Intel’s Intel Core Ultra 200S processors could not live up to expectations at launch. Intel claims software problems are at the root, and promises a solution in the form of four different patches.
Intel launched the Core Ultra 200S series in October. Those chips, developed under code name Arrow Lake, were supposed to entice desktop users. Intel somewhat surprisingly chose a desktop chip to focus on performance per watt. Efficiency is rarely the driving force of someone who prefers a desktop over a laptop, and besides, initial reactions about the chips were not that positive. The chip often performed worse than its predecessor, according to international reviewers.
Intel took that feedback to heart, and discovered some problems responsible for the mediocre performance. Those are now being fixed through several patches.
Poorly timed patch
A first problem had to do with an update to provide synergy between Windows’ power management and the CPU. Intel launched that only after reviewers had started working with the new chips. Unfortunately, that update turned out to be essential to correctly activate the processor’s high performance mode. The fix for that has already been rolled out via Windows Update.
Furthermore, Epic Games provided a fix for compatibility issues, where gamers were experiencing crashes. Since just that target audience has a lot of interest in desktops, that too was painful.
Intel itself plans to launch two more performance updates in January. Around CES, the company will then share exactly how things are going. After those two updates, the chips should perform as promised. In the meantime, sufferers should see that both their BIOS and Windows installation are as current as possible.
Problems on top of problems
These new chips are not the only ones with problems. Thirteenth- and fourteenth-generation desktop processors are also suffering from defects. For these, too, Intel is trying to fix the defects software-wise.
Finally, the company itself is in dire straits. Intel has been caught up in speed by TSMC, AMD and ARM. The company is still the market leader in CPUs, but is consistently seeing its market share decline while competitors make more interesting chips. Intel veteran Pat Gelsinger was supposed to rectify the situation, but he suddenly retired a few weeks ago.