Intel has introduced the Core Ultra 200S series processor family, featuring up to eight performance cores and 16 efficiency cores, with improved multi-threaded performance and AI capabilities. The processors offer reduced power consumption, up to 58% lower package power, and 165W lower system power while gaming. They also feature a neural processing unit (NPU) enabling AI functions, face- and gesture-tracking, and up to 36 platform TOPS. The processors support PCIe 5.0, Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, and will be available starting October 24, 2024.
Intel has introduced its new Core Ultra 200S series processor family, designed to bring AI PC capabilities to desktop platforms. The series, headlined by the Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 285K, includes five unlocked desktop processors featuring up to eight next-generation performance cores (P-cores) and up to 16 efficiency cores (E-cores). There are four iGPU Xe2-LPG cores. These processors offer improved multi-threaded performance compared to the previous generation and are the first NPU-enabled desktop processors for enthusiasts.
Lunar Lake was the first high-end Intel processor built at foundry rival TSMC’s fab. Arrow Lake is the second.
The Core Ultra 200S series processors aim to significantly reduce power usage, while maintaining gaming performance and delivering strong compute capabilities. This, says the company, results in a cooler and quieter user experience, enhanced by new AI gaming and creation capabilities enabled by the neural processing unit (NPU) and improved media performance leveraging Intel’s growing graphics portfolio.
One of the key achievements of this new processor family is the substantial reduction in power consumption. Intel claims the Core Ultra 200S desktop processors can achieve up to 58% lower package power in everyday applications and up to 165W lower system power while gaming. This improved efficiency is coupled with performance enhancements, delivering faster single-threaded and multi-threaded performance than the previous generation.
Intel says these processors can deliver the same level of performance at half the power consumption of the 14900K in sustained multi-threaded workloads.
Including AI capabilities powered by the CPU, GPU, and NPU, enthusiasts are provided with the intelligent and powerful performance needed for content creation and gaming, all while reducing energy consumption. Intel says the Core Ultra 200S series processors offer up to 50% faster performance in AI-enabled creator applications than competing flagship processors. The newly available NPU enables offloading of AI functions, freeing up discrete GPUs to increase gaming frame rates, significantly reducing power usage in AI workloads, and enabling accessibility features such as face- and gesture-tracking in games with minimal performance impact.
Claiming up to 36 platform TOPS, the new Intel Core Ultra 200S series processor is positioned as Intel’s first and most capable desktop processor for AI PCs. These processors aim to deliver excellent performance in AI and content creation, while powering immersive gaming experiences.
The new Intel 800 series chipset accompanying these processors extends platform compatibility with additional PCIe 4.0 lanes, SATA 3.0 ports, and USB 3.2 ports.
Overclocking capabilities have been enhanced with new functionality and fine-grain controls. The processors support fast, new XMP and CUDIMM DDR5 memory up to 48GB per DIMM for up to 192GB. The Intel Extreme Tuning Utility now includes one-click overclocking enhancements for easier performance tuning.
Tests show consistent performance across different power levels (250W, 175W, 125W) in popular games, suggesting good potential for undervolting without significant performance loss.
These improvements in power efficiency are described as “one of the largest power reductions Intel has seen in quite some time,” indicating a significant focus on addressing the high power consumption of recent generations. However, it’s worth noting that these efficiency gains may come with some trade-offs in peak performance for certain tasks, particularly in gaming, where the new chips may not always outperform their predecessors.
In terms of connectivity, the Core Ultra 200S processors come equipped with PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 lanes, support for integrated Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. Intel Killer Wi-Fi is included to deliver enhanced wireless performance through features like application priority auto-detection and bandwidth management.
Security features are also a focus, with the Intel Silicon Security Engine helping to preserve data confidentiality and code integrity, while maintaining high performance for demanding AI workloads.
The Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors are scheduled to be available at retail outlets and via OEM partner systems starting October 24, 2024. This launch represents Intel’s push to bring AI capabilities to desktop enthusiasts, while addressing power efficiency concerns and maintaining strong performance across various computing tasks.