Intel Arrow Lake-S Refresh CPUs confirmed for LGA 1851 and 800-series motherboards. Discover Core Ultra Series 2 specs, release timeline, and performance upgrades.
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Intel Arrow Lake-S Refresh: The Last Dance for LGA 1851
The tech world has been buzzing with speculation, and now it’s official: Intel’s Arrow Lake-S Refresh “Core Ultra Series 2” CPUs are now confirmed and will be supported by existing LGA 1851 socketed motherboards. This announcement marks a significant milestone for Intel’s desktop CPU roadmap and offers both exciting opportunities and concerning limitations for PC enthusiasts.
The latest leak comes from Momomo_US, who has posted a picture of a block diagram of a W880 motherboard, which lists support for Intel’s Arrow Lake-S and Arrow Lake-S Refresh Desktop CPUs. This concrete evidence puts to rest months of speculation about Intel’s next-generation desktop processors.
What Makes Arrow Lake-S Refresh Special?
The Arrow Lake-S Refresh represents Intel’s iterative approach to processor development, focusing on refinement rather than revolutionary changes. Unlike major generational leaps, this refresh prioritizes practical improvements that matter to everyday users.
Key Improvements Expected:
- Higher base and boost clock speeds across the lineup
- Enhanced NPU (Neural Processing Unit) performance for AI workloads
- Optimized power efficiency and thermal characteristics
- Improved memory controller performance
- Better gaming optimization through microcode updates
The LGA 1851 Swan Song: Last Generation Before Nova Lake
The CPUs will retain the same PL1 TDPs of up to 125W in unlocked design, but this will be the last LGA 1851 socketed lineup before Intel launches its newer LGA 1954 socket, which is designed around its next-gen Nova Lake-S Desktop CPUs.
This revelation has significant implications for PC builders and enthusiasts:
Platform Longevity Concerns: Intel’s two-generation socket strategy contrasts sharply with AMD’s approach. This two-generation cadence is a bit of a downside on Intel’s side, as AMD’s platforms last much longer and support several generations of CPUs, as we have seen with AM4 and now with AM5.
Cooling Compatibility: The good news for existing users is cooling solution compatibility. The only bright side is that you will be able to reuse your cooling solution on the new socket since it retains the same dimensions as the existing one.
Intel’s Desktop CPU Evolution Timeline
GenerationArchitectureProcessSocketLaunch YearPlatform Lifespan12th Gen (Alder Lake)Golden Cove + GracemontIntel 7LGA 170020213 generations13th Gen (Raptor Lake)Raptor Cove + GracemontIntel 7LGA 17002022Continued support14th Gen (Raptor Lake Refresh)Raptor Cove + GracemontIntel 7LGA 17002023Final LGA 1700Core Ultra 200 (Arrow Lake)Lion Cove + SkymontTSMC N3BLGA 185120242 generationsCore Ultra Series 2 (Arrow Lake Refresh)Lion Cove + SkymontTSMC N3BLGA 18512025Final LGA 1851Core Ultra 400 (Nova Lake)Coyote Cove + Arctic WolfTBALGA 19542026New platform
Performance Expectations: Evolution, Not Revolution
It’s been known for a while that the Arrow Lake-S refresh won’t be a major upgrade over the existing lineup, with most of the changes coming in the form of higher clock speeds and a faster NPU.
Expected Performance Gains:
- Single-threaded Performance: 5-8% improvement through higher boost clocks
- Multi-threaded Workloads: 3-5% gains from optimized power delivery
- AI Workloads: 30-40% NPU performance increase
- Gaming Performance: Modest 2-4% improvement with better optimization
- Power Efficiency: 5-10% better performance-per-watt
Current Market Context: Arrow Lake Price Cuts Signal Refresh Preparation
The timing of Intel’s current processor price reductions suggests strategic preparation for the refresh launch. Intel has started to offer significant price cuts on its existing Core Ultra Series 2 family. The Core Ultra 7 265K/KF models are already cut down below $300 US, which makes them a great buy.
Current Arrow Lake Value Proposition: The CPUs aren’t generally bad if you look at the overall package, it’s just that the gaming performance, which is a crucial metric for PC builders as the majority of users make up this audience, turned out to be bad and Intel’s Core Ultra 200S boost has only offered a little uplift versus the stock gaming performance.
Arrow Lake Refresh vs Competition Analysis
Intel’s Challenges:
- Gaming performance deficit compared to AMD Ryzen 7000/9000 series
- Limited platform longevity compared to AM5
- Higher power consumption in some workloads
- Price-to-performance ratio concerns
Intel’s Advantages:
- Superior single-threaded performance in productivity tasks
- Advanced NPU for AI acceleration
- Better integrated graphics performance
- Established motherboard ecosystem
- Superior memory overclocking capabilities
Expected SKU Lineup and Pricing
Expected Model Cores/Threads Base/Boost Clock Expected Price Target Market
Core Ultra 9 285K 8P+16E (24c/24t) 3.7/5.8 GHz $589-629 Flagship enthusiast
Core Ultra 7 275K 8P+12E (20c/20t) 3.6/5.6 GHz $389-429 Performance mainstream
Core Ultra 5 255K 6P+8E (14c/14t) 3.5/5.4 GHz $289-329 Budget performance
Core Ultra 5 245 6P+8E (14c/14t) 3.2/5.2 GHz. $229-269 Mainstream locked
Motherboard Compatibility and Upgrade Path
Current 800-Series Motherboard Support:
- Z890 (Enthusiast overclocking)
- B860 (Mainstream performance)
- H810 (Budget office/productivity)
- W880 (Workstation applications)
BIOS Update Requirements: All existing LGA 1851 motherboards will require BIOS updates to support Arrow Lake-S Refresh processors. Motherboard manufacturers are expected to release beta BIOS versions in Q2 2025.
AI and NPU Capabilities: The Hidden Advantage
The most significant upgrade in Arrow Lake-S Refresh lies in its enhanced NPU capabilities. With AI becoming increasingly important in everyday computing, Intel’s focus on neural processing acceleration positions these processors for future software developments.
NPU Applications:
- Real-time video upscaling and enhancement
- AI-assisted content creation
- Background noise removal in video calls
- Intelligent system optimization
- Local AI model inference
Launch Timeline and Availability
Expected Release Schedule:
- Q2 2025: Official announcement and specification reveal
- Q3 2025: Review embargo lift and retail availability
- Q4 2025: Broader market availability and price competition
Pre-Launch Indicators:
- Motherboard BIOS updates appearing in Q2 2025
- Retail listings emerging in late Q2
- Price adjustments on current Arrow Lake processors
The Nova Lake Transition: What Comes Next
With Arrow Lake-S Refresh being the final LGA 1851 generation, users must consider their long-term upgrade strategy. The upcoming Nova Lake platform promises significant improvements but requires a complete platform upgrade.
Nova Lake Expectations (2026):
- Up to 52 cores in consumer configurations
- New LGA 1954 socket with same cooler compatibility
- PCIe Gen 6.0 support
- Advanced AI capabilities
- Significant architecture improvements
Frequently Asked Questions:
When will Intel Arrow Lake-S Refresh CPUs be released?
Intel Arrow Lake-S Refresh processors are expected to launch in Q3 2025, with official announcements likely coming in Q2 2025 during major tech events.
Will my current LGA 1851 motherboard support Arrow Lake-S Refresh?
Yes, all existing 800-series motherboards (Z890, B860, H810, W880) will support Arrow Lake-S Refresh CPUs through BIOS updates from motherboard manufacturers.
What performance improvements can I expect from Arrow Lake-S Refresh?
Expect 5-8% single-threaded performance gains, 30-40% NPU performance increases, and modest gaming improvements of 2-4% compared to current Arrow Lake processors.
Should I wait for Arrow Lake-S Refresh or buy current Arrow Lake CPUs?
If you need a system now, current Arrow Lake processors offer good value with recent price cuts. Wait for the refresh if you prioritize the latest features and modest performance gains.
Will Arrow Lake-S Refresh improve gaming performance?
Gaming improvements will be modest (2-4%) as the refresh focuses on clock speed increases and optimization rather than fundamental architecture changes.
Is this the last generation for LGA 1851 socket?
Yes, Arrow Lake-S Refresh will be the final CPU generation for LGA 1851. Intel’s next-generation Nova Lake will use the new LGA 1954 socket in 2026.
What’s the expected pricing for Arrow Lake-S Refresh CPUs?
Pricing is expected to remain similar to current Arrow Lake launch prices, with flagship models around $589-629 and mainstream options from $289-429.
Do I need a new power supply for Arrow Lake-S Refresh?
No, Arrow Lake-S Refresh maintains the same TDP limits (65W-125W) as current Arrow Lake processors, so existing power supplies should be sufficient.
