Media: Intel is preparing to release powerful Arrow Lake Refresh processors focused on AI performance enhancement

Intel is preparing a refreshed line of Arrow Lake Refresh processors, due for release in the second half of 2025. It won't just be a refresh - the chips will get notable improvements in performance and artificial intelligence capabilities.

Here's What We Know

The main innovation will be the integration of the NPU4 neural processor, first used in Lunar Lake mobile chips. Its performance reaches 48 TOPS, which meets Microsoft Copilot+ PC requirements and makes Arrow Lake Refresh the first Intel desktop platform with full AI certification.

It is also expected to increase clock speeds over current Core Ultra 200S models. The flagship chips may surpass 5.7 GHz, which will provide a significant performance boost in clock-sensitive tasks, including gaming and rendering. At the same time, the architecture of the cores will remain the same - productive Lion Cove and energy-efficient Skymont.

The processors will remain compatible with the LGA 1851 socket, which will allow to use them on existing motherboards without changing the platform. Also discussed is the introduction of IPO (Intel Performance Optimisations) technology - intelligent tuning of memory frequencies, power consumption and timings, previously available only in OEM systems in China.

Arrow Lake Refresh will be an intermediate stage before the launch of Nova Lake-S in 2026, where Intel plans to move to the new LGA 1954 socket and combine up to 52 cores of different types.

Source: WCcftech