Intel’s upcoming Core Ultra (Arrow Lake-S) desktop processors are set to introduce the LGA1851 socket and Intel’s 800 series desktop chipset. The leaked platform map reveals significant upgrades, including 32 PCIe lanes for improved connectivity options. The allocation of PCIe lanes is designed strategically, with 16 lanes dedicated to a PCI-Express 5.0 x16 PEG slot for discrete graphics cards. Additionally, there are eight lanes for the chipset bus under the DMI 4.0 x8 protocol, offering high-speed bandwidth.
Unlike previous architectures, the block diagram shows two M.2 NVMe slots connected to the CPU, one supporting Gen 5 x4 and the other Gen 4 x4. This configuration is similar to what AMD’s “Raphael” and “Granite Ridge” processors offer. The system agent for the Arrow Lake-S platform supports 20 Gen 5 lanes and 12 Gen 4 lanes, allowing for expanded connectivity options. This includes a x16 Gen 5 PEG bus, a x4 Gen 5 M.2 slot, and a x8 DMI 4.0 chipset bus, along with an additional CPU-connected M.2 x4 Gen 4 slot.
The processor’s support for high-bandwidth devices like Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 controllers, as well as memory speed improvements, is likely to come from the flexibility provided by the two x4 links connected to the CPU. The memory support on Arrow Lake-S is exclusively DDR5, with potential for memory kits exceeding 10,000 MT/s. The rumored flagship 800 series chipset, possibly the Intel Z890, will offer additional PCIe Gen 4 lanes and various USB 3.2 configurations.
Intel plans to launch the Arrow Lake-S processors with the Z890 chipset in Q4 2024, starting with unlocked K and KF models. The lineup will expand in early 2025 with non-unlocked models and chipsets like the B860, H870, and H810. These expansions aim to broaden the platform’s market reach and application spectrum.
In summary, Intel’s upcoming Arrow Lake-S desktop processors represent a significant advancement in terms of connectivity options, memory support, and chipset features. The leaked platform map reveals a strategic allocation of PCIe lanes and enhanced support for high-speed devices and memory configurations. The launch of these processors, along with the Z890 chipset, is expected to bring notable improvements to Intel’s desktop computing offerings by the end of 2024.
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