Intel today announced their first 200S Plus desktop processors, the Core Ultra 270K Plus and 250K Plus, complete with bold claims in their marketing materials. After some failed dumpster diving, we got our hands on a 270K by just asking for it (lesson learned). This is our very early review of the claims Intel is making about the chip.
24 Cores: False
They say the chip has 8 P-cores, and 16 E-cores. Neither of those numbers is 24.
Up to 2x Multithread Performance: True
Intel doesn't want you getting used to CPUs improving drastically every year. So the 270K is limited to only 2x the multithreaded performance of your current CPU. To ensure this promise is kept, Windows will ask you about your previous CPU on startup.
Average 15% Faster Gaming Performance: True*
Averages are easy to misrepresent. Playing on chess.com is 724% faster than before. Everything else only gained 1-2% performance. The average gains from all games tested is 15%.
Intel's Binary Optimization Tool will improve gaming performance: False
Intel says they created a tool to improve game performance at runtime for select games by compacting the binary instructions. But the pictures of the tool just show a big game of Tetris.
Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus processors will maintain compatibility with all 800-series motherboards currently on the market: False
All of them except the one you have.
On sale March 26, 2026: False
Scalpers will get the first 10 batches. You can't get one until September at the earliest.
Starting at $299: True
The price will start there. Where it'll end up, only the scalpers know.