Tag: Intel Core Ultra 200S

  • Intel Cuts Prices by $100 on Core Ultra 200S Desktop CPUs

    Intel Cuts Prices by $100 on Core Ultra 200S Desktop CPUs

    Key Takeaways

    1. Intel introduced the Core Ultra 200S series of desktop processors, but gaming performance did not meet expectations.
    2. Price reductions were announced for two models: Core Ultra 7 265K now at $299 (down from $399) and Core Ultra 7 265KF at $284 (down from $384).
    3. The Core Ultra 7 265K features 20 cores, speeds up to 5.5 GHz, 36 MB L2 cache, and a maximum turbo power of 250W.
    4. The main difference between the Core Ultra 7 265K and 265KF is that the KF model lacks an integrated GPU, making it cheaper.
    5. The new pricing is part of the Spring Bundle sale, which includes games with eligible CPU purchases.

    Intel introduced the Core Ultra 200S series of desktop processors in October last year, but the response was somewhat underwhelming. The performance, particularly in gaming, did not meet expectations. However, Intel has been working to enhance the performance through BIOS updates and overclocking profiles that won’t void the warranty. Recently, the company has reduced prices on two models in the Core Ultra 200S lineup, making them a more appealing choice for customers.

    Price Reductions Announced

    Intel shared the news through its blog, revealing that the Core Ultra 7 265K, which was originally priced at $399, is now available for $299. In addition, the Core Ultra 7 265KF, previously priced at $384, will now be offered at $284. This marks a significant reduction for both models, although it’s unclear whether Intel plans to add more SKUs to the discounted list in the future.

    Specifications of Core Ultra 7 265K

    The Core Ultra 7 265K features a total of 20 cores, comprising eight Performance cores and 12 Efficient cores. It can reach speeds of up to 5.5 GHz right out of the box and has a base clock speed of 3.3 GHz. Additionally, it includes 36 MB of L2 cache and can handle a maximum turbo power of 250W. This CPU supports various advanced Intel technologies, such as Deep Learning Boost, Turbo Boost Max 3.0, Speed Shift, and more. It also has an integrated GPU with four Xe cores.

    Differences Between Models

    The primary distinction between the Core Ultra 7 265K and the Core Ultra 7 265KF is the integrated GPU; the KF model does not have one, which accounts for its lower price.

    The new pricing also coincides with the Spring Bundle sale, offering games like Dying Light: The Beast and Sid Meier’s Civilization VII included with the purchase of an eligible CPU.

    Source:
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  • Intel Core Ultra 200S Performance Issues Linked to PPM Package

    Intel Core Ultra 200S Performance Issues Linked to PPM Package

    Intel has disclosed the findings from its inquiry into the performance issues that arose during the launch of its Core Ultra 200S (Arrow Lake-S) processors in October. A total of five distinct problems impacted the performance of the platform. So far, Intel has resolved four of these issues, and the remaining one is expected to be fixed by January 2025.

    Key Findings from the Investigation

    The investigation commenced on October 26, revealing a significant issue: a missing Performance & Power Management (PPM) package. This absence led to unpredictable behavior, where CPUs failed to schedule tasks properly, performance fluctuated when cores were turned off, and memory latency occasionally surged to twice its normal level. Intel estimates that this single issue resulted in a performance reduction ranging from 6 percent to 30 percent, depending on the specific tasks being performed.

    Additional Issues Identified

    Another problem stemmed from the Intel Application Performance Optimizer (APO), which failed to function correctly due to the missing PPM package. As a result, the anticipated improvements in gaming performance were not realized, leading to declines between 2 percent and 14 percent. Furthermore, systems experienced crashes when users attempted to launch games that utilized Easy Anti-Cheat, a problem linked to compatibility issues with Windows 11 24H2.

    The review units also exhibited inconsistencies in the BIOS setup. Important features such as PCIe Resizable BAR, compute tile ring frequency, and memory controller ratios were not uniformly configured, contributing to an additional performance drop of around 2 percent to 14 percent, contingent on the application and BIOS configurations.

    Steps Toward Resolution

    Intel has already addressed the majority of these issues. The problems with the PPM and APO were resolved in Windows 11 build 26100.2161 (KB5044384). Epic Games has introduced a new driver for Easy Anti-Cheat, and updated BIOS versions for Intel Z890-based motherboards have also been rolled out.

    The final component that needs attention is a performance optimization package, which will require firmware updates and is slated for release in January 2025. These updates will contain Intel microcode version 0x114 and Intel CSME Firmware Kit 19.0.0.1854v2.2 or newer. Once these updates are applied, gamers should see slight but useful performance improvements across several titles.

    Intel intends to provide a comprehensive performance report at CES 2025, including detailed benchmarks and comparative analyses. Additionally, the company has put in place new protocols to help prevent similar issues from arising in the future.

    Source: Link

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  • Core Ultra 7 265K Beats Ryzen 9 9950X, Outperforms i7-14700K

    Core Ultra 7 265K Beats Ryzen 9 9950X, Outperforms i7-14700K

    Reviews for the Intel Core Ultra 200S “Arrow Lake” CPUs is set to be released on October 24th. However, even before the reviews are officially published, details about the performance of the Core Ultra 200S chips have been leaking consistently. For example, it seems that the top-tier Core Ultra 9 285K will probably not surpass the performance of the Core i9-14900K in gaming scenarios.

    New Benchmark Findings

    Adding to the collection of Arrow Lake information, there’s a new benchmark result for the Core Ultra 7 265K. Recently, Intel’s 20-core Core Ultra 7 265K was listed on the SiSoftware website, showing performance that outshines the Ryzen 9 9950X.

    The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K scored an average of 841.50 GOPS in the “Processor Arithmetic” test from SiSoftware. This score is approximately 2% higher than the Ryzen 9 9950X’s score of 828.40, 4.4% quicker than the Core i9-14900KS, and 6.2% faster than the Zen 4 Ryzen 9 7950X.

    Performance Comparison

    When comparing it with the previous generation Core i7-14700K, the Core Ultra 7 265K shows a considerable improvement of 29%. This is quite fascinating since both CPUs have the same number of cores, but the Core Ultra 7 265K has only 20 threads compared to the 28 threads in the Core i7-14700K (Available on Amazon).

    In other words, Intel seems to have fulfilled its promise of a greater than 15% boost in multithreaded performance from generation to generation, and the absence of hyperthreading does not appear to hinder the performance of the Core Ultra 200 Arrow Lake-S CPUs.

    Marketing Strategy Insights

    Thanks to a leaked slide, it’s evident that the Core Ultra 9 285K will lag behind the Zen 5 CPUs in gaming, a trend that might persist until Panther Lake debuts next year. So, what’s Intel’s game plan for promoting the Arrow Lake CPUs to buyers?

    In their launch communication, Intel mainly promotes the Core Ultra 200 CPUs as superior productivity chips that consume 50% less power than their 14th-generation counterparts and operate cooler. The company is also heavily emphasizing the “AI” aspect, claiming a doubling of throughput.

    Overall, gamers seeking the highest performance may find this Intel generation disappointing. However, for others, the Arrow Lake chips could prove to be solid options.

    Buy the Intel Core i9-14900K on Amazon

    @momomo_us on X, SiSoftware, Teaser image: Intel, Aditya Doula on Unsplash, edited

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  • ASRock Z890 Taichi: Arrow Lake K-Series RAM Hits 9066 MHz

    ASRock Z890 Taichi: Arrow Lake K-Series RAM Hits 9066 MHz

    Uniko’s Hardware has uncovered some intriguing information regarding the RAM compatibility on ASRock’s Z890 Taichi motherboard, particularly when used with Intel’s forthcoming Core Ultra 200S (Arrow Lake) processors. There seems to be a clear distinction in the memory speeds that various models of the Arrow Lake CPUs can support.

    RAM Speed Differences

    As per the findings, the Z890 Taichi motherboard presents something rather peculiar: the K-series Arrow Lake processors can achieve RAM speeds of up to 9066 MHz, while the non-K versions are limited to a maximum of 7200 MHz.

    Performance Impact

    Generally, faster RAM speeds don’t deliver huge performance enhancements. They typically provide only a minor improvement in aspects like minimum frames per second (FPS) or one percent lows when gaming, and they won’t significantly impact typical desktop activities or video editing tasks.

    Integrated GPU Considerations

    One area where enhanced RAM could prove beneficial is in boosting the performance of the integrated GPU (iGPU). Therefore, if you intend to utilize the iGPU on Arrow Lake, investing in a high-speed RAM kit might offer you an advantage. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain how well the integrated graphics will perform for gaming until we receive comprehensive reviews of the Arrow Lake processors.

    While the difference in RAM speeds may not appeal to everyone, it’s unlikely to deter most users. Using a non-K Arrow Lake CPU with a Z890 motherboard is relatively rare, as Z-series motherboards are generally selected for their overclocking potential and are mostly used with K-series processors.

    TomsHardware (in English) via @unikoshardware (in English)

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