Core Ultra 200S Plus: Intel gives mid-range CPUs more cores
Two processors usher in Intel's Arrow Lake Refresh. They come with additional cores and a faster chiplet connection.
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Intel is now bringing improved desktop processors in the form of Arrow Lake Refresh after all. The two models Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and Core Ultra 5 250K Plus are making the start. The manufacturer is not introducing new chiplets, but is activating more cores in the existing ones, which were previously reserved for more expensive models.
This is likely also the reason there is no new top model like the previously rumored Core Ultra 9 290K. At the top, there is simply too little room for acceleration. However, further new editions are expected to follow at the lower end, including cheaper F versions without a graphics unit.
Intel is equipping the two new models with four additional efficiency cores each. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus thus comes close to the top model Core Ultra 9 285K. Both use the full configuration with a total of 24 CPU cores (eight performance + 16 efficiency cores) and 36 MByte Level-3 cache. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus clocks only 200 MHz slower at its peak.
Improvements of the new Plus processors compared to previous Intel models.
(Image:Â Intel)
Intel is nominally accelerating the data connection between the chiplets (die-to-die clock frequency) from 2.1 to 3.0 GHz. Unlike Intel's 200S Boost overclocking profile, an expensive Z890 motherboard is not required for this. However, if you use one, you can still activate the 200S Boost and thus achieve a die-to-die clock frequency of 3.2 GHz.
On the memory side, the officially released limit increases from DDR5-6400 to DDR5-7200. However, this is unlikely to be relevant in the current memory crisis.
Price-Performance Recommendation in the Mid-Range
Ultimately, the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus should be hardly slower than the Core Ultra 9 285K. With a significantly lower recommended price, the Plus model appears much more attractive: Intel names 299 US dollars, which is approximately 310 Euros including taxes (not included in US prices). Interested parties save a good third of the purchase price compared to the 285K (starting from 477,99 €).
The Core Ultra 7 265K has the same recommended price of 299 US dollars, but is already available significantly cheaper in stores. In this price range, AMD only offers the eight-core Ryzen 7 9700X (starting from 288 €).
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18 CPU Cores in the 200 Euro Class
Meanwhile, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus replaces the Core Ultra 5 245K (starting from 177,90 €). It now has a total of 18 CPU cores instead of 14 and clocks slightly higher. Intel recommends 199 US dollars, which is approximately 205 Euros. From AMD, the six-core Ryzen 5 9600X (starting from 183 €) is available in this price class.
Intel will start selling the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and Core Ultra 5 250K Plus on March 26, 2026. Test reports for the processors will also be published by then.
| Core Ultra 200S Plus Specifications | ||||
| Model | Cores / Threads | Base Clock / Max. Turbo | L3 Cache | PBP / MTP |
| Core Ultra 9 285K | 8P+16E / 24 | 3.7 / 5.7 GHz | 36 MByte | 125 / 250 W |
| Core Ultra 7 270K Plus | 8P+16E / 24 | 3.7 / 5.5 GHz | 36 MByte | 125 / 250 W |
| Core Ultra 7 265K | 8P+12E / 20 | 3.9 / 5.5 GHz | 30 MByte | 125 / 250 W |
| Core Ultra 5 250K Plus | 6P+12E / 18 | 4.2 / 5.3 GHz | 28 MByte | 125 / 159 W |
| Core Ultra 5 245K | 6P+8E / 14 | 4.2 / 5.2 GHz | 24 MByte | 125 / 159 W |
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