Intel is boosting the performance of its Arrow Lake CPUs for free
- Intel has released a free update called “Intel 200S Boost” that boosts gaming performance on its Arrow Lake CPUs.
- The update allows users to achieve higher fabric, die-to-die, and memory frequencies for better results during low-latency workloads like gaming.
- The new profile is available for unlocked Intel Core Ultra 200S-series processors paired with compatible Intel Z890 motherboards and appropriate Intel XMP RAM modules.
- Intel reports an average improvement of 7.5% in gaming performance over officially supported memory speeds, but notes that certain motherboards and RAM modules may not work with the new overclocking profile.
- To apply the update, users must update their BIOS, enable the Intel 200S Boost Profile, restart their system, run stability tests, and monitor performance using compatible software and hardware.
Intel continues to work on getting better results from its Arrow Lake CPUs, now with a free update that it says will boost gaming performance. The company announced that the update, an overclocking profile called “Intel 200S Boost,” is available for unlocked Intel Core Ultra 200S-series processors “paired with compatible Intel Z890 motherboards and appropriate Intel XMP RAM modules.
The new profile follows previous tweaks, such as a BIOS update from March that The Verge’s Tom Warren found gave the Core Ultra 9 285K CPU inconsistently improved gaming performance. After testing the new update this week in multiple games and configurations, Tom’s Hardware reports “an average improvement of 7.5% over the officially supported memory speeds.”
Intel says that the 200S Boost profile “allows users to achieve higher fabric, die-to-die, and memory frequencies” for better results during “low-latency workloads like gaming.” It adds that applying the new boost profile won’t affect your CPU’s warranty. I should hope not!
Here’s Intel’s list of processors that support the update:
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265K
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
And here is how Intel describes the steps to apply its new overclocking profile:
- Update BIOS – Ensure your motherboard is running the latest BIOS version to access Intel 200S Boost.
- Enable 200S Boost Profile – Navigate to your BIOS overclocking section and select ‘Intel 200S Boost’ under the preset profiles.
- Restart Your System – Restart your desktop PC to enable the Intel 200S Boost profile.
- Run Stability Tests – Use programs like Cinebench to verify system stability.
- Monitor Performance – Utilize monitoring software like Intel XTU to track temperatures and voltage if desired.
Intel cautions that certain motherboards and RAM modules may not work with the new overclocking profile; the company has a list of all the compatible motherboards and RAM modules on its page, along with other caveats.