Intel has officially unveiled the Core Ultra 200S series desktop processors globally, introducing a new power-saving architecture while maintaining competitive performance levels.
Previously having submitted the fabrication order to TSMC for the mobile division’s Lunar Lake series processors, Team Blue is back again for its Arrow Lake orders. Despite “abandoning” its own foundry service in favor of the Taiwanese giant, this decision appears to be beneficial, as they continue to have the capacity to showcase the Core Ultra 200S family’s power efficiency goal over the previous “performance at any cost” approach.
As a result, users can expect significant reductions in power consumption for everyday applications, with a decrease of up to 58% in package power metrics. For gaming, the reduced wattage can reach up to 165W.
Intel also provided a reference point, noting that the multi-threaded performance of the Core i9-14900K can be matched with just half the power using the Core Ultra 9 285K.
Although these processors are designed for desktop platforms, they include an integrated GPU featuring four Xe2-LPG cores, along with an NPU capable of delivering 13 TOPS of performance. However, most users will likely opt for a discrete GPU, making power budget less of a concern. This setup is more suited for running AI applications on NVIDIA or AMD cards.
If supported by specific applications, users can leverage the NPU for AI-related functions, allowing the GPU to allocate more resources for smoother frame rates. However, practical effectiveness remains to be seen.
Here’s a quick overview of the five models scheduled for initial release.
Model | Cores / Max Boost Clock | GPU Cores | NPU Performance | Price |
Core Ultra 9 285K | 8P+16E / 5.7GHz | 4 | 13 TOPS | US$589 |
| Core Ultra 7 685K | 8P+12E / 5.5GHz | 4 | US$394 | |
Core Ultra 7 265KF | 8P+12E / 5.5GHz | N/A | US$379 | |
| Core Ultra 5 245K | 6P+8E / 5.2GHz | 4 | US$309 | |
Core Ultra 5 245KF | 6P+8E / 5.2GHz | N/A | US$294 |
When paired with the new 800 series chipset, these processors will provide access to additional PCIe 4.0 lanes, alongside PCIe 5.0, SATA 3.0 ports, USB 3.2 ports, faster XMP profiles, and CUDIMM DDR5 RAM support of up to 192GB. Users will also benefit from an updated Intel Extreme Tuning Utility, which includes one-click overclocking enhancements across various components.
Intel has also enhanced security with the Silicon Security Engine, which ensures data authentication, confidentiality, and code integrity at the hardware level. This feature is designed to coexist with AI workloads, ensuring that any private data used remains protected just like standard data.
Starting October 24, OEM partners will begin shipping systems equipped with Intel Core Ultra 200S processors, while standalone retail units will be available at DIY PC shops worldwide.
