Anticipation is building as Gigabyte has officially announced support for the highly awaited Intel Arrow Lake “Core Ultra 200S Plus” Refresh CPUs through its updated BIOS for Z890 motherboards. This move marks a significant step forward for tech enthusiasts eager to embrace the next generation of Intel processors.
Gigabyte & ASRock: Leading the Charge on Arrow Lake Support
Gigabyte has taken the lead in motherboard innovation by unveiling BIOS updates that cater to Intel’s upcoming Core Ultra 200S Plus Refresh series. The newest CPU microcode, labeled “m_82_c0662_0000011B” or 0x11B, alongside the latest Intel Management Engine firmware, is now available for Z890 motherboards. This BIOS update is poised to support the incoming Core Ultra 2-series processors, signaling a readiness for the Intel Arrow Lake Refresh, expected to be showcased at CES 2026. The update is anticipated to include new PLUS SKUs, promising enhanced clock speeds and core improvements.
In a parallel development, ASRock has also launched its latest Z890 BIOS update, delivering a 0x11D microcode dated October 2025, along with a new Intel ME firmware (v2095). These advancements indicate that motherboard manufacturers are gearing up for Intel’s imminent CPU release.
Upcoming CPU Lineups and Compatibility
The tech landscape is poised for a refresh as both Intel and AMD prepare to update their desktop CPU lines. Intel is set to introduce the Arrow Lake CPUs under the “Core Ultra 200S Plus” series, while AMD is gearing up to release new 3D V-Cache SKUs based on the Zen 5 core architecture. Major advancements such as Intel’s support for native CUDIMM DDR5 speeds of up to 7200 MT/s are on the horizon, providing a notable leap from the current 6400 MT/s. For users with Intel Z890 or 800-series motherboards planning upgrades, keeping the BIOS updated is highly recommended to harness the benefits of these refreshed CPUs.
Intel Core Ultra 200S “Arrow Lake” and Arrow Lake Refresh CPU Specs:
| CPU | Cores/Threads | Base Clock (P/E Core) | Max Boost (P/E Core) | Cache (L3 / L2) | Memory Support | TDP (PL1 / PL2) | Price (SEP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 9 290K Plus | 24/24 (8+16) | 3.7 / 3.2 GHz | 5.6 / 4.8 GHz | 36 MB / 40 MB | DDR5-7200 | 125W / 250W | TBD |
| Core Ultra 9 285K | 24/24 (8+16) | 3.7 / 3.2 GHz | 5.5 / 4.6 GHz | 36 MB / 40 MB | DDR5-6400 | 125W / 250W | $589 US |
| Core Ultra 7 270K Plus | 24/24 (8+16) | 3.7 / 3.2 GHz | 5.5 / 4.7 GHz | 36 MB / 40 MB | DDR5-7200 | 125W / 250W | TBD |
| Core Ultra 7 265K | 20/20 (8+12) | 3.9 / 3.3 GHz | 5.4 / 4.6 GHz | 30 MB / 36 MB | DDR5-6400 | 125W / 250W | $394 US |
| Core Ultra 7 265KF | 20/20 (8+12) | 3.9 / 3.3 GHz | 5.4 / 4.6 GHz | 30 MB / 36 MB | DDR5-6400 | 125W / 250W | $379 US |
| Core Ultra 5 250K Plus | 18/18 (6+12) | 4.2 / 3.5 GHz | 5.3 / 4.7 GHz | 24 MB / 26 MB ? | DDR5-7200 | 125W / 159W | TBD |
| Core Ultra 5 245K | 14/14 (6+8) | 4.2 / 3.6 GHz | 5.2 / 4.6 GHz | 24 MB / 26 MB | DDR5-6400 | 125W / 159W | $309 US |
| Core Ultra 5 245KF | 14/14 (6+8) | 4.2 / 3.6 GHz | 5.2 / 4.6 GHz | 24 MB / 26 MB | DDR5-6400 | 125W / 159W | $294 US |