By the FlowUP team, gaming PC builder in Genappe (Belgium) · Updated 29 September 2026
In brief: Intel’s “15th generation” is the Core Ultra 200S (codename Arrow Lake-S), released on 24 October 2024: Core Ultra 5 245K, Core Ultra 7 265K and Core Ultra 9 285K, on a new LGA 1851 socket and only with DDR5. Intel has dropped the “Core i7 15th generation” naming. In March 2026, a refreshed version arrived (Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and Core Ultra 5 250K Plus). The next generation, Nova Lake (Core Ultra 400), will change sockets.
Intel 15th generation: the short version
After the Core i5, i7 and i9 of the 14th generation (Raptor Lake Refresh, late 2023), Intel changed the name and the architecture. The next generation, what everyone calls the “15th generation”, is officially Intel Core Ultra Series 2, and its desktop processors make up the Core Ultra 200S range.
If you’re looking for an “i5 15th gen” or an “i7 15th gen”, then you need a Core Ultra 5 or a Core Ultra 7 from the 200 series. The K and KF models were released on 24 October 2024, while the 65 W non-K versions came out in January 2025.
Intel’s 15th generation has a new name: Core Ultra 200S.
Core i5, i7, i9: the equivalents in the 15th generation
| Old range | New range | Desktop models |
|---|---|---|
| Core i5 (14th gen.) | Core Ultra 5 | 245K, 245KF, 245, 225 |
| Core i7 (14th gen.) | Core Ultra 7 | 265K, 265KF, 265 |
| Core i9 (14th gen.) | Core Ultra 9 | 285K, 285 |
| Refresh 2026 | Core Ultra 5 and 7 “Plus” | 250K Plus, 270K Plus |
The suffix doesn’t change meaning: K for an unlocked processor (overclocking), F for a model without integrated graphics, which requires a dedicated graphics card. For a gaming PC, a KF model is often the best value for money.
Technical sheet for the Core Ultra 200S
| Processor | P cores + E cores | Max frequency | Base / turbo power | Launch price (United States) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 9 285K | 8 + 16 (24 threads) | 5.7 GHz | 125 / 250 W | $589 |
| Core Ultra 7 265K | 8 + 12 (20 threads) | 5.5 GHz | 125 / 250 W | $394 |
| Core Ultra 5 245K | 6 + 8 (14 threads) | 5.2 GHz | 125 / 159 W | $309 |
| Core Ultra 7 270K Plus | 8 + 16 (24 threads) | 5.5 GHz | 125 W / n/a | $299 |
| Core Ultra 5 250K Plus | 6 + 12 (18 threads) | 5.3 GHz | 125 W / n/a | $199 |
Sources: Intel, Wikipedia (Arrow Lake), The FPS Review (11 March 2026) for the Plus models. Prices before tax at launch; prices in Europe are different.
What changes compared with 14th-gen Core chips
- New LGA 1851 socket with Z890, B860 and H810 chipsets: an LGA 1700 motherboard isn’t compatible.
- Only DDR5, up to 6400 MT/s natively (7200 MT/s on the Plus models). No more DDR4.
- End of Hyper-Threading: each core now handles just one thread, hence 24 threads for 24 cores on the 285K.
- New cores, Lion Cove (performance) and Skymont (efficiency), and a NPU rated at 13 TOPS for AI tasks.
- Lower power draw compared with the 14th-gen Core i9s, a recurring criticism of Raptor Lake.
Moving to the LGA 1851 socket requires a new motherboard.
Arrow Lake Refresh: the 2026 Core Ultra 200S Plus chips
Announced on 11 March 2026 and available since 26 March, the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and Core Ultra 5 250K Plus address some of the launch’s drawbacks: more efficiency cores, DDR5-7200 memory support and lower pricing. They still use the LGA 1851 socket and work with existing 800-series motherboards after a BIOS update. Intel didn’t release a Core Ultra 9 “Plus”. TechPowerUp headlined its 270K Plus review as “Intel’s Fastest Gaming CPU”.
VCG, “Test: Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, a pleasant surprise”.
Intel 15th generation or AMD for gaming?
At launch, the Core Ultra 200S range disappointed for gaming, sometimes trailing the 14th-gen Core chips. The 2026 refresh narrowed the gap, but didn’t close it: in its comparison dated 25 April 2026, Tom’s Hardware still finds the Ryzen 7 7800X3D 10.4% ahead of the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus on average across games.
Our take: for a 100% gaming PC, the Ryzen X3D chips stay ahead. For a PC that both plays and works (editing, 3D, multitasking), a Core Ultra 7 is a very good choice, with controlled power consumption. We detail this face-off in Intel or AMD: which processor for a gaming PC in 2026.
The choice of processor depends first and foremost on how you’ll use it: pure gaming or a do-it-all setup.
And the 16th generation? Nova Lake and the LGA 1954 socket
The follow-up is called Nova Lake and is expected to take the name of Core Ultra 400, on a new LGA 1954 socket. According to a partner document shared by Tom's Hardware on 3 September 2026, mass production would begin in Q4 2026 and the first desktop processors would arrive in Q1 2027, up to 52 cores for the high-end models. This is a leak, not an official Intel schedule. Practical consequence: an LGA 1851 motherboard bought today will not be able to support Nova Lake.
Our gaming PCs with Intel Core Ultra processor
Abyssin PC, Core Ultra 5 245KF
Core Ultra 5 245KF and GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16 GB: Intel’s 15th generation for demanding 1440p.
Arctic PC, Core Ultra 7 265KF
Core Ultra 7 265KF and GeForce RTX 5080: for ultra 1440p, 4K and content creation.
PC Novara GeForce RTX 5070 12GB
Ryzen 5 7500X3D, RTX 5070 12GB, 16 GB of DDR5 and 1 TB M.2 SSD: a ready-to-play configuration straight out of the box.
FAQ: Intel 15th generation
What is Intel 15th generation?
This is the Core Ultra 200S range (Arrow Lake-S), released on 24 October 2024 for the K models. Intel officially calls it the Core Ultra Series 2.
Is there a Core i7 or i5 from the 15th generation?
No. The equivalents are the Core Ultra 7 265K (or 270K Plus) for an i7 and the Core Ultra 5 245K (or 250K Plus) for an i5.
What socket is used for Intel 15th generation?
The LGA 1851, with the Z890, B860 and H810 chipsets. LGA 1700 motherboards from the 12th to 14th generations are not compatible.
Is Intel 15th generation compatible with DDR4?
No, the Core Ultra 200S works only with DDR5.
When does Intel 16th generation launch?
Nova Lake (Core Ultra 400) is expected on the LGA 1954 socket. A leak shared in September 2026 mentions the first desktop models in Q1 2027, with no official confirmation.
Sources
- Wikipedia, Arrow Lake (microprocessor)
- The FPS Review, Intel announces the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and Core Ultra 5 250K Plus (11 March 2026)
- TechPowerUp, Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus Review
- Tom's Hardware, Core Ultra 7 270K Plus vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D (25 April 2026)
- Tom's Hardware, Nova Lake schedule (3 September 2026)
- VCG, Test: Core Ultra 7 270K Plus (YouTube)
