Intel’s upcoming Arrow Lake-S desktop CPUs, including the Core Ultra 9 285K, Core Ultra 7 265K, and Core Ultra 5 245K, are expected to have identical PL1 and PL2 power limits in their “Performance” profiles. When Intel’s Clarke Lake-S “Core Ultra 200” series debuts, these three K-series chips will arrive in their initial release. Although tensions were known from previous leaks and disclosed power limits and TDPs for the CPUs, it seems Intel has tweaked its “Performance” profiles accordingly.
More About the Intel Arrow Lake-S Desktop CPUs
Historically, Intel desktop CPUs have three power profiles: Baseline keeps the CPU to its default wattages and operating limits; Performance puts PL2 into overdrive relative to PL1 (shrinking workload opportunity), for higher performance at the cost of more average power in a broader window applied longer than stock settings would allow. Intel tightened up enforcement of the Baseline profile for 14th and 13th-Gen Raptor Lake CPUs, which is intended to ensure stability, and motherboard vendors are meant to strictly adhere to this with LGA1700 socketed products. This was followed by a similar issue, where Intel released new BIOS and microcode updates that fixed the instability-reported problems when installed.
The Arrow Lake-S “Core Ultra 200” CPUs are set to include a “Performance” profile across four SKUs: Core Ultra 9 285K (8+16), Core Ultra 7 265K (8+12), Core Ultra 5 245K (6+8), and a KS variant of the top model. In the “Performance” profile, the PL1 TDP will match the PL2 power limit, meaning the KS, Core Ultra 9 285K, and Core Ultra 7 265K will run up to 250W, while the Core Ultra 5 245K will have a TDP of 159W.
The default behavior for these CPUs will be to operate in Baseline profile, with the option of flashing a “Performance” BIOS on their motherboards allowing them to get better performance out of their Ryzen processors. The baseline mode for the 150W model of KS will default to a 150W TDP. Just like AMD’s Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) mode, the Intel “Performance” profiles are meant for those who want more performance. Arrow Lake-S CPUs are also expected to use considerably less power: a full 100W lower than Raptor Lake. The devices will be released in October, presumably hitting store shelves on the 17th.
FAQs
What are the key features of the Arrow Lake-S “Performance” profile?
It aligns PL1 and PL2 power limits for enhanced performance.
Which Arrow Lake-S CPUs will feature a “Performance” profile?
The Core Ultra 9 285K, Core Ultra 7 265K, and Core Ultra 5 245K, along with a KS variant.
