Intel’s latest "0x114" microcode release seems to be falling short in addressing the lingering performance challenges faced by their Arrow Lake processors, with new test results indicating a further decline in performance.
Intel’s Arrow Lake Desktop CPUs Struggle in the Consumer Market as BIOS Update Issues Persist
Intel is definitely having a tough ride with their desktop CPUs lately. Not only did they face challenges with the "Raptor Lake Refresh" series due to overheating problems, but now a new set of issues has surfaced with their Arrow Lake-S processors. For those not in the loop, Intel has been grappling with a noticeable variance in ARL-S performance when compared to their internal assessments, which led to the recent release of the "0x114" microcode. This update was intended to tackle multiple root issues highlighted in their recent "Field Update." Sadly, it appears the problems are far from being over.
In a revealing tweet from @CapFrameX, the latest benchmarks indicate that the 0x114 microcode didn’t succeed in fixing the Arrow Lake-S issues. When testing with Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K on the popular game Cyberpunk 2077, there was an alarming drop in average FPS—around 18%. This is a significant drop, especially when considering previous declines. Despite Intel’s promises of a "double-digit" performance boost with the new BIOS update, these initial results seem to tell a different story altogether.
Memory latency has also taken a hit, increasing by approximately 14%, which is certainly not the news users were hoping for. It’s worth noting that this is one of the more reputable tests conducted with the new 0x114 microcode. To truly confirm the issues with the ARL-S BIOS update, additional testing will be needed. Nevertheless, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Intel may need to rethink its strategy for its desktop CPU lineup.
Looking ahead, Intel is planning a media briefing at CES 2025 to talk about the Core Ultra 200S performance setbacks. This will likely be the next opportunity for some clarity regarding the future of Intel’s Arrow Lake-S series. In the meantime, ARL-S users will have to remain patient, awaiting an official update from Intel to determine whether these benchmarks reflect a widespread issue across all systems using the 0x114 microcode.
