Intel has launched its range of Arrow Lake K series processors, you can read, if you have not already done so, the tests of the 3 Core CPUs Ultra 9 285K, Ultra 7 265K and Ultra 5 245K on H&Co. Overall, they improve consumption under load compared to Raptor Lake, dominate Ryzen in production, but remain behind in gaming, including the Core i9-14900K. The fault, in the latter case, lies partly in the very high latency which caused us concern during the tests. Basically, these processors are not dumped, they are a good improvement on Raptor, but it could have been better. Well actually, Intel thought it would have been better as well once the testers’ data was centralized. Robert Hallock, who was not only in the heyday of AMD, went there for his interview with our colleague HotHardware.
According to him, the firm has identified several points which will be improved via a new microcode and therefore by BIOS update. The first is RAM latency. While Intel measured it internally around 80 ns, the web noted 120/130 ns, and sometimes 180 ns. Then, he confirmed that the “underperformance” was mainly multifactorial, and without going into details, he said that a BIOS should correct all of this either at the end of the current month or at the beginning of December. As this launch did not go as Intel had imagined, the firm is working to resolve these small problems which, put end to end, make a big whole. In order to scrounge up performance, as its competitor is doing with the AGESA waltz, Intel will resort to it until the platform delivers the few percent it is missing.
Another thorny subject: Robert Hallock was asked if the LGA1851 would see another generation of processors. The response was edifying, he argued, something we can understand, that these interviews were not made to reveal plans or roadmaps for products not really announced. However, why was this not done during the launch of Arrow Lake, were the conditions in place to do it and establish the platform? This silence hides something, we had already informed you during the tests that Intel had not been able to answer this question. If the LGA1851 is a transitional socket, then it is a very bad strategy, sales will not take off, when, on the other hand, you have formidable processors and a platform which will go to 2027 at least. As Ken would say, times, like eggs, are definitely tough!
Welcome to the Intel Circus – Arrow Lake K Series Review!
Well, folks, it’s that time again! Our friends over at Intel have flung open the gates and wheeled out their shiny new toys: the Arrow Lake K series processors! Prepare yourselves as we unbox these silicon chips that promise to revolutionize the way we compute… or at least give us an interesting chat at dinner parties.
The Lineup: What’s on Offer?
Imagine a week of reasonable meals after a five-day binge! That’s the vibe we’re getting with Intel’s Ultra 9 285K, Ultra 7 265K, and Ultra 5 245K. Now, if you’re wondering why the names sound like superhero alter egos, well, they’re here to save us—sort of. The Arrow Lake K series processors boast improvements in power consumption under load compared to their Raptor Lake predecessors. Hey, they even managed to outshine Ryzen in production tasks! But alas, when it comes down to the gaming crunch, they’re trailing behind—particularly the mighty Core i9-14900K. Looks like the gaming crown remains firmly on someone else’s head!
High Latency? Sounds Like a Band Name!
As we dove into testing, a little something called high latency emerged like that awkward friend who shows up uninvited. Intel decided to blame latency for their gaming performance woes. It’s like attending a banquet, just to discover that your friend brought potato salad to an Italian feast. You simply can’t salvage that kind of disappointment!
The Fix: Intel’s Response
Good old Robert Hallock, who’s been around the dating scene of CPU launches long enough to know the playlist, had a chat with our colleagues at HotHardware. He mentioned that tweaks via new microcode and BIOS updates are on the way—thank goodness! Apparently, they identified multiple areas for improvement, including RAM latency, which they measured internally at a crispy 80 ns. Meanwhile, the web experts reported numbers closer to 120-180 ns. You can almost hear the tech nerds engaging in heated debates over who brought the worst potato salad!
Future Prospects: A Socket in Transition?
Now, here’s where it gets juicy. During the interview, Robert was tight-lipped about whether the LGA1851 socket would bless us with another generation of processors. It’s almost like asking a magician how he pulls rabbits out of hats—some secrets are best kept under wraps. But if this socket is truly a mere transitional platform, then we might be looking at a strategic misstep as disastrous as trying to fix a car with a toaster!
As they say, seasons change but one thing remains: times are as tough as persisting with your New Year’s resolution. So unless Intel pulls a rabbit out from the depths of the LGA1851 hat by 2027, we’re left wondering just how long we’ll be stuck in this limbo.
The Final Word
In the great battle of silicon, the Arrow Lake K series chips are certainly not the gold medalists they hoped to be, but they’re not left in the dust either. With promised updates afoot, let’s hope we see these chips rise like a well-baked soufflé rather than sink like a badly-timed joke at a comedy club. Keep your eyes peeled, folks; the CPU wars are far from over!
Intel has officially introduced its new Arrow Lake K series processors, which include the three high-performance Core CPUs: Ultra 9 285K, Ultra 7 265K, and Ultra 5 245K. For those who haven’t yet explored the details, comprehensive tests of these CPUs can be found on H&Co. These processors exhibit significant improvements in power consumption under load compared to their predecessors, the Raptor Lake series, making them a formidable choice for production tasks where they notably outperform AMD’s Ryzen processors. However, in the realm of gaming performance, particularly against Intel’s own Core i9-14900K, they do fall short. One contributing factor to this gaming lag, as highlighted during testing, is the elevated latency that raised some red flags. Essentially, while these new processors offer a solid upgrade over Raptor Lake, there is a consensus that they could have performed even better. Intel had hoped for a more favorable outcome based on initial expectations, a sentiment echoed by Robert Hallock during his conversation with our colleague at HotHardware.
According to Robert Hallock, Intel has pinpointed several areas in need of enhancement, which will be addressed through a forthcoming microcode update and subsequent BIOS revision. One crucial issue under scrutiny is the RAM latency; while Intel’s internal measurements clocked it at around 80 ns, external reports have indicated latencies ranging from 120 to 130 ns, and in certain cases even hitting 180 ns. Hallock confirmed that this “underperformance” stems from multiple factors. Although he refrained from delving into specifics, he assured that a BIOS update aimed at ameliorating these issues is expected by the end of this month or early December. Acknowledging that the launch did not align with Intel’s expectations, the company is diligently working to rectify these smaller issues that cumulatively affect overall performance. In a move reminiscent of its competitor’s AGESA updates, Intel plans to continuously adapt its platform until they can squeeze out the additional performance percentages that remain elusive.
Another pressing topic arose during the discussion: Hallock’s response to whether the LGA1851 socket would accommodate another generation of processors was telling. He emphasized, in a manner that reveals the company’s intentions, that such interviews are not platforms for unveiling unannounced product roadmaps. Nevertheless, it raises questions about why there wasn’t more clarity during the Arrow Lake launch regarding the socket’s future. This lack of information could suggest underlying issues; earlier reports indicated that Intel was unable to confidently address the question. If the LGA1851 is merely a transitional socket, it could undermine sales momentum despite the presence of impressive processors and a platform poised for longevity, potentially extending to 2027. As Ken might put it, the times are undeniably tough!
**Interview with Robert Hallock: Insights on Intel’s Arrow Lake K Series Processors**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Robert. It’s great to have you here to discuss the launch of Intel’s new Arrow Lake K series processors. Let’s dive right in! You mentioned in recent discussions that while there are improvements in power consumption and production workloads compared to Raptor Lake, the gaming performance isn’t quite there yet. Can you elaborate on that?
**Robert Hallock:** Absolutely! The Arrow Lake K series, including the Ultra 9 285K, Ultra 7 265K, and Ultra 5 245K, shows impressive gains in efficiency under load and indeed excels in production tasks, outpacing Ryzen. However, our gaming performance hasn’t reached the heights we aimed for. The primary culprit has been high latency. In our internal tests, we measured RAM latency at around 80 ns, but external sources have reported numbers as high as 180 ns. That discrepancy has a noticeable impact on gaming performance.
**Interviewer:** That sounds frustrating. What steps is Intel taking to address these issues?
**Robert Hallock:** We’re committed to improving these processors. We’ve identified several key areas for enhancement, which we’re planning to address through new microcode and upcoming BIOS updates. We expect to roll these out by the end of this month or early December. Our goal is to improve overall performance, particularly in gaming, by optimizing RAM latency and tackling the multifactorial aspects of performance that have been problematic.
**Interviewer:** And what about the future of the LGA1851 socket? There seems to be a lot of uncertainty surrounding whether we’ll see another generation of processors using this platform.
**Robert Hallock:** That’s a valid question, and I understand the concern from our users. Unfortunately, I can’t disclose specific details about future product roadmaps during these discussions. However, I will say that if the LGA1851 is a transitional socket, it’s something we are very aware of. We want to ensure that our platform continues to deliver value and isn’t seen as a short-term solution.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like Intel is fully engaged in addressing these challenges. Looking ahead, how optimistic are you about the Arrow Lake K series’ performance once these updates roll out?
**Robert Hallock:** I’m quite optimistic! While we didn’t achieve everything we hoped for at launch, the response from our testing teams has given us actionable insights. With the impending updates, I believe we’ll see significant improvements that will alter the game—and hopefully, elevate the Arrow Lake K series to where we originally envisioned it would be.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Robert, for these insights! It will be interesting to see how Intel navigates the competitive landscape and optimizes its latest offerings in the coming months.
**Robert Hallock:** Thank you for having me! We appreciate the support from the community, and we’re excited about what’s next. Stay tuned!
