Intel Unveils Core Ultra 200V “Lunar Lake” Series, Launching September 24th

Intel has officially announced the launch of its Core Ultra 200V “Lunar Lake” series, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey towards AI-enhanced PC experiences. This new series is set to redefine performance and efficiency standards, although it is not yet fully certified as “Copilot+ PC”—a certification expected in November.

A Leap in Performance and Efficiency

The Core Ultra 200V series is not just an incremental upgrade but a substantial leap forward. Intel claims an 18% performance uplift over the Core Ultra 7 155H and a 30% improvement in graphics. The package power has been slashed by 50% compared to the Meteor Lake series, and there’s a 2x performance-per-watt increase. This makes the Lunar Lake series particularly appealing for everyday users who prioritize efficiency and performance.

Core Ultra 200V “Lunar Lake” Overview

• CPU: 4x Lion Cove + 4x Skymont
• GPU: 8x Xe2-LPG
• NPU: Up to 48 TOPS
• Memory: Up to 32GB LPDDR5x-8533

Key Claims:

• Up to 20.1 hours in UL Procyon Office (Core Ultra 7 268V)
• 50% lower package power (vs. Ultra 7 165H)
• 2x GPU power efficiency (vs. Core Ultra 7 155H)
• 20% higher perf/Watt (vs. Qualcomm X1E-80-100)

New CPU and GPU Cores

The Lunar Lake series introduces entirely new CPU cores: Lion Cove for performance and Skymont for efficiency. Each SKU in this lineup features a 4+4 core configuration, but they will vary in clock speeds and other features like GPU or NPU performance. The series supports PCIe 5.0, Thunderbolt 4, and Wi-Fi 7, ensuring future-proof connectivity.

Memory on Package (MoP)

One of the standout features of the Lunar Lake series is the integrated memory, known as Memory on Package (MoP). Users can choose between 16GB or 32GB of LPDDR5x-8533 memory, but this configuration is fixed and cannot be altered post-purchase. This design choice aims to optimize performance and power efficiency.

Flagship SKU: Core Ultra 9 288V

The flagship model in this series is the Core Ultra 9 288V, boasting a 4+4 core design with a boost clock of up to 5.1 GHz. It features Arc 140V graphics with 8 Xe2-cores clocked at 2.05 GHz. The Core Ultra 9 has a default power consumption of 30W, peaking at 37W. Other models in the series have a default of 17W, with a minimum of 8W, making them ideal for fanless designs.

Broad Manufacturer Support

Intel has announced that the Lunar Lake series will power over 80 designs from 20 manufacturers, including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, LG, MSI, and Samsung. Preorders are available starting today, with the official launch set for September 24th. Intel’s EVO PCs equipped with Core Ultra 200V processors will feature Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt Share 3, expected to launch next year.

Final Thoughts

The Core Ultra 200V “Lunar Lake” series represents a bold step for Intel, focusing on AI-enhanced experiences and efficiency. While it may not be aimed at gamers, its performance and power efficiency make it a compelling choice for everyday users and professionals alike. With broad manufacturer support and cutting-edge features, the Lunar Lake series is poised to make a significant impact in the PC market.