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China-exclusive Intel Core Ultra 5 230F Comes with Unique IHS Design

btarunr

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Intel tends to release exclusive desktop processor SKUs for the Chinese market, which tend to come with core configurations and other specs not found in regular SKUs available in the West. The latest such SKU is the Core Ultra 5 230F "Arrow Lake." This chip comes with a unique IHS (integrated heat spreader) design that sees the bulge over the die contracted to a corner. It still has the metal flanks that receive pressure from the socket's retention module. The chip is positioned a notch above the Core Ultra 5 225F, but with an identical core configuration of 6P+4E.

The China-exclusive Core Ultra 5 230F comes with clock speeds of 3.40 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost for the P-cores, while its E-cores tick at 2.90 GHz base, and 4.40 GHz boost. In comparison, the generally available Core Ultra 5 225F does 3.30 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost for the P-cores, and 2.70 GHz base with 4.40 GHz boost for the E-cores. Both the 230F and 225F lack integrated graphics. As non-K SKUs, both lack unlocked base frequency multipliers. Each of the six "Lion Cove" P-cores comes with 3 MB of dedicated L2 cache; while the sole "Skymont" E-core cluster shares 4 MB of L2 cache among its cores. The P-cores and E-core cluster share 20 MB of L3 cache. What's with the oddly shaped IHS? We have a theory. It's likely that the chip underneath has the same compact Compute tile as the "Arrow Lake-H" mobile processor, which physically only has 6P+8E cores and 24 MB of L3 cache. The modular nature of "Arrow Lake" also makes it possible for the Graphics tile to be physically absent on F-SKUs. We can't wait for someone to delid this chip.



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I saw the name and instantly thought it was a mobile chip. some will definitely eventally make its way to AliExpress then its off to the races to see if it can be OC'd and how cool and efficient it runs.
 
This CPU is clearly targeting gamers with the low E core count, but I doubt it will sell well given the negativity around Arrow Lake's performance in games.
 
6 performance cores in 2025 on i5, without HT, is Intel going back to Coffee Lake days ?
 
Why the hell does Intel make special chips for China seeing the poor relationship them and the US have?
 
6 performance cores in 2025 on i5, without HT, is Intel going back to Coffee Lake days ?
I'd wager these are primarily intended for the esports audience. Esport games don't give a shit about having more than 4 cores (maybe even 2).
If the price is right then... Why is this a problem?
I'm more surprised this chip even has E-cores, but it'll probably have to do with the performance loss of having no HTT.
 
Why the hell does Intel make special chips for China seeing the poor relationship them and the US have?
Its not so much that these are "special" chips, it that the Chinese market has proven to be a good place to sell off odd-ball bins of partially defective chips. AMD & Nvidia also done similar Chinese launches.
 
Why would they care? Profits are profits.
Why not give it to the rest of the world too?
Its not so much that these are "special" chips, it that the Chinese market has proven to be a good place to sell off odd-ball bins of partially defective chips. AMD & Nvidia also done similar Chinese launches.
Are you saying Western consumers wouldn't buy?
 
Why not give it to the rest of the world too?

Are you saying Western consumers wouldn't buy?
I think the quantity of such products maybe just in line with the capacity of the Chinese market, special edition makes consumers feel special, it's a profitable strategy.
 
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