Intel Bartlett Lake-S chip leaks with 12 P-cores and 6 GHz turbo

Intel is reportedly developing a new CPU featuring 12 P-Cores and impressive clock speeds that could reach up to 6GHz. The latest buzz surrounding Intel's Bartlett Lake-S desktop processors is centered on their potential clock speeds and overclocking capabilities.

These new chips are expected to utilize the LGA1700 socket, similar to Intel's 14th-generation Raptor Lake processors, and are rumored to include only P-Cores without any E-Cores. According to the frequent Intel tech leaker @jaykihn0 on X, the top-tier Bartlett Lake-S chip is planned to have 12 P-Cores with a maximum boost clock of 6GHz. This flagship processor is also anticipated to achieve an all-core boost clock of 5.5GHz and a base frequency of 3.4GHz.

These specifications are significant, considering that no desktop Intel processor has boasted more than eight P-cores since the introduction of the hybrid architecture. This includes high-end models like the Intel Core i9 14900KS. While it may forgo the 16 E-cores that can be beneficial for managing background tasks and multitasking, it seemingly compensates with four additional P-cores, potentially enhancing its gaming performance.

The leaker has also mentioned that the 12 P-core model will come with a locked multiplier, meaning it won't support overclocking. Although limited overclocking might still be achievable by adjusting the base clock, it comes with a significant risk of instability, making it less advisable. Fortunately, this shouldn’t be a major concern since the 6GHz clock speed is already impressive, surpassing the current Core Ultra 9 285K. Finally, @jaykihn0 has confirmed the previously rumored TDP of 125W for this chip, indicating that it won't require any special cooling solutions.

While Intel's upcoming Panther Lake series CPUs may be on the way, if you're in search of high-end gaming performance at present, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D remains the processor to beat. Featuring advanced 3D V-Cache technology, it offers a significant boost in gaming performance along with proven efficiency, making it the perfect choice for gamers who seek smooth framerates and exceptional responsiveness today. As always, for the latest news on hardware launches and industry developments, be sure to follow our dedicated hardware coverage.