Intel has unveiled a new line of desktop and laptop processors, codenamed Arrow Lake, which are set to replace the Raptor Lake Refresh chips. Despite facing challenges in recent generations, particularly against AMD’s AM5 platform with Zen 4 and Zen 5 processors, Intel is making strides with Arrow Lake. The new processors promise up to a 30% reduction in power consumption compared to Intel’s 14th-gen chips, while offering around a 10% performance boost for multi-threaded workloads. Graphics capabilities have also doubled compared to Raptor Lake Refresh. Although Intel initially emphasized AI features, it has shifted focus to highlight gaming performance improvements as well.
The Arrow Lake desktop lineup is led by the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, featuring 24 cores (8 performance and 16 efficiency cores), 24 threads, 4 GPU cores, and a maximum boost speed of 5.7 GHz. This model aims for greater power efficiency with a 250W thermal design power (TDP), compared to the more power-hungry Intel Core i9-14900K. Other models in the lineup include the Intel Core Ultra 7 and Ultra 5 series, all of which feature a neural processing unit (NPU) for AI tasks. Intel promises power savings of up to 58% and continues to lead in single-core performance.
Intel’s official testing showed significant power savings, especially in gaming, where the Core Ultra 9 285K used 165W less than the 14900K while maintaining similar performance. The Core Ultra 5 series is positioned for gamers, while the Core Ultra 7 and 9 cater to enthusiasts and users needing higher productivity.
Price Chart:
| CPU | Cores | Threads | Speed | TDP | GPU (Cores) | NPU (TOPS) | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core Ultra 9 285K | 8P + 16E | 24 | 5.7 GHz | 250W | 4 | 13 | $589 |
| Intel Core Ultra 7 265K | 8P + 12E | 20 | 5.5 GHz | 250W | 4 | 13 | $394 |
| Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF | 8P + 12E | 20 | 5.5 GHz | 250W | - | 13 | $379 |
| Intel Core Ultra 5 245K | 6P + 8E | 14 | 5.2 GHz | 159W | 4 | 13 | $309 |
| Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF | 6P + 8E | 14 | 5.2 GHz | 159W | - | 13 | $294 |
Intel introduced substantial upgrades with Arrow Lake, moving beyond just a refresh. New Lion Cove P-cores and Skymont E-cores are designed for improved efficiency, aided by AI-based power management and re-architected cores. These changes enable better workload management and significant power savings. The platform also includes the 800-series chipset, supporting up to 48 PCIe lanes, Thunderbolt 4 and 5, Wi-Fi 6E and 7, and enhanced overclocking features. Arrow Lake processors support DDR5-6400 memory, with improvements to integrated graphics delivering up to twice the performance of previous generations.
Intel is fast-tracking Arrow Lake to market, with desktop chips available for pre-order on October 24. Mobile chips from the Core Ultra H and HX series will follow in early 2025.