Intel is preparing to launch three new Arrow Lake-S desktop processors: the Core Ultra 290K Plus, 270K Plus, and 250K Plus. These chips are designed to fill gaps in Intel’s current product lineup ahead of the transition from LGA 1851 to the next-generation LGA 1954 platform for Nova Lake. As such, this update functions more as a transitional, patch-style refresh rather than a fundamentally new architecture. Most improvements focus on core configuration adjustments and modest frequency increases.
Core Ultra 290K Plus — Small Frequency Bump at the High End #
The 290K Plus replaces the Ultra 285K and retains its 8 P-cores + 16 E-cores layout. The improvements focus on clock speeds:
- P-core max boost: +100 MHz → 5.6 GHz
- E-core max boost: 4.8 GHz
- TVB frequency: 5.7 GHz → 5.8 GHz
Aside from these frequency changes, most specifications remain unchanged, indicating only a marginal performance gain.
Core Ultra 270K Plus — More Significant Core Count Upgrade #
The 270K Plus sees the most notable structural improvement. Its configuration is upgraded from 8P + 12E to 8P + 16E, matching the Ultra 9 series.
Key points:
- Same P-core and max boost frequency as before
- E-core boost increased to 4.7 GHz
- P-core and E-core base clocks slightly reduced
- Likely derived from a lower-binned 285K, supported by leaked GeekBench results showing performance between the 285K and 265K
This makes the 270K Plus a meaningful refinement in the middle of the product stack.
Core Ultra 250K Plus — Filling the Lower Mid-Range Gap #
Positioned between the 245K and 265K, the 250K Plus uses a 6P + 12E configuration.
Updates include:
- +100 MHz boost to both P-core and E-core max frequencies
- –100 MHz reduction to E-core base clock
- Final max boost and TVB numbers remain undisclosed but are expected to be slightly above previous models
Overall, this SKU is tailored to plug specific performance tiers rather than introduce major innovation.
Memory & Power: Small Tweaks, Familiar Limits #
All three CPUs now support DDR5-7200, a step up from the original Arrow Lake’s DDR5-6400. However, real-world benefits may depend on ongoing memory supply constraints.
Power specifications stay consistent with Arrow Lake:
- Base Power (PBP): 125W
- Maximum Turbo Power (MTP): 250W for high-end models
Naming Signals a Mild Refresh, Not a New Generation #
Instead of branding this as a new generation (as Intel did with the “14th Gen” Raptor Lake Refresh), Intel uses a “Plus” suffix to indicate incremental enhancements.
Because Arrow Lake has already received substantial firmware and microarchitecture optimizations, these new “Plus” models are expected to coexist alongside existing SKUs rather than replacing them outright. This strategy helps refine pricing and positioning across the desktop lineup.
Market Outlook: A Transitional Update Facing Strong Competition #
Based on available leaks and early benchmarks, Arrow Lake Plus appears to be:
- A supplementary refresh, not a major upgrade
- A way to strengthen Intel’s lineup ahead of Nova Lake and LGA 1954
- A response to continued competitive pressure from AMD, especially with upcoming Zen 6 and new X3D variants
Ultimately, the success of these CPUs may depend heavily on Intel’s final pricing strategy, which has not yet been disclosed. Their true competitiveness will only become clear once retail pricing and independent reviews are available.