Intel Launches Core Ultra 200S Series: Bringing AI to Desktop PCs

Intel Core Ultra 200S CPUs Launched: Brings On-Device AI to Desktops

Price starts at $294 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF, with the lineup set to arrive globally on October 24. From Microsoft and Dell to ASUS and Acer, almost all the leading laptop makers gave us a taste of AI this year. These introduced us to AI-only CPUs like the Intel Core Ultra and even the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370. Well, Intel is finally giving desktop PC the same treatment with the launch of its Core Ultra 200S Arrow Lake CPUs. Not only do they bring on-device AI for the very first time to desktops, but there's also a major focus on power efficiency. Read on to know more. The latest Intel Arrow Lake CPUs are the very first "NPU-enabled" processors for desktops. Additionally, they also arrive with an in-built X GPU that, according to Intel, brings "state-of-the-art media support." The latest Arrow Lake series features five CPUs, from the vanilla Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF to the top-of-the-line Core Ultra 9 285K. These processors are capable of offering a boost clock speed of up to 5.7GHz alongside 8 performance cores and 16 efficiency cores. Also, do note that there's no hyper-threading anymore. So, the performance cores feature a single thread just like the efficiency cores. With that, here's a quick rundown of the processors' specifications: From the looks of it, Intel is well aware of how power-hungry their desktop CPUs can be. As a result, the Intel Core Ultra 200S sees a 58% power draw reduction in regular applications. In addition, Intel also claims that these processors require up to 165W lower system power when gaming. All Core Ultra 200S variants offer a maximum Maximum Turbo Power of 250W, except Core Ultra 5 245K and KF, which deliver 159W. Robert Hallock, VP and general manager of AI and Technical Marketing at Intel, states: "The new Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors deliver on our goals to significantly cut power usage while retaining outstanding gaming performance and delivering leadership compute. The result is a cooler and quieter user experience elevated by new AI gaming and creation capabilities enabled by the NPU, and leadership media performance that leverages our growing graphics portfolio." However, while the processors are extremely power efficient, they are said to deliver 6% faster single-threaded and 14% faster multi-threaded performance. As for the NPU, there are 36 platform TOPS to power AI tasks for content creation and gaming, with each of the chips capable of up to 13 TOPS. Intel also claims that these chipsets pack 28% more gaming performance as compared to other flagship processors in the segment. Further, we also get to see support for up to 24 PCIe 4.0 lanes, up to 10 USB 3.2 ports, as well as up to 8 SATA 3.0 ports. As for connectivity options, the latest Intel Core Ultra 200S processors support 20 CPU PCIe 5.0 lanes, 4 CPU PCIe 4.0 lanes, up to 2 integrated Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. Intel has also thrown a new memory controller into the mix, bringing support for the new and fast CUDIMM DDR5 and XMP memory, with up to 48GB per DIMM. Intel Extreme Tuning Utility also sports one-click overclocking enhancements now, Intel states. The Core Ultra 200S series launches globally on October 24. Pricing starts at $294 for the Core Ultra 5 245KF. Meanwhile, the regular Core Ultra 5 245K will cost $309. The Core Ultra 7 265K and 265KF CPUs cost $394 and $379, respectively. Finally, the top-of-the-line Core Ultra 9 285K comes with a price tag of $589. So, what do you think about Intel's latest generation of AI processors for desktops? Drop your thoughts in the comments down below!

Intel Core Ultra 200S Series Desktop Processors Officially Launch

Intel has officially launched its latest innovation in desktop processing technology, the Intel Core Ultra 200S series. This new family of processors is set to redefine the landscape of desktop computing by integrating advanced AI capabilities and delivering unprecedented performance for enthusiasts. With the introduction of the Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 285K, the series promises to bring a new level of efficiency and power to desktop platforms. The Intel Core Ultra 200S series is a catalyst in the realm of AI-enabled desktop computing. By incorporating a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), these processors are designed to handle complex AI tasks with ease. This innovation allows for the offloading of AI functions, freeing up discrete GPUs to enhance gaming frame rates and significantly reduce power usage in AI workloads. The NPU also enables accessibility features such as face- and gesture-tracking in games, all while minimizing performance impact. The new processors boast up to 8 next-gen Performance-cores and 16 Efficient-cores, resulting in a remarkable 14% increase in multi-threaded performance over the previous generation. This combination of cores ensures that users experience a cooler and quieter computing environment, with up to 58% lower package power in everyday applications and up to 165 W lower system power while gaming. The series also delivers up to 6% faster single-threaded performance, making it a formidable choice for both gaming and content creation. Here are a selection of other articles from our extensive library of content you may find of interest on the subject of Intel : For gaming enthusiasts and content creators, the Intel Core Ultra 200S series offers a complete solution. With up to 28% gaming performance uplift compared to competing flagship processors, users can enjoy an immersive gaming experience. The built-in Xe GPU provides state-of-the-art media support, ensuring that creators have the tools they need to produce high-quality content efficiently. The introduction of the new Intel 800 Series chipset extends platform compatibility, offering up to 24 PCIe 4.0 lanes, up to 8 SATA 3.0 ports, and up to 10 USB 3.2 ports. This enhanced connectivity empowers enthusiasts to take full advantage of the latest technologies, ensuring that their systems remain at the cutting edge of performance and innovation. The Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors will be available for purchase starting October 24, 2024. Consumers can find these processors at retail online and in stores, as well as through OEM partner systems. Pricing details will vary based on the specific model and configuration, but Intel aims to provide competitive options that cater to a wide range of performance needs and budgets. Intel has overhauled its overclocking functionality with the Core Ultra 200S series, offering fine-grain controls and a new memory controller that supports fast, new XMP and CUDIMM DDR5 memory. This allows for up to 192 GB of total memory, providing users with the flexibility to push their systems to new heights. Additionally, the processors come equipped with 20 CPU PCIe 5.0 lanes, 4 CPU PCIe 4.0 lanes, and support for integrated Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring seamless connectivity and performance. The Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors represent a significant leap forward in desktop computing, offering enhanced AI capabilities, improved performance, and innovative connectivity. For those interested in exploring further, areas such as AI-driven content creation, advanced gaming technologies, and the future of desktop processing power may provide additional insights into the potential of these groundbreaking processors.

Intel Arrow Lake-S Core Ultra 200S Series Desktop CPUs announced

Intel on Thursday introduced its Intel Core Ultra 200S desktop processors, codenamed Arrow Lake-S, marking the debut of the first AI-focused enthusiast desktop PCs. According to Intel, the Core Ultra 200S desktop processors aim to enhance performance in AI, gaming, and content creation while improving energy efficiency. Part of a broader AI PC initiative alongside the Core Ultra 200V mobile processors, Intel claims these new desktop CPUs, supported by over 500 optimized AI models, will unlock AI's full potential for users. The Intel Core Ultra 200 series emphasizes energy efficiency and introduces a new architecture combining Performance and Efficient cores with a desktop Neural Processing Unit (NPU). The "S" in the naming convention refers to Arrow Lake-S, with the first versions being unlocked SKUs featuring a 125W thermal design power (TDP), targeting gamers. The Arrow Lake CPUs adopt a design similar to Intel's previous Alder Lake and Raptor Lake series, featuring two core types: Lion Cove P-Cores and Skymont E-Cores. Intel has removed hyper-threading in this generation, reportedly improving performance and efficiency, achieving a 15-20% performance boost. Intel states that the Lion Cove P-Cores deliver a 9% improvement in instructions per cycle (IPC) over Raptor Cove cores, while the Skymont E-Cores offer a 32% performance increase over the Gracemont E-Cores from the 14th Gen Raptor Lake CPUs. Each P-Core has 3 MB of L2 cache, while a cluster of four E-Cores has 4 MB of L2 cache, and the CPUs share a maximum L3 cache of 36 MB. The Arrow Lake processors also feature an updated Thread Director, which allocates threads based on workload demands. For gaming, this architecture shifts workloads to P-Cores when necessary, optimizing performance while maintaining power efficiency. The processors also feature an upgraded Xe-LPG integrated GPU, providing better graphics performance and AI computing power. Arrow Lake introduces the same NPU3 found in Meteor Lake processors, enabling dedicated AI computing tasks. The Arrow Lake CPUs consist of six tiles, including: These components are connected using Intel's Foveros 3D packaging technology. The compute tile is notable for being manufactured on TSMC's N3B process node, marking a first for Intel desktop CPUs. The Intel Arrow Lake "Core Ultra 200S" lineup includes five SKUs, with three "K" and two "KF" variants: All SKUs support 24 PCIe lanes, 13 TOPs of NPU performance, dual-channel DDR5-6400 (up to 192 GB) memory, and feature four Xe iGPU cores with clock speeds up to 2000 MHz. The 285KF SKU will not be available at launch but may be introduced later. According to Intel, the Core Ultra 200S "Arrow Lake" processors offer significant improvements in performance and efficiency. In benchmarking tests, the Core Ultra 9 285K is reported to outperform competitors with a notable boost in single-core and multi-threaded performance. The Core Ultra 9 285K also addresses previous issues with power consumption and heat in gaming. It runs cooler and uses significantly less power than the Core i9-14900K. Additionally, the gaming performance remains consistent across different power limits, with the upcoming Core Ultra 7 265K expected to consume 188W less power while delivering slightly lower performance. The Core Ultra 200S series is Intel's first desktop processor to include a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Using the full compute power of its Arrow Lake chips, Intel provides 36 platform TOPs, supporting VNNI, DP4a, and NPU acceleration. Although it doesn't meet the 40+ TOPs requirement for Copilot+, desktop PCs with discrete GPUs can reach hundreds of TOPs to meet those demands. Intel emphasizes that integration with AI workloads is key, with its AI team working to enhance performance for various tasks. For creators, Intel claims a 50% faster AI-assisted video editing, 8x faster playback for professional video codecs, and a 20% speed increase in ray-traced rendering compared to AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X. The Arrow Lake processors will use the new LGA 1851 socket, replacing the LGA 1700. These processors will run on Intel's 800-series motherboards, starting with the Z890 chipset, which includes 48 PCIe lanes (20 PCIe 5.0 lanes from the CPU and PCH), 24 PCIe 4.0 lanes, and extensive connectivity options like USB 3.2 ports, eSPI, and SATA III links. Intel offers overclocking options for Arrow Lake processors, including: These processors have a TJmax (maximum operating temperature) of 105°C, providing ample headroom for overclockers. Intel Core Ultra 200S Arrow Lake CPU pricing is as follows: Major motherboard manufacturers, including ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, ASRock, and others, have released their Z890 motherboards on the same day.

Intel's Core Ultra 200S Desktop CPUs Have Faster Speeds and NPUs

Top Tech Deals: Ring Floodlight Cam, MacBook Air, Power Stations, Headphones, and More! Intel has unveiled the new Core Ultra 200S Arrow Lake chips, its next-generation silicon platform for desktop computers billed as an official successor to Lunar Lake. The five new chips in the series include the base 245K and 245KF versions (Core Ultra 5), the more powerful 265K and 265KF (Core Ultra 7), and the flagship 285K (Core Ultra 9). Intel designed the Core Ultra 200S series to accelerate graphics, compute, and AI workloads, sporting a thermal design power of 125W and a 159-250W power draw (varies by chip). The company quotes 30% lower power consumption, 2x graphics performance, and 10% faster multi-threaded performance than its fourteenth-generation Core platform. The chips integrate support for Wi-Fi 6E and Thunderbolt 4, with a 33% reduction in package size. The CPUs are paired with DDR5-6400 memory with up to 2 channels, with the maximum amount of RAM capped at 192GB in a 4x48GB configuration. Unfortunately, Intel has changed the sockets (again!), so you're going to need new motherboards like Intel's upcoming Z890. These are also Intel's desktop first processors to bring an integrated neural processing unit (NPU), referring to a specialized coprocessor designed for accelerating AI and machine learning tasks. The NPU is the same across the chips, capable of performing 13 trillion operations per second (TOPS). By comparison, Intel's laptop Core Ultra 200V Lunar Lake chips have a 48-TOPS NPU. The 14-core Ultra 5 245K and 245KF feature six performance cores for demanding applications and eight efficiency cores for power-sipping tasks, with a maximum power draw of 159W and up to 5.2 GHz in boost mode. The 245K and 245KF are equipped with 24MB of smart cache, 26MB of Level 2 cache, and an integrated four-core GPU, limited to 1.9 GHz. The spec sheet for the Core Ultra 7 265K and 265KF reveals a 20-core CPU comprising eight performance cores and twelve efficiency ones. Both of these chips sport a maximum power draw of 250W and feature 30MB of Smart Cache and 36MB of L2 Cache. They can boost their CPU clock frequency to up to 5.5 GHz, thanks to Intel's Thermal Velocity Boost technology which used to be exclusive to the Core i9 series. The 265K and 265KF also bring integrated Intel Xe-LP graphics with a GPU clocked at 2.0 GHz. Lastly, the flagship 24-core Core Ultra 9 285K uses eight Lion Cove performance cores and sixteen Skymont efficient cores with 36MB of Smart Cache and 40MB of L2 Cache. The Thermal Velocity Boost feature can boost the CPU clock frequency all the way up to 5.7 GHz, while the integrated GPU is clocked at 2.0 GHz. However, a slide from Intel's presentation indicates that the 285K will actually be slower for gaming than its Core i9-14900K. In Intel's testing, the 285K was capable of 261 frames per second on average versus 264 frames per second for the 14900K. On the other hand, the new 285K consumes less power than the 14900K (447W vs. 527W). The latest Core Ultra 200S Series lineup should be available by the end of October, and they should start showing up in prebuilt PCs by the end of 2024. Source: Intel

Intel's Core Ultra 200S CPUs are its biggest desktop refresh in three years

CPUs bring Core Ultra features to desktops, with similar performance caveats. Intel's 14th-generation desktop processors were a mild update on top of a mild update: a barely faster revision of the 13th-gen Core CPUs, which were themselves a modest tweak to 2021's 12th-gen Core processors. The new Core Ultra CPUs (and their underlying architectural changes) were exclusive to laptops. Today, that changes: The Core Ultra 200S processors (codenamed Arrow Lake) will bring to desktops many of the changes Intel has made to its Core Ultra 100- and 200-series laptop CPUs (Meteor Lake and Lunar Lake, respectively). Changes include a new chiplet-based design, new manufacturing technologies, updated CPU and GPU architectures, and a neural processing unit (NPU) for accelerating some AI and machine learning workloads. All of the new processors launch on October 24th. As with the Lunar Lake-based laptop chips, Intel has said that power efficiency is a big focus for Arrow Lake -- a welcome change after seeing how much power the 13th- and 14th-generation CPUs could consume when they were allowed. But also as with the laptop processors, the Core Ultra desktop CPUs aren't always a straightforward performance upgrade from their predecessors -- they're usually faster, but how much faster depends a lot on what you're asking them to do, at least according to the Intel-provided performance figures. The big under-the-hood change to Arrow Lake is that it shifts to a chiplet-based design, where multiple silicon dies are bound together using Intel's Foveros packaging technology. Foveros uses an Intel-manufactured "base tile" as an interconnect, allowing for communication between four TSMC-manufactured tiles: a compute tile for the CPU cores; a GPU tile for the graphics cores; an SoC tile that includes the NPU, video encoding and decoding blocks, and display outputs; and an I/O tile that mainly handles the DDR5 memory controller (Core Ultra 200S no longer supports DDR4, following AMD's lead). Like the Lunar Lake laptop chips, Arrow Lake will be an Intel-designed processor where most of the silicon won't actually be made in Intel's factories, aside from the base tile. The compute tile is manufactured on a 3 nm TSMC process, the GPU is a 5 nm TSMC process, and both the SoC and I/O tiles use a 6 nm process.

Intel Brings AI to Desktop CPUs with Core Ultra 200S Processors - IGN

Intel has annouced its Core Ultra 200S gaming processors, the successor to the Intel Core i9-14900K that launched back in 2023. Instead of being pure gaming chips like their predecessors, though, this lineup, known as Raptor Lake-R, is working NPUs (Neural Processing Units) into the chips for the first time in a desktop processor. Don't expect these processors to be way faster than their predecessors, though. Intel is selling these chips on lower power consumption and temperatures, a similar approach to AMD Ryzen 9000 processors. Even with lower power, Intel is claiming performance parity with its previous generation CPUs in most cases, and it should even pull ahead in some games. These processors are led by the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, a 24-core processor with 8 Performance Cores and 16 Efficiency Cores. Unlike its predecessor, however, Intel did away with Hyperthreading in the Performance Cores, leaving the Core Ultra 9 285K with 24-threads. Intel is also including a 13 TOPs (Trillion Operations Per Second) NPU in each of its Raptor Lake-R processors. This is the same NPU found in 2023's Meteor Lake, and should help with AI workloads when your graphics card is occupied - like in gaming. The Intel Core Ultra 200S processors are available October 24, 2024. I went ahead and listed the specs of each processor below. These Intel Core Ultra 200S processors are yet another launch doubling down on the idea of an AI PC. Each of the processors in this lineup are sporting the same NPU, rather than adding more CPU cores, which would be more meaningful for gaming performance. Intel is betting on AI workloads being a big thing for enthusiasts and gamers, which is already true to a point, but on desktop the need for an NPU is already being filled by graphics cards. That's largely why Intel limited the NPU in these processors to the 13 TOPS found in 2023's Meteor Lake. It's not fast enough to qualify for Microsoft's Copilot+ platform, which requires 50 TOPS, but Intel is counting on the idea that anyone who buys one of these processors will be pairing it with a discrete GPU, which are capable of hundreds of TOPS of AI performance. But given that, why include an NPU at all? Well, Intel is betting that games are going to start working AI into their engines in a bigger way, and its inclusion of an NPU is a way to take some stress away from your graphics cards, in the hopes of giving back a few frames per second. There are already movements in the direction Intel is suggesting - Nvidia is working on myriad ways to implement AI into game engines for everything from game help to dialog. And as with all new technology, any hardware that can accelerate these workloads is going to be a welcome fit. Only time will tell if focusing on AI performance is going to be worth it. After all, Intel got into some hot water lately for a microcode bug that caused its 13th- and 14th-gen processors to cook themselves with too much power. It's likely that's a large reason why Intel is focusing on reining in power consumption with these processors. Only time will tell if trading better raw performance for better efficiency is going to be worth it - I'll have to get these chips in the lab to see how they perform. Stay tuned.

Intel Core Ultra 200S desktop processor debuts for AI PCs for enthusiasts

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More Intel launched the new Intel Core Ultra 200S series processor family that will scale AI PC capabilities to desktop platforms and usher in the first enthusiast desktop AI PCs. Led by the Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 285K, the latest generation of enthusiast desktop processors includes five unlocked desktop processors equipped with up to 8 next-gen Performance-cores (P-cores), the fastest cores available for desktop PCs1, and up to 16 next-gen Efficient-cores (E-cores) that altogether result in up to 14% more performance in multi-threaded workloads than the previous generation. The new family are the first neural processing unit (NPU)-enabled desktop processors for enthusiasts and come with a built-in Xe GPU with state-of-the-art media support. "The new Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors deliver on our goals to significantly cut power usage while retaining outstanding gaming performance and delivering leadership compute. The result is a cooler and quieter user experience elevated by new AI gaming and creation capabilities enabled by the NPU, and leadership media performance that leverages our growing graphics portfolio," said Robert Hallock, vice president and general manager of AI and Technical Marketing at the Client Computing Group at Intel, in a statement. Why it matters Thanks to the latest Intel core and efficiency innovations, Intel Core Ultra 200S desktop processors deliver a landmark reduction in power usage with up to 58% lower package power in everyday applications4 and up to 165W lower system power5 while gaming. The new processor family combines improved efficiency with improved performance, also delivering up to 6% faster single-threaded6 and up to 14% faster multi-threaded performance over the previous generation. With complete AI capabilities powered by the CPU, GPU and NPU, enthusiasts get the intelligent and powerful performance they need for content creation and gaming, all with a reduced energy footprint. By bringing the AI PC to enthusiasts for the first time, the Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors deliver up to 50% faster performance in AI-enabled creator applications against competing flagship processors. The newly available NPU enables offloading of AI functions. Examples include freeing up discrete GPUs to increase gaming frame rates, significantly reducing power usage in AI workloads, and enabling accessibility use cases such as face- and gesture-tracking in games while minimizing performance impact. Intel's 1st AI PC for enthusiasts With up to 36 platform TOPS, the new Intel Core Ultra 200S series processor is Intel's first and best desktop processor for AI PCs. The Complete Enthusiast Solution: Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors offer excellent performance in AI and content creation, and power an immersive gaming experience, with up to 28% gaming performance uplift compared to competing flagship processors. Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors' use the new Intel 800 Series chipset, extending platform compatibility with up to 24 PCIe 4.0 lanes, up to 8 SATA 3.0 ports, and up to 10 USB 3.2 ports, empowering enthusiasts to take advantage of the latest connectivity, storage, and other technologies. Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors also bring new overclocking functionality with fine-grain controls, with top turbo frequency in 16.6 MHz steps for P-cores and E-cores. A new memory controller supports fast, new XMP and CUDIMM DDR5 memory up to 48GB per DIMM for up to 192GB in total, and the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility now includes one-click overclocking enhancements. And Intel Core Ultra 200S processors come equipped with 20 CPU PCIe 5.0 lanes, 4 CPU PCIe 4.0 lanes, support for 2 integrated Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Intel Killer Wi-Fi delivers supercharged wireless performance and enables seamless, immersive online gameplay through application priority auto-detection, bandwidth analysis and management, and smart AP selection and switching. The machiens have multi-engine security. Intel Silicon Security Engine helps preserve data confidentiality and code integrity while maintaining high performance for demanding AI workloads. Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors will be available at retail online and in stores, and via OEM partner systems starting Oct. 24, 2024.

Intel Core Ultra 200S Series Desktop Chipsets With Dedicated NPU Launched

Intel claimed 28 percent better gaming performance compared to rivals Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors for desktop PCs, codenamed Arrow Lake, were launched by the company on Thursday. This is the first desktop offering by the chip maker with a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU). With 36 trillion operations per second (TOPS) performance claimed, these will also be the first Intel chipsets to power AI PCs. Apart from improved performance via the NPU, the company also stated that the CPU and GPU have also received significant upgrades. The Intel Core Ultra 200S processors will be available in retail and online stores as well as via OEM partner systems starting October 24. In a press release, the tech giant detailed the latest processors. The Intel Core Ultra 200S processor family is led by the Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 285K as well as five other desktop processors. All of these feature up to eight performance cores (P-cores) and up to 16 efficient cores (E-cores). The company claimed that the new PC architecture offers up to 6 percent faster single-threaded performance and 14 percent higher performance in multi-threaded workloads compared to the previous generation. The processors also sport a built-in Iris Xe GPU. Intel highlighted that the Arrow Lake processors are focused towards power efficiency, and offer up to 58 percent lower package power while running everyday apps and up to 165W lower consumption of system power during gaming. Coming to the NPU, the dedicated system offers hardware-accelerated AI capabilities. While the company did not reveal the architecture, it claimed that the processors offer up to 36 TOPS of performance. The chip maker also claimed that the Core Ultra 200S series can offer up to 50 percent faster performance in AI-enabled creator applications compared to competing processors. For connectivity, the Intel Core Ultra 200S series desktop processors offer compatibility with up to 24 PCIe 4.0 lanes, up to eight SATA 3.0 ports, and up to 10 USB 3.2 ports. Additionally, they also support two integrated Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3.

Intel's First AI PC Core Ultra Desktop Processors Use Way Less Power

Intel announced its new Intel Core Ultra 200S series processor family that promises to improve efficiency and power while ushering in a new generation of AI-powered desktop PCs. Headlined by the Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 285K, the new processor generation comprises five unlocked desktop processors equipped with up to eight next-gen performance cores (P-cores), the fastest cores available for desktop PCs, and up to 16 next-generation efficient cores (E-cores). These hardware advancements promise up to 14% more performance in multi-threaded workflows than the previous generation. "The new Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors deliver on our goals to significantly cut power usage while retaining outstanding gaming performance and delivering leadership compute. The result is a cooler and quieter user experience elevated by new AI gaming and creation capabilities enabled by the NPU, and leadership media performance that leverages our growing graphics portfolio," explains Robert Hallock, vice president and general manager of AI and Technical Marketing, Intel's Client Computing Group. These improvements, including a 6% bump in single-threaded performance, come with an up to 58% reduction in power consumption during typical everyday use and up to 165W less power demand during gaming, an incredibly intensive PC use case. With the growing number of applications that leverage artificial intelligence, the Intel Core Ultra 200S series delivers up to 50% faster performance thanks to more powerful CPU, GPU, and neutral processing units (NPU). The new NPU can offload AI tasks from the CPU and GPU, freeing them up for other tasks while reducing overall power demands across the system. Getting more into the weeds, the Intel Core Ultra 200S series supports up to 24 PCIe 4.0 lanes, up to eight SATA 3.0 ports, and up to 10 USB 3.2 ports. All Intel Core Ultra 200S processors come equipped with 20 CPU PCIe 5.0 lanes, four CPU PCIe 4.0 lanes, support for a pair of integrated Thunderbolt 4 ports, WiFi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. Further, the processors support new XMP and CUDIMM DDR5 memory up to 48GB per DIMM for up to 192GB of total memory. The Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors will be available at retailers and via OEM partners starting October 24, 2024. Prices range from $294 to $589.

Intel's Core Ultra 200 Series CPUs have a different hot spot, so you might need a new cooler

Intel has finally revealed its new Intel Core Ultra 200 Series desktop CPUs, with the new Arrow Lake architecture set to power the next generation of Intel systems and builds for the foreseeable future. A new generation of Intel CPUs also means a new generation of motherboards, with various Z890 models hitting the market - including several from MSI, like the new MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI. The Intel Core Ultra 200 series differs from previous generations because, like recent mobile Meteor Lake and Lunar Lake chips from the company, it incorporates a new design and layout that now includes a dedicated NPU for AI processing. Until now, running local AI off a CPU with a powerful NPU has been limited to mobile devices, so Arrow Lake marks a shift for desktop CPUs everywhere. As part of our recent tour of MSI's factory in Shenzhen, China, and seeing its new Intel boards up close, we learned one interesting fact about Intel's Core Ultra 200 Series - the new NPU design means the hotspot is changing. The cooling requirements are also changing, so you'd want to pair a Core Ultra CPU with the new MSI MPG CORELIQUID i360 or i240. The reason for this is simple: a change in hotspot location means that AIO cooler brackets designed to support existing chips with hotspots that haven't changed in a decade or longer won't be running efficiently. So, without a specific offset kit for an existing cooler or a new bracket design, as seen in the new MPG CORELIQUID cooler, Intel Core Ultra 200 series temperatures will be 2, 3, or 4 degrees higher than they should be. So yeah, in addition to the stylish "infinite mirror" design, redesigned pump, RGB lighting, and EZ Connect system for its fans, the new MPG CORELIQUID cooler for CPUs includes a UNI bracket that supports both Intel and AMD sockets, including the new Intel CPUs. The UNI Bracket presents the easiest solution for the new Intel CPUs because there is no need to switch out plates or make any adjustments. It takes into account the new hotspot and, right off the bat, delivers better cooling than pretty much any other AIO cooler without a specialized bracket. Another reason you'll want a new cooler or bracket for Intel's latest CPUs is that the load plate design, which is the metal cover you place over the CPU when installing it on a motherboard, has changed. It might only be a 2-degree difference in curvature, but this is enough to affect the efficiency of the attached cooler. MSI notes that the difference in temperature increases with higher wattage, so if you're thinking of picking up a new Intel Core Ultra 9 285K CPU sometime soon, you'll want to make sure your cooler is up to the task - or look for something new, like the MSI MPG CORELIQUID i360.