Intel Core Ultra 200S CPUs Launched: Brings On-Device AI to Desktops
Oct. 11, 2024From 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.
Intel Core Ultra 200S Specifications
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 vanillaIntel Core Ultra 5 245KFto the top-of-the-lineCore 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’sno hyper-threadinganymore. So, the performance cores feature a single thread just like the efficiency cores. With that, here’s a quick rundown of the processors’ specifications:Intel Core Ultra 200S CPUCoresThreadsMax Boost FrequencyIntel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K24 (8 P-Cores, 16 E-Cores)24Up to 5.7GHzIntel Core Ultra 7 Processor 265K20 (8 P-Cores, 12 E-Cores)20Up to 5.5GHzIntel Core Ultra 7 Processor 265KF20 (8 P-Cores, 12 E-Cores)20Up to 5.5GHzIntel Core Ultra 5 Processor 245K14 (6 P-Cores, 8 E-Cores)14Up to 5.2GHzIntel Core Ultra 5 Processor 245KF14 (6 P-Cores, 8 E-Cores)14Up to 5.2GHz
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 a58% power draw reductionin regular applications. In addition, Intel also claims that these processors requireup to 165W lower system power when gaming.
All Core Ultra 200S variants offer a maximumMaximum 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 deliver6% faster single-threadedand14% faster multi-threadedperformance. 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 to13 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 onOctober 24. Pricingstarts at $294for 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!
Sagnik is a tech aficionado who can never say “no” to dipping his toes into unknown waters of tech or reviewing the latest gadgets. He is also a hardcore gamer, having played everything from Snake Xenzia to Dead Space Remake.
