Intel at CES 2025: New Chip Lineup Revealed

Intel Unveils New Chip Lineup at CES 2025

Following a challenging year, marked as its worst since becoming a public company in 1971, Intel is presenting a new range of chips at CES 2025. These processors are intended to revitalize the company’s standing in the market.

This product announcement represents Intel’s most significant launch since the departure of CEO Pat Gelsinger, mandated by the board of directors. The pressure to succeed is further amplified by previous issues. Recent 13th- and 14th-generation Core CPUs experienced overheating problems that required nearly a year to fully address.

New Core Processor Series

The latest processors within Intel’s Core portfolio cater to diverse needs, ranging from the Core 3 for basic computing tasks to the more powerful Core Ultra 200H. This forms part of Intel’s updated Core Ultra Series 2.

The complete list of newly announced chips, with some revealed previously late last year, includes:

• Core Ultra 200V series processors (previously Lunar Lake)
• Core Ultra 200H series processors (previously Arrow Lake H)
• Core Ultra 200HX series processors (previously Arrow Lake HX)
• Core Ultra 200S series processors (previously Arrow Lake S)
• Core Ultra 200U series processors (previously Arrow Lake U)
• Core 200S series processors (previously Bartlett Lake S)
• Core 200H series processors (previously Raptor Lake H Refresh)
• Core 100U series processors (previously Raptor Lake U Refresh)
• Core 3 processor and Intel Processor (previously Twin Lake)

Each of Intel’s new Core Ultra processors is offered in configurations with power requirements of 35 watts, 65 watts, and 125 watts. Core counts range from 14 to 24. Select models incorporate features like Intel’s latest Wi-Fi 7 technology and on-package memory.

Core Architecture and Efficiency

Similar to recent Intel chip generations, the new lineups utilize a hybrid core architecture. These chips feature different core types working in concert. “P-cores” prioritize performance, while “E-cores” are designed for efficiency. Furthermore, even more power-efficient “low-power E-cores” are included.

Intel asserts that its newest P-cores have been re-engineered with AI-driven power management and other enhancements. The new E-cores are also touted as the company’s “most efficient” to date. According to Intel, “Next-gen low-power E-cores optimized for tasks requiring less power, along with new power, thermal, and acoustic features, help create powerhouse thin and light systems.”

Graphics and AI Capabilities

The Core Ultra 200H chips feature Intel’s high-end integrated graphics solution, Intel Arc with XMX, in certain configurations. The Core Ultra 200S, Core Ultra 200U, Core 200S, and Core 100U utilize the company’s Intel Graphics brand for GPUs. Moreover, the Core Ultra 200S and Core Ultra 200U, alongside the Core Ultra 200H, integrate Intel’s AI Boost technology.

Specific processors, including those in the Core Ultra 200HX, Core Ultra 200H, Core Ultra 200U, and Core Ultra 200V series, incorporate Intel’s neural processing unit (NPU). This dedicated chip accelerates AI applications and features found in operating systems like Windows 11. Intel claims the NPU within the Core Ultra 200V offers double the bandwidth of its predecessor.

Target Applications and Features

Intel positions its Core Ultra 200V, HX, H, U, and S chips as ideal for “commercial” applications. The Core Ultra 200S series is designed to deliver “desktop performance.” The Ultra 200HX is geared towards “enthusiast notebooks,” while the Ultra 200H is intended for “thin and light” devices.

A key feature of the Core Ultra 200V is its inclusion of Intel’s vPro enterprise ecosystem. This encompasses hardware-based threat detection, optimized applications, and validation programs for stability.

The Core Ultra 200V can also be configured to support Pluton, Microsoft’s hardware-based security co-processor. Pluton provides a hardware root-of-trust, safeguarding a device’s hardware against tampering.

Performance Claims and Availability

Intel highlighted performance improvements in several Core Ultra processor SKUs. The company states that the Core Ultra 285 – marketed as the Core Ultra 9 processor 285 – exhibits 2.9x better graphics performance compared to the Core i9 processor 14900. The Core Ultra 285H, sold as the Core Ultra 9 processor 285H, can reportedly run Meta’s Llama 3 8B AI model 3.3x faster than the Core Ultra 9 processor 185H, based on Intel’s benchmarks.

PCs equipped with Core Ultra 200V, HX, H, U, and S chips will become available later this month. Systems featuring Core Ultra 200H processors are expected in early Q1 of this year, with Ultra 200HX-based systems following in late Q1.