According to recent reports, Intel is actively working on a novel gaming CPU featuring eight cores that will be a key component of its upcoming Arrow Lake product line. According to a recent leak, the forthcoming CPU is expected to fall under a new label and boast “substantial” performance gains compared to Intel’s existing 14th-generation Core i3 processors.
Currently, our information does not include any Core i3 CPUs in our list of top gaming CPUs, with our recommendations starting at the six-core Intel Core i5 12400F; however, this might change if Intel were to release an affordable eight-core chip that meets consumer needs.
According to credible tech insider OneRaichu, renowned for accurately forecasting Intel CPU specifications, a latest rumor has emerged regarding the Thirteenth-generation Raptor Lake HX CPU lineup, which proved accurate in its predictions of clock speeds and core configurations as recently as 2022. On submit X, OneRaichu hinted at the upcoming release of an 8-core “Extreme 3” CPU, claiming it will surpass the performance of Intel’s current 14th-gen Core i3 processors.
When probed about the matter, OneRaichu cautiously clarified that the chip would consist of four P-Cores and four E-Cores, albeit noting that this was “merely a conjecture” – an assertion that seemed less speculative to us. If such a chip does exist, its likelihood of comprising eight P-cores is extremely low. Given the constraint that Intel’s Core i3 CPUs have not more than four cores, we would speculate that this new chip will comprise four P-cores and four E-cores; alternatively, it could be a fantastic budget-friendly gaming CPU if it features six P-cores and two E-cores.
Following subsequent updates, it appears that the chip in question is actually a desktop Arrow Lake CPU, not a mobile chip, with expected monikers including the U3 205 or 215, signifying Core i3-205 or Core i3-215.
It appears earlier speculation that Intel wouldn’t release a Core Extreme 3 processor built around the Arrow Lake architecture has been officially dismissed. Intel tech leaker JayzTwoEight, not Jaykihn, corrects an initial statement that there is no “ARL-S” Intel Core Extreme 3 SKU lineup for this generation, citing new information that renders the earlier claim “invalid.”
The highly anticipated Intel Arrow Lake lineup is expected to debut by the end of 2024, raising questions about its ability to compete with AMD’s newly released Zen 5 series. It would be refreshing to have a budget-friendly desktop gaming CPU once more – it’s been a long time since we’ve been able to wholeheartedly recommend a Ryzen 3 or Core i3 processor that meets the needs of gamers on a tight budget?
