- 0-20%: Unlikely - Lacks credible sources
- 21-40%: Questionable - Some concerns remain
- 41-60%: Plausible - Reasonable evidence
- 61-80%: Probable - Strong evidence
- 81-100%: Highly Likely - Multiple reliable sources
100%
Highly Likely
The new leak confirms that the Arrow Lake Refresh SKUs will feature "Plus" designation as well as more E-cores and P-core frequency
Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and Ultra 5 250K Plus to Boast 100 MHz Higher; Ultra 7 270K Plus and 250K Plus Also Get Additional E-Cores
Looks like the previous reports of higher E-cores on the upcoming Arrow Lake Refresh CPUs are solid, and we now have Videocardz confirming the previous specs as well as bringing new information to the table. Previously, we saw the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus leaked on Geekbench, which apparently brought four more cores, and while we did hear about SKUs like Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, we now know the changes they will bring over their predecessors.
The Core Ultra 9 290K Plus will succeed the Core Ultra 9 285K, the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus will succeed the 265K, and the 250K Plus will be sitting over the 245K. However, not every SKU saw the same upgrade, as we have the 290K Plus boasting the same number of cores (8+16) as the 285K, but it will boast 100 MHz higher Max P-Core frequency as well as up to 5.8 GHz Thermal Velocity Boost (100 MHz higher than 285K).
- Core Ultra 9 290K Plus -> +100 MHz Max P-Core and TVB Clocks, DDR5-7200
The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, on the other hand, will have the same clocks as the 265K (except for the E-Core clock changes, which are also seen on other Refresh SKUs), but will have four additional E-Cores, bringing the total core count to 24. This puts it just under the 285K. This feels pretty similar to the jump Intel made going from Intel Core i7 13700K to i7 14700K, as the latter was the only SKU to receive an actual core count upgrade in the whole Raptor Lake Refresh family.
- Core Ultra 7 270K Plus -> +4 E-Cores, DDR5-7200
However, this time, we also have a similar upgrade for the Core Ultra 5 250K, which not only received four additional E-cores but also received a 100 MHz increment in Max P-core frequency. This makes it an 18-Core CPU, something that sits between the Core Ultra 7 265K and Core Ultra 5 245K.
- Core Ultra 5 250K Plus -> +100 MHz Max P-Core, +4 E-Cores, DDR5-7200
That said, the new CPUs will also bring better memory support and will officially support 7200 MT/s. This is a good 800 MT/s increment over the current SKUs and should help DDR5 memory push the limits. The current Arrow Lake lineup already boasts an excellent memory controller, and this upgrade will further help enthusiasts push the frequency records to the next level.
Intel Core Ultra 200S "Arrow Lake" and Arrow Lake Refresh CPU Specs:
| CPU | Cores/Threads | Base Clock (P/E Core) | Max Boost (P/E Core) | Cache (L3 / L2) | Memory Support | TDP (PL1 / PL2) | Price (SEP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 9 290K Plus | 24/24 (8+16) | 3.7 / 3.2 GHz | 5.8 / 4.8 GHz | 36 MB / 40 MB | DDR5-7200 | 125W / 250W | Cancelled |
| Core Ultra 9 285K | 24/24 (8+16) | 3.7 / 3.2 GHz | 5.7 / 4.6 GHz | 36 MB / 40 MB | DDR5-6400 | 125W / 250W | $589 US |
| Core Ultra 7 270K Plus | 24/24 (8+16) | 3.7 / 3.2 GHz | 5.5 / 4.7 GHz | 36 MB / 40 MB | DDR5-7200 | 125W / 250W | $299 US |
| Core Ultra 7 265K | 20/20 (8+12) | 3.9 / 3.3 GHz | 5.5 / 4.6 GHz | 30 MB / 36 MB | DDR5-6400 | 125W / 250W | $394 US |
| Core Ultra 7 265KF | 20/20 (8+12) | 3.9 / 3.3 GHz | 5.5 / 4.6 GHz | 30 MB / 36 MB | DDR5-6400 | 125W / 250W | $379 US |
| Core Ultra 5 250K Plus | 18/18 (6+12) | 4.2 / 3.5 GHz | 5.3 / 4.7 GHz | 24 MB / 26 MB ? | DDR5-7200 | 125W / 159W | $199 US |
| Core Ultra 5 245K | 14/14 (6+8) | 4.2 / 3.6 GHz | 5.2 / 4.6 GHz | 24 MB / 26 MB | DDR5-6400 | 125W / 159W | $309 US |
| Core Ultra 5 245KF | 14/14 (6+8) | 4.2 / 3.6 GHz | 5.2 / 4.6 GHz | 24 MB / 26 MB | DDR5-6400 | 125W / 159W | $294 US |
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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