Intel’s CPU lineups might get even more confusing
New leaks are giving us a better idea of all the Core 200 CPUs that are on the way in the near future, and it's not just Arrow Lake.
Lynk
Kunal Khullar / Digital Trends
Intel’s list of processors constantly grows, and its whole new naming scheme just got even more confusing. Today’s leaks imply that Intel might be working on another Raptor Lake refresh, this time under the Core 200 name. That’s right — just Core 200, without the Ultra. We also spotted some more budget-friendly, previously unheard-of Arrow Lake chips.
With Intel Arrow Lake right around the corner and Lunar Lake CPUs freshly out and available, Intel’s got a lot going on in the CPU department right now, and there’s more to come. Some non-Ultra Core 200 chips appeared in various Business Applications Performance Corporation (BAPCo) benchmarks, including the Core 7 250U, the Core 7 250H, and the Core 5 220H. There’s also the Core 7 Ultra 255H, which is likely an upcoming Arrow Lake-H CPU set to appear inside next-gen laptops.
But what are these non-Ultra CPUs? This is where things get even trickier.
Intel Core 7 250Uhttps://t.co/UgvNAXhzaD
— Everest (@Olrak29_) September 19, 2024
Many might guess that the Core 200-series CPUs are a Meteor Lake refresh. Meteor Lake was launched under the Core Ultra 100-series umbrella, so it kind of makes sense. However, as discovered by VideoCardz, the specs of the CPUs don’t line up with Meteor Lake chips, but rather with Raptor Lake. This would be an interesting choice, seeing as Intel has already given Raptor Lake CPUs a refresh, but that’s what might be happening here.
Refreshing last-gen CPUs is nothing new to Intel, but giving them a strikingly similar naming scheme to next-gen parts might be confusing for some consumers. It wouldn’t be unusual, though, as Intel’s Raptor Lake refresh followed the same pattern, with CPUs such as the Core 3 100U and the Core 5 120U.
Moving on to next-gen chips, CPU-Z just added support for several Arrow Lake processors that are aimed at more budget-conscious users: the Core Ultra 5 235, Core Ultra 5 225, and the Core Ultra 5 225F. The Core Ultra 5 235 is said to come with 14 cores, including six performance cores and eight efficiency cores, as well as a boost clock speed of 5GHz.
IntelThe two Core Ultra 5 225 CPUs are essentially the same chip, but the F model won’t have integrated graphics. As per VideoCardz, both are rumored to feature 10 ores (six P-cores and four E-cores) and a maximum clock speed of 4.9GHz. Unlike the initial Arrow Lake-S lineup, all three of these chips are said to feature a much lower thermal design power (TDP) of 65 watts (down from 125W).
Making sense of these names is increasingly harder, but this is the reality that both laptop and desktop users will just have to get used to. Until Intel itself confirms any of the above, we can’t even be sure all of these chips will make it to market. Intel is expected to announce Arrow Lake-S CPUs on October 10, but even that is yet to be confirmed at this point.
Monica is a UK-based freelance writer and self-proclaimed geek. A firm believer in the "PC building is just like expensive…
Intel ‘disgustingly’ rejected some faulty CPU returns, YouTuber says
Intel has finally broken its silence on the instability issues plaguing 13th-gen and 14th-gen CPUs over the last few months, but it seems we've only gotten a half answer to the problem. Gamer's Nexus posted a video breaking down what the YouTube channel called "Intel's biggest fuckup" to date and showcasing how the problem goes beyond the reasoning Intel shared this week.
If you're not up to speed, Intel posted a message on its forums pinning blame for instability on improper voltage requests within the CPU microcode. Basically, the processor was getting improper power, leading to instability and degradation within the CPU. That's not the only problem with 13th-gen and 14th-gen CPUs, however. Some CPUs are impacted by a manufacturing defect that isn't fixable with a microcode update, and Intel didn't address that in its public statement.
Intel responds to reported laptop CPU instability problems
Update: Intel has provided Digital Trends with the following statement about CPU instability affecting mobile processors:
"Intel is aware of a small number of instability reports on Intel Core 13th/14th Gen mobile processors. Based on our in-depth analysis of the reported Intel Core 13th/14th Gen desktop processor instability issues, Intel has determined that mobile products are not exposed to the same issue. The symptoms being reported on 13th/14th Gen mobile systems – including system hangs and crashes – are common symptoms stemming from a broad range of potential software and hardware issues. As always, if users are experiencing issues with their Intel-powered laptops we encourage them to reach out to the system manufacturer for further assistance."
Is your Intel CPU crashing? Here’s how to RMA an Intel CPU
If your Intel CPU is acting up, rest easy -- it's not just you. In fact, the owners of some of Intel's best processors have been going through a rough time lately -- and that even includes game developers. The Core i9-14900K and the Core i9-13900K have been crashing for months now, and even though Intel has been quiet on the matter, you may be able to get your CPU replaced if it's an ongoing problem.
Whether you own a recent Intel CPU or an older model is performing poorly, you can turn to a process called return merchandise authorization (RMA) to try to return the defective processor. Here's how to RMA your Intel CPU.
Start with the retailer
