What you need to know
- Intel Core Ultra 200S Series desktop processors will launch with 5 SKUs ranging from an entry-level 14-core Ultra 5 245K/KF to the flagship 24-core Ultra 9 285K.
- Intel’s “top priority” for its generational move from Raptor Lake-R (Refresh) to Arrow Lake is improving performance-per-watt power efficiency.
- Upcoming Arrow Lake H and HX mobile processors target enthusiasts with the same packaging and architecture, and vPro versions are “planned.”
As an analyst with over two decades of experience in the tech industry, I have seen my fair share of processor launches and upgrades. However, the announcement of Intel’s Core Ultra 200S Series chips has caught my attention for several reasons.
Intel has officially unveiled its long-awaited Core Ultra 200S series processors, previously referred to as Arrow Lake. These are the first Intel hardware processors equipped with AI capabilities, featuring an integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) with a speed of 13 Tera Operations per Second (TOPS). This NPU is an upgrade from its previous-generation Meteor Lake mobile processors, but falls short of the 45 TOPS NPU found in the upcoming Lunar Lake chips, also part of the new Core Ultra Series 2 range.
It’s a slightly confusing generational crossover since Core Ultra 100 never hit desktops, but Intel is sticking with the Series 2 moniker for its new Arrow Lake-S processors. Core Ultra 200S Series chips feature a similarly “intense focus” on being the “most efficient family of x86 processors ever” as their codenamed Lunar Lake mobile counterparts, with an impressive promise of “up to 30% lower power” than the previous 14th Gen Core desktop range while delivering comparable or better performance in gaming, and that comes with a bonus effect of cooler package temperatures and a slightly higher TjMax limit of 105°C.
What’s new in Arrow Lake?
Intel undoubtedly wants the majority of consumer attention on its power efficiency improvements. Still, a handful of critical changes come with the launch of Core Ultra 200S desktop processors. Arrow Lake-S is Intel’s first disaggregated desktop processor using the same Foveros 3D packaging as Meteor Lake, including a modified version of its NPU 3 tile. It kickstarts a new era of desktop-oriented AI PCs for Intel, catching up to the offerings from AMD’s previous-gen, Ryzen AI 8000G Series chips.
AI offers an unprecedented chance for revolutionizing personal computers, just as Wi-Fi did when it was initially integrated into laptops.
The new 13 TOPS NPU, in addition to its standard AI processing duties, will also impact power management by making instant, intelligent adjustments. Intel’s Thread Director determines which cores from the Arrow Lake chipset – specifically the Lion Cove Performance or Skymont Efficiency cores – should be assigned. Intel anticipates shipping over 40 million AI-equipped PCs by year-end, a significantly larger scale compared to AMD and Qualcomm combined, which they proudly refer to as “an unprecedented level of AI PC production.
With regards to the apparent low TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second) count, it’s important to note that this figure is less than Microsoft’s requirement of over 40 TOPS for Copilot+. However, Intel VP Robert Hallock clarified that a higher TOPS count would necessitate sacrifices in core counts on the CPU and GPU tiles, as well as other compromises that would contradict the aim of appealing to enthusiast creators and gamers. Hallock deemed 13 TOPS as “more than sufficient” to manage contemporary AI workloads effectively.
In the Arrow Lake Core Ultra K processors, Intel is transferring its Xe-LPG architecture from Meteor Lake technology, called Xe-LP, which will be available on their integrated graphics tiles. This architecture still employs DP4a instructions instead of the Xe Matrix eXtensions (XMX) engines found in Lunar Lake’s Xe2 tile. However, it offers a strong alternative for video encoding and decoding within systems equipped with a dedicated graphics card, as it supports Sony’s latest 4K/8K XAVC codec natively.
From my perspective as an analyst, I can share that in the realm of mobile enthusiasts, Arrow Lake H and HX chips boast similar power efficiency enhancements and IPC (Instructions per Clock) improvements. These chips will also incorporate Intel’s NPU 3 tile and a boost to the Xe2 GPU seen in Lunar Lake. Notably, Wi-Fi 7 is set to be integrated into portable devices, though Thunderbolt 4 will continue to serve as the standard. Regarding potential Intel vPro versions of Arrow Lake devices, Intel Vice President Roger Chandler provided a positive and somewhat vague confirmation, hinting at several announcements slated for next year.
A new LGA1851 socket for Z890 motherboards
Core Ultra 200S processors bring a new LGA1851 motherboard socket and Intel 800 chipset, a crucial consideration for PC gamers who build custom desktop rigs and even those considering upgrading to a new machine, whether pre-built or sourced from a third party. If you’re moving from an LGA1700 socket processor from Intel’s 12th, 13th, or 14th Gen Core desktop range, you’ll need an entirely new motherboard to use an Arrow Lake-S equivalent like the flagship Core Ultra 9 285K.
On a positive note, Chandler mentioned that current CPU coolers, including traditional air-cooling and AIO (all-in-one) liquid versions designed for LGA1700 sockets, will likely be compatible once manufacturers provide additional mounting hardware. This extra hardware ensures the necessary pressure is applied to the IHS (Integrated Heat Spreader), facilitating efficient heat transfer from the SoC hotspots.
Depending on the manufacturer you buy from, your motherboard might feature Wi-Fi 7 connectivity and Thunderbolt 5 ports, but Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6E are included as standard if not. Intel’s 800 Series chipset also includes 48x PCIe lanes, with 20x supporting the new PCIe 5.0 standard and 24x at PCIe 4.0. Finally, enhancements to granular overclocking controls and Intel’s Killer Wi-Fi management suits promise absolute control to gamers looking to tweak every aspect of their Arrow Lake-S machine.
As soon as I obtain the Core Ultra 200S samples, I will test its performance with the latest processor and chipset combo – keep an eye out for updates!
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2024-10-10 18:09