Intel has introduced the Core Ultra 200S Series for desktop CPUs. This series is different from the past Core processors. It has a new name and a special CPU design.
The top model, the Core Ultra 9 285K, has 24 cores and 24 threads. It can boost up to 5.7GHz and has a 250W TDP. But, it doesn’t have hyperthreading and has a special AI unit. This could be good or bad for gaming.
Key Takeaways
- The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K CPU offers a significant increase in core count and clock speeds compared to previous-generation Core processors.
- The multi-tile design and new core architecture bring both performance improvements and potential challenges for PC gaming.
- The removal of hyperthreading and the addition of a dedicated NPU could have mixed impacts on gaming performance, depending on the game and workload.
- Consumers will need to carefully evaluate the tradeoffs between the Core Ultra 9 285K’s gaming performance and its suitability for AI-focused workloads.
- Intel’s new CPU lineup represents a shift in the company’s strategy, aiming to address the growing demand for both gaming and AI-driven applications.
Intel Unveils Core Ultra 200S Series: A New CPU Branding
Intel has changed its name from 15th Gen Core to Core Ultra 200S. This new series has five chips. The top chip, Core Ultra 9 285K, is for high-end users.
The mid-range is the Core Ultra 7 265K. The entry-level is the Core Ultra 5 245K. These Intel Core Ultra 200S Series CPUs use a special design. They mix Lion Cove P-cores with Skymont E-cores.
Understanding the Core Ultra 200S Series Lineup
The Core Ultra 200S Series has many CPU choices. The Core Ultra 9 285K has 24 cores and can go up to 5.7GHz. The Core Ultra 7 265K and Core Ultra 5 245K have fewer cores but more cache and speed.
Key Specifications and Pricing of Core Ultra 200S CPUs
The prices of the Core Ultra 200S Series are similar to before. The Core Ultra 9 285K costs $589. The Core Ultra 7 265K and Core Ultra 5 245K are $394 and $309, respectively. This gives many choices for buyers.
“The new Intel Core Ultra 200S Series processors will spread a combined 36 TOPS performance across the CPU, NPU, and iGPU, offering a balance of power and efficiency for a wide range of users.”
The Multi-Tile Approach: Intel’s Innovative Design
Intel has a new idea with the Core Ultra 200S Series. It uses a multi-tile design like the mobile Meteor Lake and Lunar Lake processors. Intel’s Foveros technology helps connect the tiles. This makes the package smaller, improves quality, and gives more design options.
Tile Composition and Manufacturing Partners
But Intel doesn’t make these chips alone. The Compute tile is made by TSMC with N3B process. The IO tile uses TSMC’s N6 technology. Working together, Intel gets help from its partners to make the Core Ultra 200S Series better.
| Tile | Manufacturer | Process Node |
|---|---|---|
| Compute Tile | TSMC | N3B |
| IO Tile | TSMC | N6 |
Foveros technology lets Intel stack the tiles. This makes the package smaller and more efficient. It also makes the Core Ultra 200S Series processors work better and use less power.
Intel is making big steps in CPU design with a multi-tile architecture. Working with TSMC, Intel is creating a more versatile and advanced computing platform for the Core Ultra 200S Series.
Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K CPU is one step forward, one step back for PC gaming
Intel’s new CPU, the Core Ultra 9 285K, is a mixed bag for gamers. It has 24 cores and a high boost clock, showing great potential. But, it lacks hyperthreading and has a weaker NPU than Intel’s mobile chips, which might slow down games.
The CPU’s 250W TDP is a big worry. It could lead to high power use and heat issues. In a test, it used 254 watts, while the 14900K used 267 watts for the same task.
| Benchmark | Ultra 9 285K Performance | 14900K Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Cinebench 2024 (Multithread) | 15% better | – |
| Cinebench 2024 (Single-thread) | 7% better | – |
| Geekbench 6 (Multithread) | 8% better | – |
| Geekbench 6 (Single-thread) | 2% better | – |
| Gaming (Shadow of the Tomb Raider) | 8% worse | – |
| Gaming (Cyberpunk 2077) | 9% worse | – |
| Gaming (Forza Motorsport 2023) | 20% worse | – |
The Core Ultra 9 285K does well in some tasks but falls short in gaming. It’s up to 20% slower than the 14900K in some games. AMD’s Ryzen 9 7950X3D might be a better choice for gamers, as it beats the Ultra 9 285K in games.
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is a mixed bag for PC fans. It has great specs and does well in some tasks. But, it uses a lot of power and isn’t as good in games as older chips. This might make some gamers look for other options.
Advancements in Lion Cove P-Cores and Skymont E-Cores
The new Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor has big improvements. It uses the Lion Cove P-cores and Skymont E-cores. These cores make the CPU work better than before.
Removing Hyperthreading: A Double-Edged Sword
The Core Ultra 9 285K doesn’t have hyperthreading anymore. This change might affect some tasks that need more threads. But, Intel says the Lion Cove P-cores can still offer great performance.
Improved Cache Performance and Efficiency
Intel made the L2 cache bigger for the P-cores by 50%. They also worked on making the CPU cache better. These changes help the CPU work well for games and work tasks.
| Specification | Core Ultra 9 285K | Core i9-14900K |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Cores | 8 P-cores, 16 E-cores | 8 P-cores, 8 E-cores |
| Boost Clock Speed | Up to 5.7 GHz | Up to 5.8 GHz |
| L2 Cache | 16 MB | 12 MB |
| L3 Cache | 36 MB | 30 MB |
| TDP | 125W | 125W |
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K has new P-cores and E-cores. It also has better cache. This makes it a good choice for games and work.
Dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI Workloads
Intel has made a big change. They added a special neural processing unit (NPU) to their desktop Core Ultra 200S Series CPUs. This includes the top model, Core Ultra 9 285K. The NPU comes from mobile Meteor Lake CPUs and can do 13 trillion operations per second.
This move is a big step for AI in PCs. But, the NPU’s power is less than the 120 TOPS in Intel’s Lunar Lake laptop chips. This makes some wonder if it’s enough for AI tasks on desktops.
The NPU in the Core Ultra 9 285K shows Intel’s effort to meet AI needs. Yet, for serious AI tasks, discrete GPUs are still the best. The NPU’s power might not meet the needs of those who want the latest AI tech in their desktops.
| Metric | Intel Core Ultra 9 285K | Intel Lunar Lake Laptop NPU |
|---|---|---|
| NPU Performance | 13 TOPS | 120 TOPS |
| AI Workload Suitability | Moderate | High |
| Desktop Integration | Yes | No |
The NPU in the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is a good start. But, we’ll see how well it works for AI on desktops. As AI becomes more important in PCs, Intel will need to improve the Core Ultra series to stand out.
Enhanced Integrated Graphics: Borrowed from Meteor Lake
The Intel Core Ultra 200S Series has better graphics thanks to Meteor Lake. This means better graphics for desktops. It might even cut down on the need for separate graphics cards.
The Core Ultra 200S Series graphics are from Meteor Lake. They offer a big jump in graphics power. This is great for everyday tasks, some gaming, and making content.
But, these graphics won’t beat the best high-end GPUs. They’re for those who want good graphics but don’t need the top level. They aim to be powerful yet versatile.
The Meteor Lake GPU in the Intel Core Ultra 200S Series is a big step. It makes Intel’s desktops better for more users. It’s not just for gamers anymore.
Conclusion
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is a mixed bag for PC gamers. It has great specs and a new core design. But, it lacks hyperthreading and has a weaker NPU than Intel’s mobile chips.
This could slow down gaming. The CPU also uses a lot of power and gets very hot. This makes it hard to use on a desktop.
The world is moving towards AI and saving power. It’s unclear if Intel’s new desktop chips, like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K review, will meet these needs. The Core Ultra 9 285K does well in multi-core tasks but falls short in single-core tasks.
This might affect gaming for some users. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is a step up for Intel’s desktop CPUs. But, it’s important to weigh its power use, gaming, and AI abilities.
PC fans and builders need to think carefully about these points. As desktop CPUs evolve, Intel must find the right balance. This will decide if the Core Ultra 200S series succeeds in the long run.