Windows Insider Community testers for now. General availability is not yet known. The Core Ultra 200V processors feature four performance cores, four low-power efficiency cores, eight GPU cores based on Intel's Xe2 architecture and 32GB of on-package memory in a power envelope that can be configured from 8 watts to 30 watts. The NPU can perform up to 48 trillion operations per second. For connectivity, the chips support Intel Wi-Fi 7 with wireless speeds up to five times faster than the previous generation, Intel Thunderbolt 4 with up to 40 Gbps of bandwidth that can be used for PC-to-PC sharing, among other things, and Intel Bluetooth 5.4. Intel is calling the Core Ultra 200V processors an "unprecedented refresh opportunity" for commercial PCs, saying that they can enable up to 20 percent more productivity, two times longer battery life and five times faster Wi-Fi than a three-year-old PC. "2025 is the year of refresh driven by innovation, and we're working closely with Microsoft to accelerate the enterprise transition to Windows 11 and harness the benefits of AI between Microsoft experiences and the broad Intel AI ISV ecosystem," Feng said. While Intel did not say how much faster the Core Ultra 200V chips are than the last-generation Core Ultra 100 "Meteor Lake" processors on standard benchmarks and applications, it did claim that the new generation is anywhere from 14 percent to two times faster for AI features in various applications ranging from Tableau to Distinct AI. When it came to the competition, Intel showed that the Core Ultra 200V processors are mostly faster than AMD's Ryzen AI 300 series or Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite series. In handpicked benchmarks, Intel said the Core Ultra 7 268V is 33 percent faster on PugetBench Premiere Pro, 29 percent faster on Procyon Photo, 25 percent faster on CrossMark for productivity, 11 percent faster on WebXPRT 4 for Chrome and 6 percent faster on Procyon for Office productivity than the Snapdragon X Elite-X1E-80-100. Compared to the Ryzen AI 7 Pro 360, the Core Ultra 7 268V was shown to be faster on all benchmarks except Procyon Photo, where the two chips tied, according to Intel. In AI benchmarks, Intel said the Core Ultra 7 268V could deliver faster performance in all but one benchmark versus competing chips from Qualcomm and AMD across the NPU and GPU. When comparing NPU performance in the Geekbench AI test using the 8-bit integer format (int8), the Snapdragon X Elite-X1E-80-100 won out by less than 2 percent. The NPU in the Ryzen AI 7 Pro 360 barely lost in the Procyon AI computer vision format using the int8 format. Intel also claimed that the Snapdragon X Elite chip and, to a lesser extent, the Ryzen AI chip could not run all AI benchmarks across all listed formats for the NPU and GPU. These included the Procyon AI and Geekbench AI tests for the GPU on Snapdragon X as well as the Geekbench AI test for the NPU on Ryzen AI. To demonstrate the battery life capabilities of the Core Ultra 200V series, Intel performed two sets of tests across laptops with chips from Intel, AMD and Qualcomm. One test measured battery life for a video call showing nine simultaneous video streams on Microsoft Teams. The other used the UL Procyon Battery Life Office Productivity benchmark, which simulates Microsoft 365 application usage. In the Microsoft Teams test, Intel said the Core Ultra 7 268V could enable up to 10.5 hours of battery life while the Snapdragon X Elite-X1E-80-100 and Ryzen AI 7 Pro 360 could only deliver up to 9.2 hours and 6.1 hours respectively. In the UL Procyon test, Intel said the Core Ultra chip could enable up to 20.3 hours of battery life while the Snapdragon X Elite-X1E-80-100 and Ryzen AI 7 Pro 360 could only deliver up to 18.5 hours and 13.5 hours respectively.

Intel shows off its latest chip lineup at CES 2025

The product announcement is Intel's largest since the company's board of directors forced out CEO Pat Gelsinger. That's not the only reason stakes are high. Intel's 13th- and 14th-generation Core CPUs suffered from overheating issues that took nearly a year to resolve. Needless to say, Intel has a lot to prove. The latest processors in the company's Core portfolio range from the Core 3 for lighter tasks to the beefier Core Ultra 200H, a part of Intel's new Core Ultra Series 2 lineup. Here's the full list of new chips announced on Monday (note that Intel revealed a few of these late last year): Each of Intel's new Core Ultra processors is available at low power (35 watts), standard power (65 watts), and high power (125 watts), with 14 to 24 cores. Some come with extras like Intel's newest Wi-Fi technology, Intel Wi-Fi 7, and memory on the package. As with other recent generations of Intel chips, the new lineups have different types of cores that make up the chip package. Some are "P-cores," which are focused on performance, while others are "E-cores," architected for efficiency. A third category of cores, "low-power E-cores," are even more power-efficient than the standard E-cores. Intel claims that its newest generation of P-cores have been re-engineered with AI-based power management and other optimizations, while its new E-cores are its "most efficient" yet. "Next-gen low-power E-cores optimized for tasks requiring less power, along with new power, thermal, and acoustic features, help create powerhouse thin and light systems," wrote the company in a release. The Core Ultra 200H chips get Intel's flagship built-in graphics in certain configurations: Intel Arc with XMX. The Core Ultra 200S, Core Ultra 200U, Core 200S, and Core 100U have the company's less powerful Intel Graphics brand of GPUs. But the Core Ultra 200S and Core Ultra 200U, along with the Core Ultra 200H, ship with Intel's AI accelerator tech, AI Boost, under-hood. Certain processors, like those in the Core Ultra 200HX, Core Ultra 200H, Core Ultra 200U, and Core Ultra 200V series, sport Intel's neural processing unit (NPU), a dedicated chip for running AI applications and features like those that ship in Windows 11. Intel claims that the new NPU packed into Core Ultra 200V has 2x the bandwidth compared to the previous version. Intel is pitching its Core Ultra 200V, HX, H, U, and S chips as best for "commercial" applications. By comparison, the Core Ultra 200S series should deliver "desktop performance." The Ultra 200HX is aimed at "enthusiast notebooks," according to Intel, while the Ultra 200H is designed for devices with "thin and light" form factors. An important differentiator for the Core Ultra 200V -- which also has Intel Arc graphics -- is the inclusion of Intel's vPro enterprise-focused ecosystem. That spans hardware-based threat detection tech, apps optimized for the chip, and stability and validation programs. The Core Ultra 200V can also be configured by manufacturers to support Pluton, Microsoft's hardware-based security co-processor, Intel said. Pluton acts as a hardware root-of-trust, which in simple terms protects a device's hardware from tampering. In a press release, Intel called out the improved performance of a few Core Ultra processor SKUs. The company claimed that the Core Ultra 285 -- which will retail as the Core Ultra 9 processor 285 -- has 2.9x better graphics performance than the chip it replaces, the Core i9 processor 14900. The Core Ultra 285H, retailing as the Core Ultra 9 processor 285H, meanwhile, can run Meta's text-generating Llama 3 8B AI model 3.3x faster than the Core Ultra 9 processor 185H, per Intel's benchmark results. PCs with Core Ultra 200V, HX, H, U, and S chips will be available starting later this month. Systems with Core Ultra 200H processors will arrive in early Q1 of this year, with Ultra 200HX-based systems to follow in late Q1.

Intel Core Ultra 200H, 200HX Chips Pose the Question: To AI or Not to AI

I was going to write up Intel's CES 2025 announcements with a list of my takeaways. But it turns out I only really have a single thought about the raft of new mobile processors, led by its Arrow Lake-architecture 200HX and 200H series, at least until we can test them to attain clarity: WTF? The fragmentation of the lines between gaming/creating and the rest isn't new, nor is the AI performance vs. everything else. Or business vs. consumer. But Intel typically launches them separately any time of the year that is not CES; for instance, the AI-flagship Core Ultra 200V series (Lunar Lake architecture) in September 2024 or the desktop gaming flagship Core Ultra 200S series (Arrow Lake architecture) in October. As usual, though, at CES Intel announced a mix of processor lines, which really drove home the increasing fragmentation between the AI-optimized chips and the rest. I expect it all to normalize within the next few years as we stop thinking of AI as separate from the rest of the capabilities the way we eventually stopped thinking of a "multimedia PC" as a singular type of system over 25 years ago. But the interim remains confusing and isn't helped by Intel's calling any chip with an NPU an "AI PC," even if the NPU is barely useful. The hardware demands and use cases of AI have spiked significantly in the year since Intel launched its Meteor Lake processors (the Core Ultra 100 series) at an event where it popularized "AI PC" -- and the Arrow Lake NPU performs only slightly better than that Meteor Lake NPU. Even if you take into account the AI performance of the sum of its silicon parts (the metric referred to as "platform TOPS," which combines the theoretical performance of the CPU, GPU and NPU). Intel noted that laptops with the 200V series chips and prebuilt desktops with the 200S chips will be shipping before March. Intel also made a slew of business-slash-commercial chip announcements plus a ton of no-AI-support-at-all Core 200-series processors, all with the expected hard sell on why your business needs chips with AI support. The HX series has long been Intel's flagship creating-and-gaming mobile CPU, but it's always lagged a generation in core technologies and has also always been intended to work with a discrete GPU -- a separate graphics chip from Nvidia or Intel -- so Intel never bothers putting its latest graphics technology in this class of processors. But now, in addition to the modest integrated graphics in the new generation of 200HX series mobile CPUs, it also has the anemic last-gen 13.1 TOPS NPU as well, just like the Arrow Lake desktop CPUs. Sure, you can get much better generative AI performance out of a good discrete GPU, but the meh NPU brings the overall platform performance down compared to what it might have been -- it goes only as high as a total of 36 platform TOPS, which could potentially affect things like heavy mixed video workloads (like streaming while using gen AI). And even these systems may turn off the discrete GPU when on battery, so you'd end up stuck at the lower performance level for AI. The new HX chips have a much lower maximum power draw than their 14th-gen predecessors, maxing out at 57W, which targets them at thinner, more power efficient but still enthusiast-centric laptops. This is a notable switch from what what was almost universally considered a "desktop chip for mobile." On the flipside, the V series' integrated GPU performs like "discrete-level graphics" (which is a terrible and confusing way to put it), and those chips don't seem to support discrete GPUs; that's essentially a chip intended to compete with the Apple M4 Pro. So which would you want? That brings me to the 200H series (Arrow Lake-H), the traditional thin, light and optional-discrete-graphics chip line. It has the weak NPU of the HX but the most Xe graphics cores, so the integrated Arc GPU can at least compensate a bit (with up to 63-77 GPU TOPS and 99 platform TOPS, depending upon the chip). It has a higher power envelope than the HX (up to 60W), but downshifted general processor performance relative to the HX. In other words, it's likely to be the best balance if you want a laptop that doesn't require you know what you want it for in advance. Except possibly saving money. All this means that manufacturers will be making decisions about configurations they offer that you won't necessarily love; that's nothing new, the additional considerations may fry your brain. It does mine. The HX series are expected to ship in March, with the H slated for beforehand.

Intel unveils new Core Ultra processors with 2X to 3X performance on AI apps

The chips under the Intel Core Ultra 9 and Core i9 labels were previously codenamed Arrow Lake H, Meteor Lake H, Arrow Lake S and Raptor Lake S Refresh. Intel said it is pushing the boundaries of AI performance and power efficiency for businesses and consumers, ushering in the next era of AI computing. In other performance metrics, Intel said the Core Ultra 9 processors are up to 5.8 times faster in media performance, 3.4 times faster in video analytics end-to-end workloads with media and AI, and 8.2 times better in terms of performance per watt than prior chips. Intel hopes to kick off the year better than in 2024. CEO Pat Gelsinger resigned last month without a permanent successor after a variety of struggles, including mass layoffs, manufacturing delays and poor execution on chips including gaming bugs in chips launched during the summer. Michael Masci, vice president of product management at the Edge Computing Group at Intel, said in a briefing that AI, once the domain of research labs, is integrating into every aspect of our lives, including AI PCs where the AI processing is done in the computer itself, not the cloud. AI is also being processed in data centers in big enterprises, from retail stores to hospital rooms. "As CES kicks off, it's clear we are witnessing a transformative moment," he said. "Artificial intelligence is moving at an unprecedented pace." The new processors include the Intel Core 9 Ultra 200 H/U/S models, with up to 99 TOPS (a measure of AI performance) for the H versions. Other models being launched carry the Intel Core 200S, 200H, 100U and Intel Core 3 processor and Intel Processor names. The chips have improvements for data security, and they come with built-in Intel Arc GPU with Intel XMX or Intel graphics. For the flagship Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 285H, formerly codenamed Arrow Lake H, the chip has 2.2 times higher performance in Procyon AI Computer Vision, 3.3 times higher performance in Llama 3 8B, and 2.3 times higher performance in Stable Diffiusion 1.5 compared to the prior chip, the Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 185H (codenamed Meteor Lake H). Intel is now under the temporary leadership of David Zinsner and Michelle Johnston Holthaus as co-CEOs. Zinsner is the CFO of Intel, while Holthaus is the general manager of Intel's client computing group. "Intel Core Ultra processors are setting new benchmarks for mobile AI and graphics, once again demonstrating the superior performance and efficiency of the x86 architecture as we shape the future of personal computing," said Michelle Johnston Holthaus, interim co-CEO of Intel and CEO of Intel Products, in a statement. "The strength of our AI PC product innovation, combined with the breadth and scale of our hardware and software ecosystem across all segments of the market, is empowering users with a better experience in the traditional ways we use PCs for productivity, creation and communication, while opening up completely new capabilities with over 400 AI features. And Intel is only going to continue bolstering its AI PC product portfolio in 2025 and beyond as we sample our lead Intel 18A product to customers now ahead of volume production in the second half of 2025." The Intel Core Ultra Processor (V-SKUs) platform has NPU performance that hits 48 TOPS and 67 TOPS with a GPU. The V-SKUs have eight processor cores and run at P-Core Max Turbo frequency up to 5.1 GHz. Intel said its AI PCs use GPUs for high throughput, NPUs for low power AI workloads and CPUs for fast response with low-latency AI workloads. There are other variations on the Intel Core Ultra as well. In other CES 2025 news, Intel is also unveiling its solutions for smart vehicles. Jack Weast, Intel Fellow and vice president of Intel Automotive, will unveil Intel's next-gen architecture with AI inside for vehicles on Tuesday, January 7, at 3:30 p.m. Intel's whole-vehicle approach is built to empower the next generation of intelligent software-defined vehicles. Weast's will showcase how Intel's combination of AI-enhanced high-performance compute, intelligent power management and software-defined zonal controllers built on an open ecosystem enables a more sustainable, scalable and profitable automotive future. Intel also showed off its Intel Core Ultra 200V Series processors (announced in September) for business users. It also updated its Intel vPro technology for IT departments. For businesses striving to stay ahead in the AI era, Intel introduced Intel Core Ultra 200V series processors with Intel vPro. These new processors offer dramatic performance gains, enhanced efficiency, and robust security and manageability features to help modernize IT environments. New Intel Core Ultra 200V series mobile processors with Intel vPro are empowering businesses with AI-driven productivity and enhanced IT management. The combination of performance, efficiency and industry-leading business computing with advanced security and manageability - all while enabling a seamless Microsoft Copilot+ experience - helps to deliver a robust platform for modern workplaces, Intel said. It noted that the latest HP EliteBook X laptop with an Intel Core Ultra7 268V processor has up to 10.5 hours of battery life using Microsoft Teams, compared to similar rival machines with lower battery lives. On Microsoft 365 apps, it has up to 20.3 hours of battery life. Intel has partnered with Microsoft to continue to advance AI-driven innovation, enhanced security, and superior performance into 2025. Copilot+ PCs powered by Intel Core Ultra 200V series processors unlock next gen AI productivity, all while delivering long lasting battery life, Intel said.. "Copilot+ PCs offer exceptional performance, battery life, enhanced AI experiences, and are all Secured-core PCs with the Microsoft Pluton security processor. Copilot+ PCs powered by Intel Core Ultra 200V series deliver on all these fronts, and we are excited to partner with Intel to bring a broad set of Copilot+ PCs to commercial audiences," said Pavan Davuluri, CVP Windows + Devices at Microsoft, in a statement. "Intel Core Ultra 200V series Copilot+ PCs are an excellent choice for commercial customers looking to upgrade their existing Windows 10 PCs to Windows 11." Intel Core Ultra 200HX and H Series: Powering Creators and Gamers For creators and gaming enthusiasts, Intel introduces the Core Ultra 200HX and H series mobile processors, delivering industry-leading performance, efficiency and platform capabilities, alongside a landmark reduction in power usage. These processors elevate mobile creativity and provide gamers with an immersive experience backed by powerful AI acceleration, Intel said. "Our Intel Core Ultra 200HX and H series processors are built for the next generation of creators and gamers," said Josh Newman, vice president of the Client Computing Group and general manager of Product Marketing and Management at Intel, in a statement. "With breakthrough compute and graphics performance, efficiency and AI capabilities, these processors will push the entire laptop experience to new heights." Key features of the Intel Core Ultra 200HX and H series mobile processors include: Additionally, Intel is launching its Intel Core Ultra 200U series mobile processors featuring up to two P-cores and eight E-cores, Intel Xe LPG graphics, and up to 24 platform TOPS. Intel Core Ultra 200U series systems give users a great balance of performance, power efficiency and price. Intel is also expanding its Intel Core Ultra 200S series desktop processors with 12 new 65-watt and 35-watt offerings. Featuring up to eight P-cores and 16 E-cores, these new processors will give customers an incredible blend of performance and power efficiency in a desktop CPU - whether for gaming, creating or using productivity applications.

Intel's next-gen Core Ultra chips could set a new high standard for mobile computing in 2025

It's a new year, which means one thing: CES 2025, or the Consumer Electronics Show, is here. It's a big yearly event where tech companies show off what's coming in 2025 and beyond. Intel is set to have a big year because it is set to launch the second generation of its Core Ultra processors. The series comprises 24 unique models split across three major builds: the Intel Core Ultra 5, Ultra 7, and Ultra 9. Each one offers mobile and desktop processors. They range from the Intel Core Ultra 5 235U for lightweight notebooks to the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K for PC towers. Also: CES 2025: What is it, what to expect, and how to tune in Like the previous series, the second-gen Core Ultra chipsets sport an "AI-optimized architecture where the CPU, GPU, and NPU" work together delivering speedy performance. The company states that the mobile processor features "new CPU architecture," a next-gen Intel Arc graphics card, plus "a higher capacity NPU" to help people be more productive. Speaking of features, the chips sport on-package memory and introduce support for Wi-Fi 7, ensuring fast wireless connectivity. The desktop processors are set to house "new NPUs" alongside integrated Intel graphics cards. These machines will also support wired connections via ethernet and wireless connectivity thanks to Wi-Fi 6E. Intel's desktop chipsets may lack Wi-Fi 7 support, but they compensate for it with better performance. Also: One of my favorite laptops I've tested this year is ultraportable and has all-day battery life The company tested the new hardware against other top-class chipsets from previous years. Intel's desktop models seem to have a more significant leap in quality compared to its mobile chips. For example, the Intel Core UItra 9 285 has 2.33 times faster processing power than the 14th-Gen Intel Core i9-14900 desktop SoC (system on a chip). On the other hand, the Intel Core Ultra 285H only has a 2.2 times processing boost over the Intel Ultra 9 185H hardware. Also: What is an AI PC exactly? And should you buy one in 2025? Outside of raw power, Intel is updating hardware security, too. The brand is expanding access to the NPU on the Series 2 chipsets to third-party cybersecurity developers. This will allow security apps to become better at "detecting and responding to threats." What's more, all models will "incorporate the [new] Intel Silicon Security Engine" for authenticating system firmware. At the time of this writing, it's unknown exactly when the second-generation Intel Core Ultra processors are going to roll out or which computers will house one. So far, Intel has yet to reveal any of its partners. I can say that I am looking forward to the release. I've become very familiar with the first generation of hardware last year, and I was impressed with how well they performed. I'm sure this next batch will impress.

Intel's 2025 'Arrow Lake' Core Ultra Chips for Laptops Prioritize Power Over AI

The 200U series of Core Ultra chips will drive even more efficient (and affordable) systems than 200V, while the 200H and 200HX will fit into higher-performance and max-power laptops, respectively. All of these new chips also prioritize either performance (H and HX series) or efficiency (U series) ahead of AI output, leaving the V series to lead in that specific performance trait with its 48 trillion operations per second (TOPS) rating. Intel also used the CES stage to launch Lunar Lake and the rest of these Arrow Lake processors for business laptops, under the longtime vPro brand. Here's what we know so far about the new chips and what sort of laptops each tier will appear in this year. Lunar Lake Brings Top-Tier AI Into the Office: The New Core Ultra 200V vPro Series Debuting for the first time in work systems, Lunar Lake processors have Intel's second generation of AI-optimized neural processing units (NPU) to execute AI software tasks with enhanced efficiency. These vPro chips come with the same redesigned cores, next-generation Intel Arc graphics, and integrated Intel Wi-Fi 7 (5 Gig) as in consumer-grade systems. The new Wi-Fi is up to five times faster (up to 5.8Gbps) than Wi-Fi 6, with 60% lower latency for better video conferencing. This Wi-Fi chip uses AI-based networking optimization software to maintain uptime while working across the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz frequencies. Additionally, the chips support 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4, four times faster than USB 3.2 (10Gbps). This enables Intel Thunderbolt Share for seamless PC-to-PC data-sharing and connecting dual 4K displays or a single 8K display. Intel also added Bluetooth 5.4 with Microsoft Teams Certification over Bluetooth for added security. More important to security, however, is Intel vPro, the firm's endpoint security solution with AI, MITRE mapping to combat real-world threat tactics, and hardware-based threat detection technology. The last is aptly named Intel Threat Detection Technology (TDT) and the Intel Silicon Security Engine. Intel's Core Ultra 200-series processors allow third-party security software to use the NPU, making it more effective at detecting threats like ransomware and cryptojacking. Core Ultra 200V also supports the Microsoft Pluton security processor to provide a robust foundation for security aimed at helping businesses operate with greater confidence in their cybersecurity measures. Intel also promotes a vast ecosystem of more than 200 independent software vendors developing commercial applications and services tailored to its platform. Notable names include Adobe, Citrix, Power BI, Webex, and Microsoft. Additional vendors leverage AI for various business applications, ranging from data visualization and analytics to video editing and media creation. Note that Intel will offer vPro security measures for several processors across its 2025 stack, from 200V-series chips to options from the U, H, and HX series for general work machines and high-power mobile workstations. These Arrow Lake Core Ultra 200-series chips also have NPU hardware onboard, albeit less potent than what's in the Lunar Lake 200V processors. Now, the Rest of Intel's Core Ultra 200-Series Chips for 2025 With Intel's introduction of Lunar Lake vPro to the office out of the way, the firm's Lunar Lake and new Arrow Lake Core Ultra 200-series processors will fit into the following subcategories of laptops for consumers: Thin-and-Light Laptops: Core Ultra 200U Series These notebooks are designed for on-the-go workers and the mainstream consumer audience. When an OEM opts for Intel, they will most often feature the new Intel Core Ultra 200U chips. or sometimes the beefier 200H processors, when the implementation calls for them. These U-series chips deliver improved processing for everyday tasks and boosted Intel graphics, while driving efficiency with Low-Power Efficient (LPE) cores in addition to Intel's standard split of Performance (P) and Efficient (E) cores. This amounts to 12 total cores across the lineup, with two P-cores (up to 5.3GHz), eight E-cores, and two LPE-cores. Those will be common traits to each of this processor line's four CPU options, from Core Ultra 5 to Core Ultra 7. Intel aims to enable PC makers to deliver true full-day battery life with the Core Ultra 200U line of chips. According to Intel's testing using the UL Procyon Battery Life benchmark test and a 3x3 Microsoft Teams meeting scenario, newly equipped laptops report up to 20 hours of use in basic productivity and up to 10 hours in Microsoft Teams meetings. While you can get some AI work done on these chips, their 13-TOPS NPU isn't quite Copilot+ PC grade, which requires at least a 45 NPU TOPS rating. Premium Ultraportables: The Original Core Ultra 200V Series These laptops cater to knowledge workers and prosumers; some have been available to buy since late 2024 with Lunar Lake 200V-series chips inside. On those, you get P-cores capable of achieving up to 5.1GHz of turbo frequency and LPE-cores reaching 3.7GHz. These cores are tailored for even more efficiency in driving low-impact tasks. Intel also brought its newest Intel Arc integrated graphics to 200V. This integrated graphics processor (IGP) contains eight Xe cores (up to 2.05GHz) with 64 vector engines, 8MB of cache, and the ability to leverage the on-die system memory module as an additional video memory resource. It also has AI upscaling and ray-tracing engines for additional fidelity. (Lots of these graphic features continue to play out and advance through Intel's H- and HX-series Arrow Lake chips, too.) Finally, these are Intel's most advanced chips in its 2025 stack for local AI work, starting with 48 NPU TOPS. This enables OEMs to designate laptops based on these chips Copilot+ PC-compatible. High-Performance Laptops: Core Ultra 200H Series These laptops are designed for power users in and out of the office. Their processors feature more redesigned cores (ranging from 14 to 16), higher-voltage Intel Arc graphics, and optional Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, twice as fast as the previous generation. They provide exceptional performance, enhanced graphics processing, and faster connectivity for demanding tasks. However, like the U series, they're less focused on AI performance, with just 11 TOPS worth of NPU speeds, so laptops with H-series chips will not be included in the Copilot+ PC program. For these high-speed laptops, the Intel Core Ultra 200H series is the name of the game. This line starts with the Core Ultra 5 225H processor, which contains four P-cores (up to 4.9GHz), eight E-cores, two LPE-cores, and eight Xe graphics cores (up to 2.2GHz). It ends with the powerful Core Ultra 9 285H, which packs six P-cores (up to 5.4GHz), eight E-cores, two LPE-cores, and eight Xe cores (up to 2.35GHz) for high-intensity productivity or gaming. Finally, these chips specifically feature an Endurance Gaming Mode, which uses Intel's Dynamic Tuning Technology to adjust performance and power draw based on system temperature to maximize gaming battery life. Content Creator Laptops, Gaming Laptops, and Mobile Workstations: Core Ultra 200HX Series These ultra-powered laptops cater to technical creators with the heaviest computational demands, as well as to top-tier PC gaming experiences. They feature even more redesigned CPU cores (dropping LPE-cores entirely), support for the absolute best discrete graphics, and Thunderbolt 5, delivering top-tier performance and graphics capabilities for demanding workloads and games. Rated for up to 55 watts of power, these aren't for slim portability machines but powerful number crunchers needed for engineering and 3D rendering, where thicker designs and higher prices are acceptable trade-offs to get peak processing and graphics power. This is where Intel's Core Ultra 200HX series is called upon. It ranges from the more basic Core Ultra 5 235HX with six P-cores (up to 5.1GHz), eight E-cores (up to 2.9GHz), and three Xe cores (up to 1.8GHz) to the Core Ultra 9 285HX with its eight P-cores (up to 5.5GHz), 16 E-cores (up to 2.8GHz), and four Xe cores (up to 2GHz). These chips deliver up to 13 NPU TOPS, more than most of Intel's Arrow Lake lineup, but that's not nearly enough to be considered a Copilot+ PC. Intel's focus is instead on other areas of performance here. Arrow Lake processors will be available in business-grade and mainstream laptops in all form factors across a range of brands starting this month and will continue to be released through the first quarter of 2025. To learn more, check out our coverage of every laptop announcement from CES 2025.

CES 2025: Can Intel's Arrow Lake CPUs help reclaim the market lead?

At CES 2025, Intel unveiled its Arrow Lake CPU architecture, announcing that it will power a new generation of gaming laptops, particularly through the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX model. This architecture features a dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit) that enhances AI performance, alongside a dedicated GPU for higher graphical demands. The Intel Core Ultra 200HX processors will include up to 24 cores, with the 285HX variant providing 8 performance cores and 16 efficiency cores. The performance cores will handle more intensive tasks while the efficiency cores manage background processes. Unlike previous iterations, these performance cores are single-threaded; however, improvements in instructions per clock (IPC) are expected to mitigate performance losses. Intel stock slips another 2.9%: Can it bounce back from a 57% slide? The Arrow Lake series comprises several tiers: the 200U series prioritizes efficiency, while the 200H and 200HX series focus on high performance. The 200U processors cater to mainstream and on-the-go users, supporting a maximum of 12 cores and aiming for extended battery life, boasting up to 20 hours of basic usage and about 10 hours during Microsoft Teams meetings. However, their NPU capabilities are limited to 13 trillion operations per second (TOPS). The Core Ultra 200V series, designed for premium ultraportables, supports up to 48 TOPS, making it compatible with Intel's Copilot+ PC program for local AI tasks. The 200H series, aimed at power users, provides a high core count (14 to 16 cores) with higher-voltage Intel Arc graphics but retains modest NPU capabilities at 11 TOPS. The most robust offering, the 200HX series, suits creators and gamers requiring exceptional processing power. These chips range from the Core Ultra 5 235HX to the Core Ultra 9 285HX, featuring configurations that deliver up to 13 TOPS from the NPU but remain focused on computational power rather than significantly enhanced AI performance. Intel also highlighted advancements in connectivity with the latest models, offering maximum compatibility with Thunderbolt 5 and AI-based networking optimizations through integrated Wi-Fi 7. This technology ensures faster and more reliable connections, further bolstering laptop capabilities. Intel plans to roll out these new processors across various laptop designs starting this month, with further releases to follow in the first quarter of 2025. The introduction comes as the company approaches a critical phase in reclaiming its position amid significant market competition from companies like AMD and Qualcomm, who are also advancing their own processor technologies. Intel's Arrow Lake CPUs could be their Hail Mary at CES 2025 -- but will it be enough to reclaim the throne? With AMD dominating in efficiency and performance and Apple flexing its silicon muscle, Intel's got a lot to prove. Arrow Lake promises groundbreaking power-per-watt gains and AI-accelerated features, but we've heard similar pitches before. Execution will be key. The big question: Can Intel meet delivery timelines and outperform Ryzen and M-series chips? If not, Arrow Lake might end up another footnote in Intel's long slide.

Intel's new Arrow Lake chips can't make the Copilot+ PC cut

TOPS, SCHMOPS, says Chipzilla, our NPUs may be slow but that doesn't matter Intel has announced new silicon for the edge, and products for laptops that lack one. The new laptop silicon, aka Core Ultra 2, aka Arrow Lake, comes in three flavors: the high-performance Core Ultra 200HX and 200H series for gamers and content creators, and the power-efficient 200U processors for ultraportables. Like Intel's earlier crop of Arrow Lake desktop chips, they feature neural processing units (NPUs) designed for AI workloads. But they're relatively wimpy NPUs that mean the new chips won't earn PCs that use them the "Copilot+ PCs" label that Microsoft uses to designate "the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs" - machines with NPUs capable of performing 40+ trillion operations pers second (TOPS). Intel's announcement of the new kit mentions "platform TOPS" and performance of 99 TOPS when GPU, NPU, and CPU all work together. Another Intel document states that the 200H and 200HX NPUs max out at just 13 TOPS, while the 200U's NPU deliver just 11 TOPS. Qualcomm and AMD claim their desktop systems boast NPUs capable of 45 and 50 TOPS performance respectively. Intel has nonetheless proclaimed it enjoys "leadership" in AI PCs. "The strength of our AI PC product innovation, combined with the breadth and scale of our hardware and software ecosystem across all segments of the market, is empowering users with a better experience in the traditional ways we use PCs," Intel interim co-CEO and CEO of Intel Products Michelle Johnston Holthaus said of the new chips. "Intel is only going to continue bolstering its AI PC product portfolio in 2025 and beyond," Holthaus added. Here's a look at the HX series of Arrow Lake parts. Intel does have one family of chips with an NPU that meets Microsoft's standards: the Lunar Lake processors released in September 2024. The NPUs in those devices reach 48 TOPS. Intel's announcement of the new Arrow Lake kit nonetheless claimed the Lunar Lake kit, aka the Core Ultra 200V, demonstrate its leadership - in part because they include an updated version of the vPro security and management features the company recommends to business PC buyers. But that vPro upgrade was announced last February. The new H Series Arrow Lake processors detailed below fall well short of the 48 TOPS mark. The U series Arrow Lake silicon includes the following models. Alongside its announcement of laptop parts that lack an edge, Intel announced products for the desktop and the edge. The desktop products are new members of the Core Ultra 200S series, which now includes a dozen 65-watt and 35-watt offerings for mainstream desktop users. Intel's product brief [PDF] doesn't list the new models but suggests they'll do well in educational, retail, healthcare, and manufacturing environments. For less demanding workloads, Intel also announced a pair of new Core 3 processors and the same number of plain vanilla Intel Processors - aka Twin Lake - aimed at low-end laptops and low-power embedded devices and which improve on the clock speeds offered in Alder Lake by a couple of hundred megahertz. Intel hasn't claimed those products are market leaders. It has claimed products built on its 18A process, which is roughly equivalent to what rival foundries would describe as a 1.8 nanometer process, will represent a new level of chipmaking sophistication. The chipmaker's CES announcement revealed its already produced sample products made with 18A and plans "volume production in the second half of 2025." The company is yet to detail performance of those products, but perhaps by CES 2026 they'll make its claims of leadership more credible. ®

Intel Ships Out A Whopping "1.5 Million" Lunar Lake SoCs In 2024; Plans To Aggressively Expand The AI PC Portfolio In Future

Intel's Lunar Lake "mobile" chips have apparently been a huge hit for the company, as Team Blue managed to ship out 1.5 million CPUs in 2024, marking an impressive milestone. It seems like, despite a financial pullback, Intel is going pretty great when it comes to consumer adoption rates, at least for its mobile CPUs. At the recent CES 2025 keynote, Intel revealed that they have managed to witness massive anticipation around their Lunar Lake SoCs, as the company has exceeded volume expectations, shipping out 1.5 million CPUs last year alone, which is certainly a step in the right direction for the company. Intel is optimistic that the AI PC momentum will continue moving into 2025, which will further fuel consumer adoption. Intel's Lunar Lake SoCs became an instant hit when it entered the laptop segment, mainly since it was the company's first try at integrating dedicated AI engines (NPUs) into their tile configuration, and it's safe to say that it worked out. Along with this, with the new AI PC hype and Microsoft's Copilot+ PC program, Team Blue saw increased adoption, which is why Lunar Lake became popular among laptop integrators. So, this is one of the main highlights of Intel's CES 2025 keynote, apart from mainstream releases. Now, for those unaware, Intel has unveiled its newest Arrow Lake-HX/H mobile processors, which is targeted at replacing Lunar Lake, not just in terms of performance, but efficiency numbers as well. While the HX variants are targeted towards the enthusiast segment, the H models are more suited for mainstream adoption, since they come with up to 16 core (6+8+2) configurations. As for availability, the Intel Core Ultra 200H will be available starting February 2025, while the Core Ultra 200HX platforms will become available in the first half of 2025. So, this is a sum-up of what Intel has achieved and what its plans are for the future of the laptop market, and by the looks of it, the company is set to maintain its stronghold over this particular segment.

Intel Core Ultra 200H and HX Series chips are here -- everything you need to know

Just over a year ago, Intel Core Ultra formed a complete rethink in what a chipset should be -- moving towards being an all-in-one piece of silicon with choices made on what to put emphasis on between CPU, GPU and AI performance via the NPU. So far, we've seen Intel Core Ultra 200V impress in thin and light laptops like the Asus Zenbook S14. And now at CES 2025, Intel is taking it to the next level with the debut of 200U for budget-end systems, 200HX for bleeding edge gaming systems, and 200H for a nice middle ground. Not a fan of using Apple terminology to describe Intel CPUs (and I doubt Intel is either), but think of Intel Core Ultra 200H as the M4 Pro to the 200V's M4. It's the same all-in-one system on a chip but turned up to 11. This is the performance set of chips that introduce next-gen Lion Cove and Skymont cores for improved performance and power efficiency. Alongside this, integrated graphics are taking another step forward with a new Arc GPU. Intel is touting this for "performance thin and light" laptops, and is claiming double digit performance improvements over single and multi-core workloads, more than 20% better GPU performance, and up to 99 total platform TOPS of AI performance. Let's move over to Intel Core Ultra 200HX, where you're seeing six new CPUs: You may remember that I've not had the best relationship with Intel Core Ultra in gaming laptops (looking at you, Asus ROG Zephyrus G16), because the way Intel's chips handled power efficiency created a bit of an onboard argument with Windows 11's power management settings and the power plan of the laptop itself. That made it a bit of a lucky dip as to whether you're going to get the maximum performance out of that dedicated GPU, or whether the CPU was going to go low power and bottleneck the whole thing. Fortunately, it looks like Intel has addressed this with the 200HX series, which the company claims itself is for "creator and gaming notebooks." Yes, there's the NPU on-board here, and yes there is still the lower power consumption. But team blue is touting maximized control with "more overclocking features and data-lanes than ever." And when you take a look at the number of GPU cores and NPU TOPS, the decision Intel made here is to work in tandem with a dGPU for maximum performance (Intel themselves confirmed you can see gaming systems coming in the next couple months). You may have noticed that Intel also announced another CPU line, the budget end power efficient Intel Core Ultra 200U. It is built on Arrow Lake, so I'm anticipating it does have an NPU. However, even Intel itself doesn't seem too keen to talk about it. When we get more info, I'll be sure to update this part of the article. But given the company doesn't want to tell us about it, I'm definitely a little suspicious of whether this one will actually be worth getting, or if it's just something to fill a segment.

New Arrow Lake Intel Core Ultra mobile processors land with up to 24 cores

Intel launched numerous new Arrow Lake mobile processors at CES 2025 to round out its portfolio of low-power CPUs. With the 200V series already available, the company focused on new Core Ultra 200HX, 200H, and 200U processors at this year's event. Intel is offering some serious performance with some of these SKUs, including the flagship Core Ultra 9 285HX and its impressive 24 cores. More performance, more AI Close The Intel Core Ultra 200HX processors are all about performance for gaming with AI. If you're looking for the most powerful Intel 200-series CPU, you'll want one of these. They have up to 8 P-cores and 16 E-cores for a total of 24. There's an onboard neural processing unit (NPU) for handling lighter AI workloads, though the chip will be able to scale up from 13 TOPS to 36 TOPS when combining the power of the CPU and GPU. As well as AI, which seems to be everywhere at CES this year, Intel worked on maximizing connectivity with desktop-replacing Intel Core Ultra HX chips, which support up to 192 GB of DDR5-6400 RAM, integrated Thunderbolt 4 and discrete Thunderbolt 5 support, and the latest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. It's safe to say that you'll be happily working (or gaming) away on a laptop with one of these CPUs without missing cables, at least for networking. P-cores / E-cores Intel Smart Cache Max boost (P-core / E-core) GPU Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX 8 / 16 (24) 36 MB 5.5 GHz / 2.8 GHz Intel Graphics (Xe) Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX 8 / 16 (24) 36 MB 5.4 GHz / 2.7 GHz Intel Graphics (Xe) Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX 8 / 12 (20) 30 MB 5.3 GHz / 2.6 GHz Intel Graphics (Xe) Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX 8 / 12 (20) 30 MB 5.2 GHz / 2.4 GHz Intel Graphics (Xe) Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX 6 / 8 (14) 24 MB 5.1 GHz / 3.1 GHz Intel Graphics (Xe) Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX 6 / 8 (14) 24 MB 5.5 GHz / 2.9 GHz Intel Graphics (Xe) We're looking at 24 cores for the Core Ultra 9 285HX and 275HX, as well as 36 MB of Smart Cache and a maximum boost of 5.5 GHz and 5.4 GHz, respectively. With a capable GPU, you can smash through heavier workloads, such as modern gaming and creator software. It's no secret that HX-series CPUs weren't terribly efficient, which is something Intel plans to change with the new family. The Intel Core Ultra H and U series are also based on Arrow Lake. These are solid processors for gaming and work on the go with better battery life than the range-topping enthusiast chips, yet still manage to pack a punch when required. Compared to previous-gen Meteor Lake chips, the new H-series promises substantial improvements across CPU, NPU, and GPU. P-cores / E-cores / LPE-cores Intel Smart Cache Max boost (P-core) GPU Intel Core Ultra 9 285H 6 / 8 / 2 (16) 24 MB 5.4 GHz Intel Arc Graphics (Xe-LPG+) Intel Core Ultra 7 265H 6 / 8 / 2 (16) 24 MB 5.3 GHz Intel Arc Graphics (Xe-LPG+) Intel Core Ultra 7 255H 6 / 8 / 2 (16) 24 MB 5.1 GHz Intel Arc Graphics (Xe-LPG+) Intel Core Ultra 5 235H 4 / 8 / 2 (14) 18 MB 5.0 GHz Intel Arc Graphics (Xe-LPG+) Intel Core Ultra 5 225H 4 / 8 / 2 (14) 18 MB 4.9 GHz Intel Arc Graphics (Xe-LPG+) Rocking up to 16 cores with the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H, Core Ultra 7 265H, and Core Ultra 7 255H, these H-series chips are designed for ultra-portable form factors, yet still offering decent performance. Up to 25 MB of Intel's Smart Cache will be available and a maximum boost speed of 5.4GHz should be possible with sufficient cooling. For AI jobs, the H-series will offer 11 TOPS without the GPU and CPU and a combined 99 TOPS. The U-series offers a more balanced experience with a smaller configuration of P-cores, E-cores, and LPE-cores. they rock Xe-LPG graphics and can boost up to 5.3 GHz. P-cores / E-cores / LPE-cores Intel Smart Cache Max boost (P-core) GPU Intel Core Ultra 7 265U 2 / 8 / 2 (12) 12 MB 5.3 GHz Intel Arc Graphics (Xe-LPG) Intel Core Ultra 7 255U 2 / 8 / 2 (12) 12 MB 5.2 GHz Intel Arc Graphics (Xe-LPG) Intel Core Ultra 5 235U 2 / 8 / 2 (12) 12 MB 4.9 GHz Intel Arc Graphics (Xe-LPG) Intel Core Ultra 5 255U 2 / 8 / 2 (12) 12 MB 4.8 GHz Intel Arc Graphics (Xe-LPG) Intel has been caught in an awkward position with competition from not only AMD but also Apple and other Arm-based chips looking to capitalize on market segments. These processors all join the existing Lunar Lake Intel Core Ultra 200V series to bolster Intel's portfolio of mobile chips ready for just about every laptop price point and form factor. We expect to see systems with the new 200HX, 200H, and 200U in Q1 2025. Intel's complete CPU line-up is confusing Just like AMD, Intel is struggling with its product names, especially as the company expands its portfolio with new SKUs. If you're wondering what all this jargon means and which CPU is best for your needs, here's a quick breakdown: Intel Core Ultra 200K/S - Arrow Lake for desktop systems. Intel Core Ultra 200HX - Arrow Lake for desktop-replacing enthusiast-grade mobile systems. Intel Core Ultra 200H - High-performance Arrow Lake CPUs for mainstream mobile systems. Intel Core Ultra 200U - Balanced performance for thin and light mobile systems. Intel Core Ultra 200V - Lunar Lake for low-power mobile systems. We'll be seeing more from Intel as CES progresses, including some news about the Intel Core Ultra 200S and Core 200U, the latter which shouldn't be confused with the Core Ultra 200U. We'll also be checking out some new hardware with these chips, so stay tuned!

Intel launches Arrow Lake mobile family with Core Ultra 200HX and 200H processors

Intel launched its Arrow Lake mobile product stack here at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, announcing five new Core Ultra 200H series processors for mainstream high-performance thin-and-lights, and six new Core Ultra 200HX series models for laptops. The 200H series slots in as the mainstream performance-focused portion of the company's Core Ultra 200 series, while the 200HX models serve as desktop/workstation replacements for enthusiasts by employing the same silicon the company uses for its desktop PC processors. Intel's previously launched Core Ultra 200V Lunar Lake processors will continue to serve as the battery life champs for Intel's laptop silicon. However, neither of the new processor families meet the minimum AI performance requirements from the NPU to meet Microsoft's certification for CoPilot+ PCs, leaving Lunar Lake as the company's only CoPilot+ capable platform. Intel's launch comes as the company looks to staunch laptop market share losses to AMD, not to mention fending off the Arm-powered newcomers from Qualcomm, Apple, and soon, presumably, Nvidia. To solidify its position, the company has launched an extensive range of 200V, 200HX, 200U, and a dual-pronged 200H series that will power the company's laptop portfolio into next year. The entire Intel Core Ultra 200 series is a complicated affair with multiple different tiers and architectures, here's a breakdown: The Core Ultra 200H series processors with integrated graphics will launch in early Q1, and the Core Ultra 200HX series systems with discrete graphics will follow in late Q1 due to the release timing of a new family of discrete GPUs. Intel will also launch its VPro Lunar Lake models in early Q1. We have plenty of information to chew over below, but Intel hasn't provided the deep-dive details of the designs or benchmarks yet. We're attending Intel's technical sessions later today and will update this article as needed. We also have Intel's full product briefs with all the platform connectivity details in the final picture album in the article. Intel's Core Ultra 200H series processors slot in as the mainstream mobile workhorses of the Arrow Lake family for thin-and-light laptops. The processors feature the Lion Cove P-core microarchitecture and employ Skymont for the E-cores (deep dive here). Intel claims the 200H series delivers up to 15% more performance in both single- and multi-threaded workloads over the prior-gen Meteor Lake Core Ultra 100H processors. The chips also come with Intel's Arc GPU (with XMX) armed with eight Xe LPG+ cores for all but the lowest-end model, which has seven Xe cores. Intel says the LPG+ graphics deliver up to 15% higher performance in graphics workloads over the prior gen. As expected, these AI-centric processors also have an in-built NPU that delivers up to 11 TOPS of performance in AI workloads, which is lower than the minimum requirement to meet Microsoft's CoPilot+ PC spec of 40+ TOPS. That means the Intel Lunar Lake laptops remain the only CoPilot+ capable laptops in Intel's lineup. However, the total system does have plenty of AI horsepower in aggregate, with up to 77 TOPS from the GPU contributing to a total of up to 99 platform TOPS of performance (the CPU delivers 11 TOPS). Notably, Intel silently launched its lower-tier Raptor Lake Core 200H series processors last month. You can read the details here, but these processors come with an older architecture that isn't as performant or power efficient as the Arrow Lake processors, yet they also fly under the same 200H series branding, but without the 'Ultra' moniker. These processors also all have a '0' as the third digit (e.g., 270H, 250H) that indicates they use the older design, while the Arrow Lake processors have a '5' (e.g., 285H, 265H). Intel's 200U series processors reportedly feature the Meteor Lake Refresh architecture, but the company didn't cover those processors in its press briefing. The 200H series processors replace the outgoing Meteor Lake family. The flagship Core Ultra 9 258H wields the same number of cores - six P-cores, eight e-cores, and two low-power E-cores - as its predecessor, but it sports 16 threads, which is less than the 24 threads present on the prior-gen model. That change is due to Intel's removal of hyperthreading from its P-cores, but the newer architecture helps offset the decreased number of threads. The 258H has a 5.4 GHz turbo boost, a 300 MHz improvement over the prior gen, and that trend carries over to the rest of the lineup, too. The power-sipping LPE-cores that debuted with Meteor Lake have also returned, but Intel hasn't shared any clock rate details for the smaller cores yet. The 258H processor comes with a 45W Processor Base Power (PBP) and a Maximum Turbo Power (MTP) of either 60W (28W cTDP) or 115W (45W cTDP), which varies based on the OEM configuration. The remainder of the lineup has a 28W PBP, but they also have the option of the two higher cTDP configurations. This gives OEMs the choice to use a lower 60W MTP threshold for all the processors, whereas the Meteor Lake lineup had a fixed 115W MTP. The full lineup now supports faster memory with up to DDR5-6400 and LPDDR5x-8400 speeds, along with support for the new CAMM2 modules. However, the maximum amount of supported memory has dropped from 192GB to 96GB, though that is hardly a concern in laptops. The Core Ultra 200HX series drops in as desktop 'replacements' by utilizing the same chip design as Intel's Arrow Lake Core Ultra 200S series processors, so the architectural aspects are largely identical to the Arrow Lake desktop chips. As such, they leverage the Lion Cove P-core and Skymont E-core microarchitectures. The 200HX chips are forged into a smaller BGA package to fit into a laptop, but the lower power and thermal thresholds found in laptops reduces the amount of horsepower available. Regardless, these processors represent the highest performance you can get in a laptop from Team Blue, and they're overclockable. The 200HX chips are meant to be paired with discrete GPUs for gaming, but Intel hasn't shared benchmarks yet due to the timing of the next-gen dGPU launches. The flagship Core Ultra 9 285HX has eight P-cores and 16 E-cores, with the P-cores peaking at a 5.4 GHz boost clock and the E-cores stretching up to 2.8 GHz. Intel says the processors provide up to a 5% increase in single-thread and 20% increase in multi-threaded performance over the prior-gen Raptor Lake Refresh models. Overall, the peak P-core and E-Core clock rates have decreased by 300 MHz and 1.3 GHz, respectively. The processors have a 55W PBP, the same as last gen, but stretch up to 160W under heavy load, a minor generation increase of 3W, so the lower clock rates aren't the result of lower overall power thresholds. As with the 200H series processors, the 200HX chips don't meet Microsoft's minimum requirement of 40+ TOPS from the NPU - the NPU engine peaks at 13.1 TOPS. The systems deliver a total of 36 TOPS with the combined grunt power of the CPU, GPU and NPU, though. The chips also support integrated Thunderbolt 4 (Thunderbolt 5 is supported with a discrete chip), Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.1. The chips also have the same improvements to memory speeds as seen with the H-series models. Intel's extensive portfolio of new laptop chips cover the entire spectrum of the laptop market, but the company hasn't yet shared the architectural details of its high-volume 200H series parts. We're attending Intel's sessions today and will update this article with new information as necessary.

Intel Arrow Lake Coming to a Gaming Laptop Near You - IGN

At CES 2025, Intel has announced that Arrow Lake, the CPU architecture behind the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, is coming to gaming laptops. Just like their desktop counterparts, these laptop processors will include a dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit), which should greatly improve AI performance. However, also like their desktop counterparts, most laptops with an Arrow Lake-HX or H processor will also have a dedicated GPU, which will relegate the NPU to lighter background AI tasks, like managing your battery. Regardless, these Intel Core Ultra 200HX processors are going to be featured in some of the best gaming PCs of the next year or so. The CPUs will feature up to 24 cores on the high end, with the Core Ultra 9 285HX featuring 8 performance cores and 16 efficiency cores. Just like previous generations of Intel processors, the performance cores are reserved for heavier, focused work, while the efficiency cores will focus on background tasks. Unlike previous generations, the performance cores are single-threaded, just like their desktop counterparts. However, through IPC improvements Intel was able to make with this generation, it claims it doesn't lose much in the way of performance. If you want to get your hands on a gaming laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 200H or 200HX processor, you'll start seeing them on store shelves over the next few months.