A New Intel Chip Found: Intel Core Ultra 7 254V Seen in PassMark
A new Intel chip, the Core Ultra 7 254V, was seen in a leaked PassMark test. This CPU is not in Intel's list that is for sure now, named Lunar Lake, which at this time only has the Core Ultra 7 models 268V, 266V, 258V, and 256V. This makes people ask what it is for and where it fits in the market.
How Well Does it Work? Good at One Thing, Not Great at Many
The test data for the Core Ultra 7 254V shows a very odd way of working. Even though it has 8 cores and 8 threads like other Lunar Lake chips, its work score tells a new tale.
It Does Well Alone
In jobs that use just one thread, the 254V does very well. It got 4,089 points, putting it as good as or even better than its confirmed family like the Core Ultra 7 258V and 256V. This shows that for jobs needing just one core, this chip is as swift as the top-end options.
It Does Poorly at Many Jobs
The mystery grows with its score for many cores. The 254V is the only Lunar Lake chip tested that got less than 18,000 points. It does about 12.8% worse than the Ultra 7 256V and is even slower than the basic Core Ultra 5 226V in multi-thread tests. This big fall hints it is made with limits for many-core jobs.
Why This Chip? Perfect for Small Devices
The fact this unconfirmed chip splits its power so clearly hints it has a set use. The best guess for the Core Ultra 7 254V's role is for devices like gaming handhelds or tiny PCs that have limits on power and heat.
The reason this split makes sense for this use:
- Game Power: A lot of games still need good single-core power for smooth rates and quick play. The 254V's strong single-core speed would give a great game feel.
- Heat and Battery Life: By cutting the many-core power, Intel can cut right down on the chip's max power use and heat. In a small handheld, this is key for keeping cool and making the battery last longer.
So, the Core Ultra 7 254V looks like a chip made to give the fast single-core power of a top-end chip while keeping the heat of a less strong one.
Leaked Info
From the leak, the Core Ultra 7 254V has the same L3 cache as other Core Ultra 7 200V series chips. It is thought to be set for a 17W base power (TDP) with a max turbo power of 37W, fitting it with the power needs for thin and handheld devices.
