Intel Arrow Lake Refresh Leak Reveals Core Ultra 7 270K Plus Processor Details

Arrow Lake Refresh Processor Lineup Begins to Emerge

The first chip in Intel’s upcoming Arrow Lake refresh generation has appeared in benchmark leaks, according to reports from hardware monitoring sites. The processor, identified as the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, features 24 cores and was spotted in a Lenovo desktop system’s Geekbench results. Sources indicate this represents Intel’s first move to refresh its Core Ultra 200 series with new “Plus” designated models.

Arrow Lake Refresh Processor Lineup Begins to Emerge
Performance Results Defy Expectations
Broader Refresh Strategy Takes Shape
Market Context and Availability Timeline

Performance Results Defy Expectations

The leaked benchmarks show the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus achieving 3,215 points in single-core tests and 22,720 points in multi-threaded workloads on Geekbench. Analysis by industry observers reveals these scores are remarkably close to those of the current flagship Core Ultra 9 285K. This performance parity is particularly surprising given the 270K Plus’s presumably lower positioning in Intel’s product stack.

Industry analysts suggest this unexpected performance could be attributed to improved memory support. “There have been rumors that this could be thanks to faster memory support despite the potentially lower clock speeds of the 270K Plus,” according to the report from VideoCardz. This would represent an interesting approach to CPU refreshes, where memory enhancements rather than pure clock speed increases drive performance improvements.

Broader Refresh Strategy Takes Shape

Additional leaks point to a more comprehensive refresh lineup beyond the 270K Plus. Reports indicate Intel is preparing a Core Ultra 9 290K Plus with 24 cores and higher boost clocks, positioning it as the new flagship of the refreshed series. A more affordable 14-core Core Ultra 5 250K is also said to be in development, according to industry sources familiar with the matter.

The “Plus” designation appears to be Intel’s method of distinguishing these refreshed models from the initial Core Ultra 200 series launched in late 2024. That launch received what analysts described as a “muted response,” particularly regarding gaming performance that reportedly lagged behind Intel’s own two-generation-old 14000-series CPUs.

Market Context and Availability Timeline

Intel’s Core Ultra 200 series has seen improved reception following price adjustments, making them what industry observers call “excellent value buys at the mid-range on down.” The Arrow Lake refresh represents Intel’s effort to build on this momentum with performance enhancements.

The leaked benchmark system utilized an Nvidia RTX 5090D GPU, which is exclusively available in China, strongly suggesting the testing occurred in that market. This geographical clue indicates that system manufacturers are already evaluating these new processors, pointing toward a potential imminent launch. According to industry watchers, Intel will likely begin official announcements soon given the advanced testing stage revealed by these leaks.

Intel has maintained official silence regarding the Arrow Lake refresh specifications and timeline, leaving the information landscape dominated by leaks and industry speculation. However, the appearance of working systems in benchmark databases typically signals that a product launch is approaching within months rather than quarters.

Reference: Geekbench database entry for Core Ultra 7 processor