Intel Core Ultra: The Biggest Architecture Overhaul Yet
Intel’s Core Ultra marks a major shift in the PC CPU lineup, replacing the long-standing Core i branding with a completely redesigned architecture under the codename Arrow Lake-S. This isn’t just a name change—it’s a structural and philosophical overhaul of Intel’s CPU design, bringing technologies from Meteor Lake laptops fully into the desktop market.
Arrow Lake-S adopts a Tile-based Multi-Chip Module (MCM) design, similar to the Chiplet approach popularized by competitors. Each CPU is composed of specialized tiles interconnected via a central Foveros base tile, including:
- Compute Tile: Houses all CPU cores, built on N3B process
- SoC Tile: Manages memory (DDR5), PCIe, and AI/NPU processing, built on N6
- Graphics Tile: Upgraded Xe-LPG iGPU, built on N5P
- I/O Tile: Handles Thunderbolt 4 and connectivity
Intel also redesigned the layout of P-cores and E-core clusters, alternating them for better heat distribution and reduced inter-core latency.
Arrow Lake-S introduces two new core types:
- Lion Cove P-cores: Optimized for gaming and heavy workloads, with 9% higher IPC and 3MB L2 cache per core
- Skymont E-cores: Energy-efficient cores with 32% IPC improvement, now matching the performance of older P-cores for multi-threaded tasks
A major change is the removal of Hyper-Threading from P-cores, making Core Ultra 9 285K a 24-core, 24-thread CPU (8 P +16 E), compared to i9-14900K’s 24-core, 32-thread configuration. Intel bets that powerful E-cores can offset the loss in multi-threaded performance, while also reducing P-core complexity.
Arrow Lake-S also introduces Intel’s AI Boost with an onboard NPU, delivering 13 TOPS and laying the groundwork for AI-enabled desktops. The integrated Xe-LPG graphics now deliver up to 100% better performance than UHD 770, capable of 1080p gaming without a discrete GPU.
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K: Flagship Performance
| Feature | Core Ultra 9 285K | Core i9-14900K | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Arrow Lake-S | Raptor Lake Refresh | Zen 5 |
| Cores (P+E) | 24 (8+16) | 24 (8+16) | 16 |
| Threads | 24 | 32 | 32 |
| Boost Clock | 5.7 GHz | 6.0 GHz | 5.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 36 MB | 36 MB | 64 MB |
| iGPU | Xe-LPG | UHD 770 | Radeon Graphics |
| TDP | 125W | 125W | 170W |
| Price | 20,900 THB | 16,900 THB | 21,100 THB |
Benchmarks show Core Ultra 9 285K outperforming i9-14900K by up to 15% in games like Starfield and 12% in multi-core workloads (Cinebench, Geekbench 6). Efficiency is a standout: gaming power draw averages 77W vs 121W for 14900K, with temperatures averaging 48°C vs 60°C, reducing the need for expensive cooling solutions.
Intel Core Ultra 5 245K: Mid-Range Sweet Spot
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 245K | Core i5-14600K | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Arrow Lake-S | Raptor Lake Refresh | Zen 5 |
| Cores (P+E) | 14 (6+8) | 14 (6+8) | 6 |
| Threads | 14 | 20 | 12 |
| Boost Clock | 5.2 GHz | 5.3 GHz | 5.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 24 MB | 24 MB | 32 MB |
| TDP | 125W | 125W | 105W |
| Price | 9,490 THB | 8,890 THB | 8,990 THB |
Core Ultra 5 245K shows up to 13% better performance than i5-14600K, especially in multi-threaded tasks like Blender or Handbrake, while drawing only 83W during gaming, a 46% reduction from i5-14600K.
Arrow Lake-S Verdict: Worth It for Gamers and Creators?
For gamers seeking high FPS, Arrow Lake-S is a compelling upgrade, especially for users moving from older generations. The CPUs also excel in content creation, 3D rendering, and streaming, thanks to high multi-core performance, AI support, and remarkable power efficiency.
Arrow Lake-S is Intel’s statement about the future: AI integration, tile-based modular design, and performance-per-watt optimization. These are CPUs designed not just for raw speed, but for the modern era of computing where efficiency and versatility matter as much as FPS.
For the average user who uses heavy computing tasks such as video editing, 3D rendering, or streaming, the Core Ultra 9 285K and Ultra 5 245K are very attractive options.
The Core Ultra 200 Arrow Lake-S is a transitional CPU that shows the future direction of Intel’s focus on AI and unparalleled performance per watt.
