Intel 15th Gen Core 200 CPUs to Feature 3 Architectures in the Same Generation

Let’s dive into the fascinating world of Intel’s 15th Gen Core 200 CPUs and their three distinct architectures.

Intel’s Core 200 Series: A Significant Upgrade

Intel’s 15th Gen lineup, now known as the Core 200 series, represents a substantial leap forward since the introduction of the “Alder Lake” hybrid processors in Q4 2021. Unlike previous generations, the Core 200 processors will feature three different architectures, a departure from Intel’s usual approach.

Let’s break down what’s in store:

1. Raptor Lake-H: The Midrange Powerhouse

The first product stack within the Core 200 series is the Raptor Lake-H lineup. These processors will power mid-range and upper mid-range notebooks, serving as another iteration of the Raptor Lake Refresh. Expect to see them labeled with the Core 200H branding, following a similar pattern to the Core 100H stack in the previous generation.

2. Arrow Lake: Next-Gen Offerings

The Arrow Lake processors will adopt the Core Ultra 200H and Core Ultra 200U branding for high-performance desktop and notebook SKUs, respectively. Interestingly, these chips will be fabbed on two different process nodes. The higher-end variants will use TSMC’s 3nm “N3B” node, while the entry-level desktop chips will be on Intel’s 20A process. Arrow Lake is rumored to feature four different core clusters, including:

  • High-performance “Lion Cove” P-cores
  • Lower-clocked “Lion Cove” M-cores
  • Low-power “Skymont” E-cores
  • LPE “Skymont” cores on the SoC die

However, this move has raised eyebrows, as Windows is still catching up with Intel’s hybrid-core architectures, leading to sub-par performance in certain workloads, including gaming.

3. Lunar Lake: Efficiency and AI Focus

The third CPU stack, Lunar Lake, will carry the Core Ultra 200V branding. These processors will prioritize power efficiency and AI performance, with a significant boost in graphics capabilities. While CPU performance may be similar to Arrow Lake (or even slightly lower), expect Lunar Lake chips to power higher-end ultra-books and convertibles, possibly of the Surface grade.

Key Specifications (Intel Core i7-15700K and Core i9-15900K)

  • Base Power (PL1): 125W
  • Boost Power (PL2): 177W
  • Memory Type: DDR5-6400
  • Memory Channels: 2
  • Graphics: Xe-LPG (64 Execution Units)
  • NPU: Yes (approximately 10 TOPS?)
  • Socket: LGA1851
  • PCIe Lanes: Gen 5 x20
  • Core i7-15700K (Core Ultra 7 265K):
    • Cores: 20
    • Threads: 20
    • P-Cores: 8
    • P-Core Boost: 5.5GHz (estimated)
    • E-Cores: 12

In summary, Intel’s 15th Gen Core 200 CPUs promise exciting advancements across architectures, performance, and efficiency. Keep an eye out for Arrow Lake and Lunar Lake processors, expected to arrive by the end of this year or early next year.

Stay tuned for more updates! 🚀🔥