Intel Arrow Lake launched, brings AI chipsets for gaming: Release date, specs, pricing

Intel Core Ultra 200S series is set to be launched on October 24.

In Short

• Intel's Core Ultra 200S series promises substantial reductions in power draw
• Intel upgrades memory support with its Core Ultra 200S series
• It is designed to handle advanced AI functions

Intel finally found a way to tackle excessive heating and power consumption issues on its desktop CPUs. The company has announced a new flagship chip -- the Core Ultra 200S series. The new launch focuses on enhanced performance per watt for cooler and more efficient operation. The upcoming flagship chip is a successor to 14th Gen chips, codenamed Arrow Lake S. According to Intel, it is the first enthusiast desktop CPUs with integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which enhances overall processing and supports AI capabilities.

Intel Arrow Lake: Release date

Intel Core Ultra 200S series is set to be launched on October 24. Intel's Core Ultra 200S series boasts up to 8 Performance-cores and 16 Efficient-cores, yielding 14 per cent higher multi-threaded performance than its predecessor. This upgrade also significantly reduces power consumption, offering enhanced efficiency and performance. Let's deep dive into its specs and features.

Key specs and features

Intel's Arrow Lake architecture marks a significant shift towards power efficiency, addressing the high power consumption of its 13th and 14th Gen Core CPUs. The new Core Ultra 200S series promises substantial reductions in power draw, slashing it by half during basic desktop tasks and significantly decreasing wattage during gaming. This improved efficiency aims to close the power consumption gap with AMD equivalents, offering users a more energy-friendly and sustainable computing experience.

The new Core Ultra 200S series from Intel introduces Neural Processing Units (NPUs) to desktop processors, significantly enhancing AI capabilities for more intelligent computing. These processors offer up to 50 per cent faster AI performance in content creation applications compared to leading competitors, effectively managing intensive AI tasks without sacrificing gaming or daily usage. Each processor features an integrated Xe GPU, boosting graphics performance and media support, making them ideal for both gamers and creators.

Intel upgrades memory support with its Core Ultra 200S series and Z890 motherboards, supporting DDR5-6400 speeds, 48GB DIMMs, and 192GB total capacity. DDR4 compatibility has been phased out for the 800 series. These processors also boast Secure Core certification and incorporate triple hardware engines for enhanced security features.

Additionally, the series boasts improved overclocking capabilities, allowing users to adjust turbo frequencies in increments of 16.6 MHz for precise control. The new Intel 800 Series chipset, which is compatible with the Core Ultra 200S processors, features enhanced connectivity options, including 24 PCIe 4.0 lanes, up to 8 SATA 3.0 ports, and up to 10 USB 3.2 ports. Support for Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 ensures that users benefit from cutting-edge connectivity alongside high-performance processing capabilities.

Intel Arrow Lake: Pricing

Intel’s new Core Ultra 200S processors will begin shipping on October 24. The lineup includes the flagship Core Ultra 9 285K priced at $589 (approximately Rs 49,000), the Core Ultra 7 265K at $394 (around Rs 32,500), and the Core Ultra 5 245K at $309 (approximately Rs 25,500).

Additionally, Intel will offer KF variants: the Ultra 7 265KF for $379 (approximately Rs 31,000) and the Ultra 5 245KF for $294 (around Rs 24,000), which do not include a built-in GPU.