Market rumors suggest that Intel is on the verge of launching its Bartlett Lake-S desktop CPU series. This new product is not only aimed at industrial applications but may also bring surprises to the consumer market. Recently, Intel’s Linux engineers have begun providing support for this processor, with new patches added to the Linux kernel indicating accelerated development progress. Simultaneously, an MSI overclocking expert confirmed that the latest AIDA64 patch supports Bartlett Lake-S, hinting at its imminent release. This processor, with its all Performance-core (P-Core) design and compatibility with existing platforms, is expected to help Intel regain ground in the highly competitive CPU market.
Bartlett Lake-S was initially positioned for the industrial sector, targeting high-performance scenarios such as AI workloads, media processing, and data analysis. Early reports suggested that this series would not be aimed at ordinary consumers, but the latest developments indicate that Intel has adjusted its strategy and plans to launch a consumer-grade version. Analysts believe this decision may be related to the underwhelming performance of Arrow Lake-S in the desktop market. Intel hopes to enhance product appeal through Bartlett Lake-S, meeting the performance demands of gamers and high-end users.
The biggest highlight of this series is its all P-Core configuration, abandoning Efficiency-cores (E-Core) to provide more consistent single-threaded performance and lower scheduling complexity. The product line covers three power segments: 125W, 65W, and 45W, offering various models, including the 12-core Core 9, 10-core Core 7, and 8-core Core 5. There is currently no low-power Core 3 model. Compared to the traditional hybrid architecture, the all P-Core design has advantages in high-load tasks such as gaming, content creation, and professional applications, especially suitable for users pursuing ultimate performance.
Bartlett Lake-S utilizes the LGA 1700 socket, compatible with existing 600 and 700 series motherboards. This means users can upgrade without replacing their motherboards, significantly reducing hardware upgrade costs. The flexibility of supporting both DDR4 and DDR5 memory further enhances its applicability, catering to consumers with different budgets and performance requirements. Additionally, this processor is based on an optimized version of the Raptor Lake architecture, using the Intel 7 process, and is expected to offer improvements in both performance and power efficiency compared to its predecessors.
Market data shows that Intel still holds a dominant share in the global CPU market, but the rise of AMD in recent years cannot be ignored. In the fourth quarter of 2024, AMD’s share in the consumer CPU market approached 40%, with Intel experiencing a decline compared to previous years. Especially in the high-end workstation and gaming markets, AMD’s Ryzen 9000 series has gained more user favor due to its high performance and cost-effectiveness. The launch of Bartlett Lake-S is seen as a direct response from Intel to AMD’s competition, aiming to attract gamers and professional users with its all P-Core design and high compatibility.
In terms of software ecosystem support, Bartlett Lake-S is rapidly expanding. In addition to Linux kernel patches, updates to performance testing tools like AIDA64 also provide a better user experience for consumers. Intel also plans to optimize drivers to ensure the new processor performs optimally in games and productivity software. In the coming months, more motherboard manufacturers are likely to release BIOS updates to further enhance compatibility with Bartlett Lake-S.
Regarding the release date, industry insiders expect the consumer-grade Bartlett Lake-S to be launched in the second quarter of 2025, with the 12-core pure P-Core version possibly delayed until the third quarter. Intel has not yet announced specific pricing, but considering its positioning in the high-end market, the price is likely to be comparable to the existing Core i7 and Core i9 series. Combined with the widespread adoption of the LGA 1700 platform, this processor is expected to become a popular choice for desktop upgrades in 2025.
The release of Intel’s Bartlett Lake-S not only demonstrates its continued innovation in the field of high-performance computing but also reflects the company’s flexible strategy in the face of market competition. The all P-Core design and compatibility with existing platforms provide consumers with more choices, while the comprehensive support from ecosystems like Linux ensures its broad applicability. As the release date approaches, whether this processor can exceed expectations in terms of performance and market performance is something technology enthusiasts will be watching closely.