Core Ultra 200: Intel claims to have corrected 4 of the 5 problems identified

Last night, Intel released its feedback on the disappointing launch of the Core Ultra 200 desktop processors, also known as Arrow Lake, aimed primarily at performance enthusiasts and gamers.

Disappointing in-game performance

Intel acknowledges having identified no less than five problems that could have caused problematic behavior of its processors and resulted in performance below expectations.

For our part, we never tell you behind the scenes of testing computer components, but it often happens that testers act as beta testers. We discover problems, bugs, performance issues in certain games or certain applications that we report to the manufacturer, who then corrects them with new drivers or new BIOS. It happens that we receive a BIOS or a “magic” driver which resolves the problems encountered the day before the publication of the tests. Far from complaining, this is the life we ​​have chosen.

5 problems identified on the Core Ultra 200

Thus, for the launch of Intel's Core Ultra 200, problems were identified by all journalists around the world that Intel was not able to address in time for the launch on October 24.

• Problem with Windows power profiles (energy saving/balanced/performance) depending on the versions of Windows 11 (23H2 or 24H2), Power Plans were not respected.
• The Performance Optimizer (APO) application was not working.
• Blue screens could occur with anti-cheat systems in certain games.
• Configuration errors in the first BIOS.
• A new optimized BIOS

4 issues already fixed

For the first two issues, Windows update KB5044384 provides a fix. We didn't encounter these issues in our testing because we don't use APO and primarily tested in Performance and Balance mode.

For the third problem, now corrected, apparently only a few Epic games with an anti-cheat system (Fortnite?) were impacted. Intel has distributed new Easy Anti-Cheat drivers to Epic Games, fixing the issue.

The BIOS misconfiguration issue related to options like Resizable BAR not being enabled by default. Intel has worked with motherboard manufacturers to make these options enabled by default.

A microcode in January for the 5th

Concerning the 0x114 microcode, which promises performance gains, Intel is cautious by announcing gains of the order of “single digit” (between 1 and 9%) in 35 games tested. This microcode is already distributed in the BIOS of certain motherboard manufacturers such as Asrock, but the first feedback is not very encouraging as the editor of CapFrameX points out.

For our part, we are waiting for the BIOS for our Asus ROG Z890 Hero motherboard equipped with this microcode in order to test one of the Core Ultra 200s in our possession before making a decision.

With this feedback, Intel is playing the card of transparency on its Core Ultra 200 processors, but it must be admitted that the mountain gives birth to a mouse. We will wait for the BIOS to be available in mid-January before making a definitive decision.