Intel's product roadmap appears to be in flux once again as reports emerge that the previously canceled Arrow Lake CPU refresh has been resurrected. This development comes amid Intel's ongoing challenges with its current generation of processors and suggests the company is looking for ways to extend its product lineup before the arrival of Nova Lake in 2026.
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| The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K CPU, a key component in Intel's product lineup, showcased alongside RAM modules reflective of high-performance technology |
The Return of Arrow Lake Refresh
According to recent leaks from Chinese social media platform Weibo user Golden Pig Upgrade Pack, Intel has reversed its decision to cancel the Arrow Lake refresh. The revived lineup is expected to cover both desktop and mobile segments, potentially launching in the second half of 2025. This refresh would serve as an intermediary solution between the current Core Ultra 200 series (Arrow Lake) and the upcoming Nova Lake architecture planned for 2026.
Enhanced NPU Capabilities
The primary improvement in the Arrow Lake refresh appears to be focused on artificial intelligence processing capabilities. Reports suggest the refresh will incorporate an upgraded Neural Processing Unit (NPU), likely moving from the current 13 TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second) in Arrow Lake to a more capable design. Intel's NPU roadmap shows significant jumps in performance with each generation, from NPU4 at 48 TOPS to NPU5 at approximately 50 TOPS and NPU6 reaching around 75 TOPS.
Same Dies as Arrow Lake-HX
Interestingly, the desktop Arrow Lake-S refresh is reportedly set to utilize the same dies as the Arrow Lake-HX refresh for mobile platforms. This suggests a unified approach to the refresh rather than completely separate designs for desktop and mobile segments. The refresh would continue to target the existing LGA 1851 platform, maintaining compatibility with current motherboards while potentially offering some platform refreshes.
Limited Scope of Improvements
Despite the revival, expectations should be tempered regarding the extent of improvements. Sources describe the upcoming refresh as offering minor upgrades, suggesting this won't be a revolutionary update. Beyond the enhanced NPU, the refresh may include better optimizations for gaming at launch, addressing one of the criticisms of the current Arrow Lake lineup, which has struggled to impress gamers and enthusiasts.
Market Positioning and Timing
The timing of this refresh raises questions about Intel's competitive position. With Nova Lake pushed to 2026, a late 2025 launch for Arrow Lake refresh would help Intel bridge the gap in its product lineup. However, the effectiveness of focusing on NPU improvements remains uncertain, as the market is still waiting for compelling use cases for AI processing on personal computers beyond the current marketing hype.
Industry Context
This on-again-off-again approach to product planning reflects the challenges Intel faces in its processor roadmap. The company has been known for releasing processor refreshes in the past, but the underwhelming reception of the original Arrow Lake makes this particular refresh a curious decision. As one source colorfully noted, there's only so much polishing that can be done to improve the current generation's reputation.