Intel “forgets” to announce a new CPU, so ASUS does it instead
We all expected an Arrow Lake refresh, even after some recent talk about Intel dropping it. CES 2026 came and went without the update, but new clues suggest the series was never meant to launch at CES in the first place.
ASUS has published a post on X stating that W880, Z890, Q870, and B860/H810 motherboards will support new Arrow Lake Refresh desktop CPUs. ASUS does not name the processors, but leaks have consistently pointed to the “Core Ultra 200K Plus” refresh, with K-series refresh SKUs first.
ASUS also says support will arrive via a BIOS update scheduled for late January. That timing suggests the desktop CPUs will not launch before those BIOS builds are out.
🚀 Ready for the future of Intel! #ASUS W880, Z890, Q870, B860 & H810 motherboards are 🧠✨ BIOS READY — rolling out in late January.
All set for Intel Arrow Lake Refresh! Upgrade smoothly. Next-gen power is coming! #ProWS #ROG #Strix #TUFGaming #ProArt #Prime #motherboard pic.twitter.com/6TIQLxBF4z
— ASUS (@ASUS) January 22, 2026
A Chinese hardware reviewer Golden Pig Upgrade claims the refresh is now tracking for March or April, rather than January. Posts also link the same “Plus” branding to mobile HX parts, following recent “290HX Plus” chatter, which suggests Intel may roll out desktop and HX under the same refresh wave.
What the refresh brings, based on current leaks, looks like higher clocks and a memory support bump, while keeping the same platform. This is also expected to be the last major update for LGA-1851, at least based on current roadmaps and leaks.
| Arrow Lake vs Arrow Lake Refresh | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VideoCardz.com | Ultra 9 290K Plus🆕 | Ultra 9 285K | Ultra 7 270K Plus🆕 | Ultra 7 265K | Ultra 5 250K Plus🆕 | Ultra 5 245K |
| Cores (P+E) | 8P+16E | 8P+16E | 8P+16E | 8P+12E | 6P+12E | 6P+8E |
| TVB | 5.8 GHz | 5.7 GHz | – | – | – | – |
| Turbo Boost Max | 5.6 GHz | 5.6 GHz | 5.5 GHz | 5.5 GHz | – | – |
| P-Core Turbo | 5.6 GHz | 5.5 GHz | 5.4 GHz | 5.4 GHz | 5.3 GHz | 5.2 GHz |
| E-Core Turbo | 4.8 GHz | 4.6 GHz | 4.7 GHz | 4.6 GHz | 4.7 GHz | 4.6 GHz |
| P-Core Base | 3.7 GHz | 3.7 GHz | 3.7 GHz | 3.9 GHz | 4.2 GHz | 4.2 GHz |
| E-Core Base | 3.2 GHz | 3.2 GHz | 3.2 GHz | 3.3 GHz | 3.5 GHz | 3.6 GHz |
| Memory Support | DDR5-7200 | DDR5-6400 | DDR5-7200 | DDR5-6400 | DDR5-7200 | DDR5-6400 |
| Base Power | 125 W | 125 W | 125 W | 125 W | 125 W | 125 W |
| Max Turbo Power | 250 W | 250 W | 250 W | 250 W | 159 W | 159 W |
Source: ASUS
