Tag: Intel

  • Intel Unveils Project Firefly: Low-Cost Metal Laptops with Smartphone RAM

    Intel Unveils Project Firefly: Low-Cost Metal Laptops with Smartphone RAM

    Key Takeaway

    – Intel’s “Project Firefly” leverages the smartphone supply chain to create low-cost laptops.
    – Wildcat Lake processors (e.g., Core 5 320) use 2P+4E cores with a small but modern iGPU.
    – Cheap chips alone aren’t enough; Intel provides reference designs for fast, affordable manufacturing.
    – Reference laptops feature thin metal chassis (12.9mm), USB-C/USB-A/HDMI, and cost-reduced cooling.
    – Smartphone-origin memory and components are repurposed to further lower costs.

    We already reported in mid-May that Intel wants to utilize the infrastructure of the smartphone supply chain with “Project Firefly” to produce particularly affordable laptops based on the new Wildcat Lake processors, which are intended to compete with the Apple MacBook Neo ($589 on Amazon).

    Project Firefly’s Core Hardware

    In the video embedded below, Nish Neelalojanan, Senior Director of Client Products at Intel, explains some of the background to the project. According to him, Intel Wildcat Lake with chips such as the Intel Core 5 320 would be at the heart of the project, because with two performance cores and four efficiency cores, the chips should offer fast everyday performance, while the iGPU with two Xe3 cores is very small, but the modern GPU architecture should ensure that video streaming works flawlessly on all platforms.

    Why The Supply Chain Matterss

    Nish Neelalojanan emphasizes that a cheap processor alone is not enough to make good entry-level laptops. This is where Project Firefly comes into play. Intel has been working with smartphone factories in China to develop reference laptops that make it easier for laptop manufacturers to assemble the components selected by Intel and bring new laptops with Wildcat Lake to market quickly and cheaply. The already very mature smartphone supply chain should be able to produce these components relatively cheaply and supply them to the respective laptop manufacturers.

    Reference Design & Cost Saving Measures

    Around 19:30 minutes into the video, Intel shows one of these reference designs. Despite its low price, the 12.9 millimeter thin notebook offers a modern, colorful metal chassis and a practical port selection with two USB-C, USB-A and HDMI. To reduce costs, Intel has developed a new cooling system with a particularly thin copper heatpipe and even a new, cheaper cable to connect the ports to the mainboard. Wildcat Lake can be combined with memory chips that were originally intended for smartphones.

    Intel Technology (YouTube), via VideoCardz


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  • Intel Wildcat Lake Refresh doubles low-cost laptop cores

    Intel Wildcat Lake Refresh doubles low-cost laptop cores

    Key Takeaway

    – Wildcat Lake Refresh will feature up to 4 performance cores and 4 low-power cores, a significant upgrade from the current 2+4 configuration.
    – The fastest Wildcat Lake Refresh processor is expected to outperform the Apple A18 Pro in the MacBook Neo.
    – Despite the performance boost, the iGPU remains limited to 2 Xe3 cores, making the chips unsuitable for gaming.
    – Laptops using current Wildcat Lake processors, like the Dell XPS 13, are lighter than the MacBook Neo with comparable performance.
    – Intel Wildcat Lake Refresh is scheduled for launch in 2027.

    Affordable Laptops Get a Second Wind

    After the Apple MacBook Neo ($589 on Amazon) made inexpensive laptops with only 8 GB of RAM socially acceptable again, Intel is offering a processor series with Wildcat Lake, which is intended for similarly inexpensive laptops. Models such as the Dell XPS 13 already show that Wildcat Lake can be used to create laptops that are significantly lighter than the MacBook Neo, but still offer comparable performance and significantly better features in some areas, such as the choice of ports or the display’s frame rate.

    Intel’s Wildcat Lake Refresh Is on the Horizon

    According to the latest information from the usually extremely well-informed leaker @jaykihn0, Intel is already developing a new edition of these low-cost laptop processors. Wildcat Lake Refresh is set to be significantly more powerful. Because while the Intel Core 7 350 only offers two performance cores with boost clock speeds of up to 4.8 GHz and four low-power cores with clock speeds of up to 3.6 GHz, Wildcat Lake Refresh is said to offer a maximum of four performance cores and four low-power cores.

    Performance and Graphics Outlook

    If this information is correct, the fastest Intel Wildcat Lake Refresh processor should outperform the Apple A18 Pro in the MacBook Neo, while more expensive chips such as the Apple M5 or the Qualcomm Snapdragon X are likely to remain well ahead of Intel’s low-cost laptop processors. The graphics chip is also unlikely to change much, as Intel will continue to use an iGPU with two Xe3 cores, making the chips unsuitable for gaming. Intel Wildcat Lake Refresh is expected to launch in 2027.

    • Dell XPS 13 already shows lighter design potential
    • Wildcat Lake Refresh: up to 4 performance cores and 4 low-power cores
    • iGPU remains at two Xe3 cores, gaming not a focus
    • Expected launch year: 2027
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  • Intel Lunar Lake dominates battery life: ThinkPad T14 Gen 7 vs Gen 6

    Key Takeaway

    – Panther Lake laptops are now available, not just announced.
    – Panther Lake is more efficient than Arrow Lake, but less efficient than Lunar Lake.
    – Lunar Lake remains Intel’s most efficient laptop CPU for battery life.
    – The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 7 (Panther Lake) achieved over 18 hours in a Wi-Fi test.
    – The T14 Gen 7 couldn’t beat the older T14 Gen 6 (Lunar Lake), which ran over 19 hours with a smaller battery.

    New Intel Panther Lake Laptops Hit Shelves

    Back when Intel announced their 2026 Panther Lake CPU platform for laptops, there was one simple promise: Same efficiency as the older Lunar Lake series, but with a better performance. Lunar Lake was, thus far, Intel’s most efficient laptop CPU, although limited in performance. Everyone was eager to see if this would hold up in real world usage.

    Testing The Promises

    With more and more Panther Lake laptops coming to the market, and being actually available now, we are able to test this promise against reality. Indeed, Panther Lake does appear to be more efficient than the older Arrow Lake CPU series, but it appears Lunar Lake is still the CPU to beat when it comes to battery life. The newer chip just cant quite match the power sipping nature of its predecessor.

    Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 7 Review

    We recently reviewed the new Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 7. This Lenovo ThinkPad business laptop is powered by Panther Lake. In the case of our review unit, we were able to test the basic version with eight cores and an Intel Core Ultra 5 325, a comparable chip to Lunar Lake. In our testing, the system did well, as it achieved just over 18 hours in the Wi-Fi/websurfing test, at 150 cd/m² screen brightness. This is definately a strong result for a modern ultabook.

    However, it could not quite beat its predecessor. The older Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 6 Intel with Lunar Lake ran over 19 hours in the same test – with a smaller 57 Wh battery to boot, as Lenovo uses a bigger 60 Wh battery in the T14 G7. That means the older machine got more runtime even with less battery capacity wich is a pretty impressive feat.

    Final Verdict on Efficiency

    The bottom line is: Panther Lake does well when it comes to battery life, easily beating the AMD variant of the T14 Gen 6 – but even its smaller variants can not quite match the efficiency of Lunar Lake. For those who prioritise maximum runtime, the previous generation still seems to be the better choice. Detailed specifications and pricing for the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 7 include an Intel Core Ultra 5 325 processor, 8 cores, and a 60 Wh battery.

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    • New Asus Mini-PCs: Intel Wildcat Lake, 64GB RAM, Thunderbolt 4

      New Asus Mini-PCs: Intel Wildcat Lake, 64GB RAM, Thunderbolt 4

      Key Takeaway

      – Asus expands NUC 16 series with new entry-level Wildcat Lake processors (Core 3 304, Core 5 320, Core 7 350).
      – Supports up to 64 GB DDR5-6400 RAM and 2 TB PCIe Gen 4 storage.
      – Available as complete mini-PC or self-assembled motherboard kit.
      – Features Bluetooth 6.0, Thunderbolt 4, and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity (except motherboard-only version).
      – Pricing and availability are currently unannounced.

      Asus have expanded the NUC 16 series with a series of new entry-level models. For context, the company unveiled the NUC 16 Pro in January during CES 2026, featuring Intel Pantuh Lake processors. While the mini-PC is available with the Core Ultra X7 358H and Core Ultra X9 388H, Asus also sells it with the less powerful Core Ultra 5 325 (curr. $599 on Amazon).

      New Wildcat Lake Options Announced

      Now, it has updated the series with Wildcat Lake options. Specifically, Asus plans to sell the NUC 16 with up to the Core 7 350. A 6-core processor, the Core 7 350 will be joined by lesser Core 3 304 and Core 5 320 variants too. According to Asus, these processors can be complemented with up to 64 GB of DDR5-6400 RAM and 2 TB of PCIe Gen 4 storage.

      Form Factor and Connectivity Details

      Moreover, the NUC 16 will be available as a complete mini-PC, a self-assembled kit of just the motherboard itself. All variants contain the same ports, though. Likewise, the complement mini-PC and kit measure 144 x 117 x 42 mm. All but the motherboard version will ship with Bluetooth 6.0, Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity too.

      Pricing and Availability Still Unknown

      Unfortunately, pricing and availability remain unknown for now. Have a look at the images below and Asus’ website for more details if you want find out more information about these devices.


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    • Dell Launches Wildcat Lake Laptops Globally: Up to 48GB RAM, 120Hz

      Dell Launches Wildcat Lake Laptops Globally: Up to 48GB RAM, 120Hz

      Key Takeaway

      – Dell released new Pro 5 Series laptops with cheaper Wildcat Lake processors, complementing existing Panther Lake models.
      – Wildcat Lake variants lack LPCAMM2 RAM but offer 60 Hz OLED and 120 Hz IPS display options.
      – Pricing in Europe starts under €1,700; no Wildcat Lake models are available in North America yet.
      – The Pro 3 Series is cheaper, starting at €1,276/£1,137/$1,579, with up to 48 GB RAM, 2 TB storage, Wi-Fi 7, and 70 Wh battery options.

      Dell joins the Wildcat Lake party with four new laptops

      Dell has joined the Wildcat Lake party with the release of four new laptops powered by Intel’s Core Series 3 architecture. To recap, the company unveiled Pro 3 Series and Pro 5 Series laptops in March. Earlier this month, it began selling the Pro 5 Series 14 (P514260) and Pro 5 Series 16 (P516260) with Panther Lake processors to replace older Pro models.

      Cheaper alternatives with Wildcat Lake

      Now, Dell has added to these Panther Lake models with cheaper Wildcat Lake alternatives. While this is true in markets like Europe, Dell has not started selling Core 5 320, Core 5 330, Core 7 350 or Core 7 360 versions of the Pro 5 Series 14 or Pro 5 Series 16 in North America. For reference, these Wildcat Lake variants miss out on the LPCAMM2 RAM that Dell sells with Panther Lake variants.

      Display and pricing details

      Meanwhile, Wildcat Lake versions of the Pro 5 Series can be configured with 60 Hz OLED and 120 Hz IPS displays. Currently, pricing starts at under €1,700 in the Eurozone and £1,500 in the UK. By contrast, Pro 3 Series laptops are cheaper still. At the time of writing, Dell charges €1,276, £1,137 and $1,579 for a 14-inch variant. In comparison, the Pro 3 Series 16 retails for €1,310, £1,166 and $1,569.

      • The Pro 3 Series can be configured with up to 48 GB of RAM and 2 TB of storage like the Pro 5 Series though
      • It also supports Wi-Fi 7 connectivity
      • Battery options include 45 Wh, 57 Wh or 70 Wh batteries

      Further model variations

      Please see the links below for more details on each laptop. Dell Pro 3 Series 14 – Germany, UK & US. Dell Pro 3 Series 16 – Germany, UK & US. Dell Pro 5 Series 14 – Germany & UK. Dell Pro 5 Series 16 – Germany & UK. They have not annouced a US release date for these Wildcat Lake versions yet, which is dissapointing for many consumers waiting for a budget option.


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    • Intel Desktop & Laptop CPU Roadmap: 2nd-Gen Unified Cores Revival

      Intel Desktop & Laptop CPU Roadmap: 2nd-Gen Unified Cores Revival

      Key Takeaway

      – Intel plans a multi-architecture rollout: Nova Lake (desktop/mobile) → Razer Lake (laptop/desktop) → Titan Lake (mobile-only) → Hammer Lake (major refresh with Hyperthreading return).
      – Razer Lake will rebadge Nova Lake for non-HX/high-end desktop variants, but high-end laptop/desktop RZL-S will use new Griffin Cove P-cores; Razer Lake-AX will be a renamed Nova Lake-AX with a 32 EU Xe3P iGPU.
      – Hammer Lake is the return of Hyperthreading and introduces Thunder Hawk unified cores (big P-cores and small E-cores) with a focus on platform longevity and broad Desktop/Laptop support.

      Leaker Moore’s Law Is Dead is known for dropping information-dense reports about Intel’s future desktop and mobile CPU architectures.

      This time, MLID has shared another massive leak revolving around the Intel Nova Lake-AX/Razer Lake-AX, Titan Lake, and Hammer Lake CPUs. Intel is reportedly planning to bring back a feature that it axed on the Arrow Lake and Panther Lake CPUs. The content reads as speculative gossip, yet it keeps readers hooked with a sense of impending hardware evolution.

      Speculative timelines and rebadging hints

      While the specs for architectures that are years away should be taken with a giant grain of salt, such leaks help us determine the direction that Intel might take with its future processors. So, they are always quite exciting to go through. Following the launch of the Intel Nova Lake desktop CPUs, possibly in late 2026, Intel will allegedly release the Razer Lake CPUs for both laptops and desktops in 2027. MLID claims that low-end and mid-range Razer Lake mobile and desktop CPUs will just be rebadged Nova Lake parts with the same Coyote Cove P-cores and Arctic Wolf E-cores.

      High-end distinctions and core changes

      However, for the mobile “HX” and high-end/flagship desktop RZL-S CPUs, Intel will utilize the new Griffin Cove P-cores, keeping the Arctic Wolf E-cores unchanged. Finally, MLID reports that Intel has renamed Nova Lake-AX, which is the company’s AMD Halo APU competitor, to Razer Lake-AX. The part has not been canceled and will be released with Coyote Cove P-cores, Arctic Wolf E-cores, and a 32 Execution Unit Xe3P iGPU.

      Titan Lake and mobile-only trajectory

      After Razer Lake, Intel reportedly plans to put the Titan Lake CPUs on the market in 2028. However, unlike Razer Lake, Titan Lake is a purely mobile CPU architecture. There will seemingly be no Titan Lake CPUs for desktops. We have been hearing about Intel’s partnership with Nvidia, and it looks like Titan Lake Halo CPUs will use large Nvidia iGPUs. These Halo products will rely on Razer Lake CPU dies with the same P and E cores.

      Copper Shark cores and unified design

      For the low-end U, P, and PX series Titan Lake laptop processors, Titan Lake chips will rely on Copper Shark CPU cores. These Copper Shark CPU cores are expected to be Intel’s first-gen “Unified Cores,” as Intel will use the same Copper Shark IP for big P and small E-cores. The strategy mirrors AMD’s Zen X and Zen Xc core designs, where the Zen Xc cores are essentially the same as the big Zen X cores but slimmed down.

      Hammer Lake: a return to multithreading

      MLID reports that Hammer Lake is Intel’s next major architecture refresh for both desktops and laptops after Razer Lake. More importantly, Hammer Lake is where Intel is seemingly bringing back Simultaneous Multithreading or Hyperthreading. This is a feature that Intel ditched starting with the mobile Lunar Lake processors. The upcoming Nova Lake desktop CPUs will also lack Hyperthreading.

      Thunder Hawk cores and platform longevity

      Furthermore, the Hammer Lake CPUs will reportedly feature the 2nd-gen Unified Cores titled Thunder Hawk. Intel will use these Thunder Hawk cores for both the big P and small E-cores, but MLID suggests that most Hammer Lake CPUs will rely exclusively on big P-cores. Finally, Intel might finally give Team Blue customers a taste of the platform longevity that AMD customers have enjoyed for a while now. MLID suggests that Nova Lake, Razer Lake, and Hammer Lake all share the same desktop socket design.

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    • Apple A21 SoC May Replace TSMC with Intel or Samsung, Boosting Fate

      Apple A21 SoC May Replace TSMC with Intel or Samsung, Boosting Fate

      Key Takeaway

      1. Apple is in early-stage talks with Intel and Samsung to potentially produce its next-generation processors, diversifying from its primary partner, TSMC.
      2. Intel and Samsung are advancing their 2 nm and 18A process nodes, with Intel aiming to attract external customers, including Apple.
      3. Intel’s upcoming 18A-P node offers improved performance and efficiency, and may produce Apple’s A-series SoCs for future iPhones as early as 2027.
      4. Apple’s mobile chips might be divided between TSMC for higher-end models and Intel/Samsung for standard models, depending on production capabilities.

      Rumors About Apple and Foundry Collaborations

      Across the tech world, there has been lot of buzz about Apple testing out the process nodes from Intel Foundry for their upcoming iPhone and MacBook chips. Recently, Bloomberg has confirmed that Apple have been having “exploratory” talks with both Intel and Samsung about developing Apple silicon together. Though these discussions are still in early stages, some experts like Mark Gurman believe there is no immediate plans, but it shows Intel and Samsung are trying to catch up with TSMC which have been leading lately.

      Current Progress in Chip Manufacturing

      Both Samsung and Intel are now producing chips on their latest advanced nodes, 2 nm SF2 for Samsung and Intel’s 18A for Intel, showing real progress. Their focus is also on attracting external customers, which is very important especially for Intel. The company’s CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, is trying to revive Intel by securing outside clients for its advanced manufacturing process. This strategy is key to making Intel regain some competitive edge in the global chip market.

      Implications for Apple and Future Chips

      With the news that Apple considers adding Intel and Samsung as secondary suppliers to TSMC, it seems Intel’s efforts are headed in a good direction. Reports suggest Intel has improved yields on its 2 nm and 18A nodes, and the upcoming 18A-P version is expected to be even better. The 18A-P offers a 9% boost in performance or similar performance at 18% reduced power, aiming to be a significant upgrade.

      Potential Production Plans for Apple

      There are rumors that Intel might start manufacturing Apple’s M-series SoCs on the 18A-P node by 2027, starting with lower-end Macbook Air models. However, instead of M-series, the chips Apple might send to Intel for manufacturing could be the A-series, designed for their 20th-anniversary iPhones.

      Possible Hardware Divisions Between Foundries

      Sources on X speculate that Intel or Samsung could produce the upcoming Apple A21 SoC, which might power the 2027’s 20th-anniversary iPhones. Currently, the iPhone 18 and 18 Pro will feature A20 and A20 Pro chips, so the A21 could be used for the next big milestone.

      Strategic Manufacturing Arrangements

      All this suggests Apple might split mobile chip production—using TSMC for the high-end models like the Pro versions, while Intel and Samsung could supply for the standard models. The success of this plan will depend on whether Intel and Samsung can deliver the needed performance, efficiency, and affordability that Apple demands.

      Uncertainty and Future Outlook

      Of course, no one can be totally sure about Apple’s exact plans, so it’s best to take these rumors with a bit of skepticism. Apple’s manufacturing decisions remain secretive, and these developments are still in the rumor stage, so we should wait for official announcements to truly understand what’s coming next.

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    • First Look at Wildcat Lake Intel-Powered Reference Laptop Experience

      First Look at Wildcat Lake Intel-Powered Reference Laptop Experience

      Key Takeaway

      1. Intel’s Wildcat Lake CPUs are designed for thin-and-light laptops, offering lower power and performance compared to Panther Lake, with weaker iGPU and fewer cores.
      2. A recent Wildcat Lake laptop features a dual-core P-processor, 4 LPE cores, a 17W PL1 limit, and integrated security with a 17 TOPS NPU.
      3. The laptop’s design resembles a MacBook, is likely fanless, and supports even minimal cooling, indicating suitability for portable, low-power devices.

      Introduction to Wildcat Lake CPUs

      Intel has quietly introduced a fresh lineup of laptop processors named Wildcat Lake, which are quite similar to Panther Lake chips but without the ‘Ultra’ branding. These new CPUs are designed mainly for lightweight, slim laptops, so they feature weaker integrated graphics, fewer cores, and more modest power limits. Basically, they’re targeted at users who prefer portability over raw performance. Recently, a Wildcat Lake-based device was seen at an Intel event, giving us a sneak peek into what to expect from these chips.

      Details of the Featured Laptop

      The machine spotted was an Intel reference model with a sleek aluminium body plus a keyboard that looks pretty much like a MacBook’s. Inside, there’s an intriguing Intel processor with a configuration of two Cougar Cove P-cores and four Darkmont LPE-cores. Its power settings include a PL1 of 17 Watts, which can peak at 22 Watts, and a PL2 of 35 Watts. For fanless designs, it’s limited to a TDP of 11 Watts, and an Intel rep said it can work even without active cooling — making it perfect for ultra-slim devices or silent operation.

      Technical specs and possible models

      Other key features of this device include a 17 TOPS Neural Processing Unit (NPU), an integrated 2-EU iGPU, and 16 GB of soldered RAM, probably running at around 7467 MT/s. While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact SKU due to the CPU core configuration, the presence of the 17 TOPS NPU suggests it could be one of the Core 7 models, like the Core 7 360 or Core 7 350. Both models are known to include this NPU, which adds some serious AI processing capabilities.

      Performance and Testing

      As of now, no performance benchmarks or detailed tests have been done on this particular device. We’ll keep an eye out and update you as soon as more information and tests become available. Meanwhile, this glimpse into Wildcat Lake chips indicates Intel’s ongoing strategy to cater to users who want lightweight but capable laptops—balancing power efficiency with enough juice for daily tasks.


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      • German Retailer Reports Record-Low CPU Sales as Consumer Demand Drops

        German Retailer Reports Record-Low CPU Sales as Consumer Demand Drops

        Key Takeaway

        1. Desktop CPU sales have hit a record low, largely due to increased component prices discouraging upgrades.
        2. AMD maintains a dominant market share (~89%) in CPU sales, despite overall declining sales, while Intel’s newer releases have limited impact.
        3. Consumers continue purchasing older, more affordable CPUs like the Ryzen 7 5700X and Ryzen 5 5500, often paired with cheaper DDR4 RAM.
        4. The overall DIY PC market is experiencing significant downturn, reflected in the lowest CPU sales volume and declining GPU sales.

        Market Trends in the DIY PC Segment

        Currently, the self-assembled PC market is facing quite some challenges, as the rising prices of parts have made many buyers think twice before purchasing. According to data from a German retailer, Mindfactory, during week 13 of 2026, the sales of desktop CPUs has reached an all-time low, reflecting the shrinking demand.

        Consumer Behavior & Price Impact

        People are not willing to upgrade their computers anymore, especially since the prices for CPUs, similar to GPUs and RAM, have been climbing lately. This means that users who would’ve usually swapped out for newer faster parts, along with better memory, are now hesitant and might just hang on to their current setups longer.

        AMD’s Market Share and New Releases

        Looking at the sales data, AMD still holds a significant chunk of the CPU market with about 89.09% of units sold in that period, leaving Intel far behind at 10.91%. Intel recently introduced the Core Ultra 200S Plus Arrow Lake Refresh series, which are quite promising. For example, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, priced at around $200, offers excellent performance both for gaming and everyday use.

        Future Prospects and Market Outlook

        It will be quite intriguing to see if Intel’s new affordable CPUs, like the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and Core Ultra 9 270K Plus, can change the market dynamics in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, retail prices for RAM have been dropping, which may encourage some buyers to consider upgrading again.

        Longer Lifespan for Older CPUs

        Despite the slowing down of newer AMD processors, many consumers continue to purchase older models, such as the Ryzen 7 5700X and Ryzen 5 5500. These are much cheaper than the latest Zen 5 chips and are compatible with less costly DDR4 memory, making them attractive choices for budget builds.

        Intel’s Popular Options & Market Composition

        During week 13, Intel’s top-selling CPU was the Core Ultra 7 265K, with only 10 units sold. The “KF” version, initially costing about $380, is now accessible at around $249. This is the only Arrow Lake processor listed; most other Intel sales are from older 12th-gen Core i5 and i3 models, plus some of the newer 14th-gen Core i5, i7, and i9 SKUs.

        Overall Market Status

        In summary, AMD maintains a strong hold on CPU sales through platforms like Mindfactory, but the overall number of CPUs sold is at an unprecedented low. This trend aligns with decreasing GPU sales, highlighting how difficult the DIY PC market is currently, affecting both major players and consumers alike.

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      • Intel Discontinues Core Ultra 9 290K Plus Just Before Launch

        Intel Discontinues Core Ultra 9 290K Plus Just Before Launch

        Key Takeaways

        1. Intel has officially canceled the release of the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus, focusing instead on the Core Ultra 200S Plus series.
        2. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and Core Ultra 5 250K Plus processors already meet Intel’s goals for performance and value, eliminating the need for a new flagship model.
        3. The cancellation follows updates to Intel’s roadmap, indicating that the decision was made after considerable development progress, including circulated engineering samples.
        4. Concerns about overlapping product lines contributed to the cancellation, as the 290K Plus would be too similar to existing models like the Core Ultra 9 285K and Core Ultra 7 270K Plus.
        5. The Core Ultra 9 285K remains Intel’s top desktop chip, with no new flagship expected until the next-generation Nova Lake-S platform is introduced.

        Intel has made it clear that the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus will not be released, putting an end to the rumors and leaks that have circulated for months about this new flagship Arrow Lake Refresh SKU. The company informed PC Games Hardware that it is focusing on models that appeal to a broader audience within the Core Ultra 200S Plus series.

        Performance and Value Goals

        Florian Maislinger, the Tech Communication Manager at Intel Germany, stated that the recently launched Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and Core Ultra 5 250K Plus processors already fulfill the company’s objectives for performance and value. Thus, Intel believes a new flagship SKU is not needed at this time.

        Intel is thrilled to provide great value with their Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus series processors. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus are designed to offer impressive gaming performance and remarkable value when compared to other competitors. Our goal was to enhance performance for the desktop SKUs that are widely accessible. Therefore, the company has decided not to release a U9 290K Plus SKU. — Florian Maislinger, Tech Communication Manager, Intel Germany.

        The Road Ahead for Intel

        This cancellation comes after earlier updates to their roadmap shared with partners, where the 290K Plus was subtly removed from the plans. However, this statement serves as the first public acknowledgment from Intel regarding the decision.

        The Core Ultra 9 290K Plus had been seen in leaks and even benchmark listings, implying that the development was fairly advanced. Reports suggest that engineering samples were being circulated both internally and externally, which indicates that the decision to cancel was made later in the process.

        Overlapping Product Lines

        The cancellation might also relate to product overlap concerns. The 290K Plus was believed to have a 24-core configuration, which would be quite similar to the existing Core Ultra 9 285K and Core Ultra 7 270K Plus. This proximity left Intel with little motivation to add another model to the mix. According to PC Games Hardware, the 270K Plus can already compete with or even outperform the 285K in certain tests, thanks to various software and hardware optimizations, which lessens the necessity for a new flagship model.

        For the time being, the Core Ultra 9 285K continues to be Intel’s leading desktop chip, while the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus occupies the next tier down in the updated Arrow Lake family. It is anticipated that Intel will not unveil a new flagship desktop processor for LGA 1851 until the next-generation Nova Lake-S platform is introduced.

        PC Games Hardware

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