Intel Launches New Desktop and Mobile Processors, Including Core Ultra 200S Plus Series and Core Series 3 Chips

Intel's Latest Chip Blitz: New Desktop, Mobile, and Budget Processors Land This Spring

Intel has refreshed its processor lineup with a trio of new series, targeting desktop enthusiasts, mobile power users, and budget-conscious builders. The new desktop chips are slated for retail availability on March 26.

Desktop Processors: Core Ultra 200S "Plus" Series

Intel’s new desktop lineup, the Core Ultra 200S Plus ("Arrow Lake Refresh"), focuses on refined performance and improved connectivity. The series launches with two key models, with a potential flagship apparently canceled.

Intel has launched the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. While a higher-tier Core Ultra 9 290K Plus appeared in Geekbench 6 databases with impressive scores (a 13-17% improvement over the Core Ultra 9 285K), reports suggest this chip may have been canceled.

Key Models & Specifications:

• Both chips feature 24 threads and have no hyper-threading. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has a TDP of 125W.
• KF Variants: Versions without integrated graphics (KF) are also expected at launch.
• Platform Compatibility: These processors fit existing Intel LGA 1851 socket and 800-series chipset motherboards, though a BIOS update may be recommended.

Intel has implemented several architectural improvements for the Arrow Lake Refresh, including:

• Faster Interconnects: The die-to-die interconnect clock speed has been boosted from 2.1 GHz to 3.0 GHz, reducing latency and increasing bandwidth.
• Improved Fabric: The fabric interconnect for the SoC tile has also been increased from 2.6 GHz to 3.0 GHz.
• Memory Support: The memory controller now officially supports DDR5 memory at 7,200 MHz (up from 6,400 MHz). The chips also support CUDIMM modules up to 128 GB.
• Intel Binary Optimization Tool (iBot): This new tool analyzes software code to run it using more optimized instructions. Intel states it will receive driver updates to expand support for additional software.

Intel has provided benchmarks comparing the new processors to their predecessors and competing AMD CPUs. Note that these results are published by Intel.

Core Ultra 7 270K Plus Performance:

Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Performance:

Independent testing shows the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has higher power consumption than other Arrow Lake processors but is more efficient than the Intel Core i9-14900K. AMD’s competing chips generally consume less power. Operating temperatures, while slightly higher than direct peers, were notably lower than the Core i9-14900K, reaching 86°C under peak turbo power (250W) with a 360mm water cooler. A liquid cooling solution or robust air cooler is recommended.

Mobile Processors: The Core Ultra 7 251HX

Intel has added the Core Ultra 7 251HX to its Arrow Lake-HX mobile lineup for high-performance laptops.

Specifications:

Leaked Benchmark (Cinebench R23):
A leaked benchmark for the 251HX showed a multi-threaded score of nearly 30,000 points, comparable to the 24-core Core i9-14900HX. More impressively, it achieved similar performance at much lower power levels: 20,000 points at 50W and 25,000 points at 70W, while the 14900HX required significantly more power for those scores.

Budget Line: Core Series 3 (Made in the USA)

Intel has also released a new line of budget-oriented processors, the Core Series 3. These chips are manufactured at Intel’s U.S. fabs in Hillsboro and Chandler using the advanced 18A process node (2nm-class).

Key Details:

• Architecture: Most models feature up to six CPU cores (two 'Cougar Cove' P-cores, four 'Darkmont' E-cores) and up to 2 Xe3 graphics cores.
• NPU: The Neural Processing Unit (NPU) delivers between 15 and 17 INT8 TOPS. Intel states the combined platform can deliver up to 40 platform TOPS, though not simultaneously.
• Memory & I/O: Support for up to 48 GB of LPDDR5 7467 MT/s memory or 64 GB of DDR5 6400 (single channel), plus two Thunderbolt 4 ports, WiFi 7, and Bluetooth 6.
• Performance Claim: Intel claims the 15W Core 7 360 model delivers 47% higher single-threaded and 41% higher multi-core performance compared to 11th-generation Tiger Lake processors in Cinebench 2024.
• Availability: The chips will be featured in over 70 partner system designs.

Future Outlook: Nova Lake

Intel has indicated an intention to reclaim a leadership position in gaming CPU performance with its forthcoming "Nova Lake" architecture. The company is reportedly developing a CPU architecture with a big last-level cache (bLLC) that could directly compete with AMD's 3D V-cache technology. The Nova Lake series is anticipated to be Intel's next major architectural step.

Availability

• Desktop: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and Core Ultra 5 250K Plus are scheduled for retail release on March 26.
• Mobile: New laptops equipped with Core Ultra HX processors are expected from OEMs including Asus, Acer, MSI, Alienware, Lenovo, HP, and Razer. Specific launch dates have not been announced.
• Budget: Systems featuring the Intel Core Series 3 processors began becoming available immediately.