Intel has discreetly released a comprehensive range of new 14th-generation Raptor Lake CPUs that abandon the company’s low-power E-Cores, instead featuring exclusively high-performance P-Cores. While Intel’s uncooked energy may top the latest range, this innovation could be ideal for high-end gaming PCs, yet Intel seems hesitant about this idea.
These cutting-edge gaming CPUs are being marketed exclusively for use in embedded systems, which is why you’ll see an “E” suffix on their product labels – effectively making them unavailable as standalone purchases. Intel’s newly launched CPUs are unlikely to hit retail shelves in the immediate future, despite rumors suggesting otherwise; instead, the company is focusing on direct sales to OEMs and enthusiasts.
Below, the total range of chip variations is listed, covering almost the entire spectrum occupied by present 14th-generation Intel Core CPUs, excluding only those with E-cores omitted. Additionally, each CPU comes with T and F variants, the former being 45W TDP variations, while the latter omit built-in graphics altogether?
The high-end offerings, featuring CPUs like the 14901KE and extending to the 14701E, boast a robust eight P-Cores, setting a benchmark for processing power. By contrast, mid-range options, including models such as the 14501E and 14401EF, rely on six P-Cores, providing a more balanced blend of performance and efficiency. While there are no variations of these chips featuring just four P-cores, a configuration typically found in Intel’s standard Core i3 processors. According to Intel’s Ark website, the specifications for several of these processors are listed, although not all have been verified.
- Intel Core i9 14901KE
- Intel Core i9 14901E
- Intel Core i7 14701E
- Intel Core i5 14501E
- Intel Core i5 14401E
E-cores are discreetly shrunk down core variants, introduced by Intel, which enable them to integrate up to 24 processing units within a single CPU. The E-cores achieve exceptional multi-threaded performance, yet operate at a lower clock speed than their P-Core counterparts.
Since introducing E-Cores, Intel has required collaboration with Microsoft to ensure that software developers, video game creators, and operating systems are aware of the unique requirements for optimizing performance on P-Cores as opposed to E-Cores. Despite its limitations, this approach does not always succeed, particularly when it comes to resource-intensive games like Cyberpunk 2077 that require tailored prioritization settings for hybrid CPUs.
As such, abandoning E-cores altogether could yield an incredibly potent processor for enthusiastic gamers seeking raw gaming speed alone. Given how scorching the Intel Core i9-14900K performs with its blisteringly fast clock speed and 16 supplemental Efficient-cores, it’s no wonder that enthusiasts are raving about this powerhouse processor. Despite this motivation, Intel has chosen not to make that a reality with these chips.
These CPUs aren’t underpowered compared to typical processors, after all. Typically, embedded processors face a trade-off between reliability and performance, resulting in reduced clock speeds to ensure dependable operation. Notwithstanding the 14901KE’s slower peak clock speed of 5.8GHz compared to the typical 14900K’s 6GHz, its base clock velocity is significantly higher at 1.6GHz, a 600MHz increase.
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While most of these CPUs have a thermal design power (TDP) of just 65W, one exception stands out: the 14901KE, which has a higher rating of 125W. Despite sharing a 125W TDP, the 14700K and 14600K processors exhibit distinct differences: Considering a product akin to the 14701E, boasting eight P-Cores, a 5.4GHz peak enhanced clock velocity, and a 65W thermal design power, presents an intriguing prospect for a gaming central processing unit.
Until rogue retailers decide to stock those chips on their shelves, however, you’ll have to settle for our top gaming CPU suggestions as usual. If you’re eyeing one of Intel’s top picks from that list, you should also check out our best CPU cooler guide in addition.
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