Intel’s latest Core Ultra processor, Arrow Lake, has recently come under scrutiny for its performance, particularly when utilized under various power settings in Windows 11. The findings from multiple reviews, including those from PCWorld, indicate that the processor’s capabilities can be significantly hampered unless it is operated in the “Best Performance” mode.
Intel’s glitch means you need to make an adjustment
During testing, it became apparent that the Arrow Lake chip only performs optimally when Windows is set to its highest performance mode. When reviewers adjusted the power settings to “Balanced” or “Power Saving,” the results were startling. The performance dropped by 55% compared to its predecessor, the 14900K, and even further to a staggering 67% on the Power Saver plan. In contrast, when set to “Best Performance,” the Core Ultra 9 285K showcased its true potential, competing effectively with rival processors.
This discrepancy in performance was echoed by other tech reviewers, including Gamers’ Nexus and TechSpot. Their tests revealed varying results across different games and Windows versions, highlighting the inconsistency in performance when using the latest Windows 11 feature update. For instance, while Cyberpunk: 2077 showed a peak frame rate of 129 fps on Windows 11 23H2, it dropped to 119 fps on the newer 24H2 update. Conversely, Homeworld 3 demonstrated the opposite trend, with frame rates falling from 87 fps to 70 fps when switching from 24H2 to 23H2.
Intel has acknowledged these performance concerns, confirming that all their testing was conducted on Windows 11 24H2. A company representative stated, “We are aware of and looking into reports of lower-than-expected performance in Windows 24H2 using the Balanced power mode. Consistent with our testing guidance for prior generations, we recommend using the Windows Best Performance power mode.”
As Intel navigates these challenges, it finds itself in a familiar position. AMD’s Ryzen 9000 desktop chips also faced hurdles upon launch, leaving room for Intel to capitalize on the situation. However, both companies must address these performance issues to ensure their processors operate seamlessly with Windows, particularly as users increasingly rely on optimal performance for gaming and productivity tasks.
