Intel’s Next Move in the Desktop CPU Race
The relentless cycle of processor innovation continues, with Intel already preparing its response to its own recently launched chips. The first details of an “Arrow Lake Refresh” have emerged, starting with a leaked processor named the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus. This suggests Intel is planning a refreshed lineup of desktop CPUs, potentially arriving as early as the first quarter of next year.
This strategy of a quick refresh allows Intel to fine-tune its product stack, offering better value or slightly adjusted specifications to stay competitive. The leak, which includes a Geekbench test result, provides our first glimpse into what these “Plus” models might bring to the table for PC builders and enthusiasts.
The Mystery of the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus
The naming itself is intriguing. The “Plus” suffix indicates an enhanced version over the standard model. Initially, rumors suggested the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus would be a refresh of the Core Ultra 7 265K, meaning it would have 20 cores (8 Performance-cores + 12 Efficiency-cores).
However, the leaked Geekbench data tells a different story. The benchmark entry lists the CPU as having 8 Performance-cores and 16 Efficiency-cores, for a total of 24 cores. This core configuration is identical to the current flagship, the Core Ultra 9 285K. This creates a fascinating mystery: Is the leak misreading the hardware, or is Intel planning to offer a 24-core chip at a lower “Core Ultra 7” price point?
Performance and Potential Platform Upgrades
In terms of clock speeds, the leak shows a base clock of 3.7 GHz and a boost clock of up to 5.5 GHz. When put to the test in Geekbench 6, the processor scored 3,215 points in single-core performance and 22,720 points in multi-core performance. These results are nearly identical to those of the more expensive Core Ultra 9 285K, further fueling speculation that this could be a down-clocked but core-rich version of the flagship chip.
Beyond the CPU itself, the leak also hints at a welcome platform improvement. The test system’s memory was running at 7200 MT/s, suggesting that Intel’s official memory support speed for the refresh could see a bump from the current standard, allowing for better out-of-the-box performance with modern DDR5 kits.
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What This Means for Consumers
If these rumors hold, the Arrow Lake Refresh, led by models like the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, represents a strategic move by Intel. By potentially offering more cores in a lower-tier product, Intel could put significant pressure on its competitors and offer consumers more performance for their money.
While we await official confirmation from Intel on specs, pricing, and release dates, this leak signals that the desktop CPU market is set to remain highly competitive. For anyone planning a build in early 2025, it might be worth waiting to see how these “Plus” models officially stack up.
Source: geekbench