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| The upcoming Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and Core Ultra 7 270K Plus desktop CPUs have been listed by a reputed retailer. |
Just days after we saw the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus pop up on Geekbench, a major new leak appears to give us the full spec sheet for Intel's impending desktop refresh. This time, the details come from a retail listing, hinting that these updated gaming CPUs might be closer to launch than we thought.
The listings, spotted by renowned tipster @momomo_us on the website of Indian retailer PrimeABGB, include both the flagship Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus. While we always treat early retailer pages with caution—they can often be placeholders—the specifics align with expectations for a mid-cycle refresh, adding a layer of credibility.
You can see the tipster's original discovery here:
Let's break down what these listings tell us about Intel's strategy to bolster its desktop lineup before the next architectural shift.
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| Listed specifications of the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus desktop CPU. |
Core Ultra 7 270K Plus: The Core Count Boost
The more interesting shift appears to be with the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus. According to the PrimeABGB page, it is set to succeed the current Core Ultra 7 265K not with radically higher clocks, but with four additional efficiency cores.
- Expected Configuration: 24 Cores (8 Performance-cores + 16 Efficiency-cores)
- P-core Boost Clock: 5.5 GHz
- E-core Boost Clock: 4.7 GHz (a noted 100 MHz bump)
- L3 Cache: 36 MB
This brings its total core count to 24, matching the current flagship Core Ultra 9 285K. The move suggests Intel is focusing on improving multi-threaded throughput and efficiency for the upper-mid-range chip, potentially giving it a stronger edge in productivity tasks and modern games that leverage E-cores, without a significant price premium.
Core Ultra 9 290K Plus: Pushing the Clock Speed Envelope
For the absolute performance crown, the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus listing shows a more traditional path: pushing clock speeds further. It retains the same 8P+16E core configuration as the 285K but squeezes out more frequency.
- Expected Configuration: 24 Cores (8 Performance-cores + 16 Efficiency-cores)
- P-core Boost Clock: 5.6 GHz (+100 MHz)
- E-core Boost Clock: 4.8 GHz
- Thermal Velocity Boost: Up to 5.8 GHz
- L3 Cache: 36 MB
The 5.8 GHz Thermal Velocity Boost frequency is the headline grabber, maintaining Intel's claim to the highest clock speeds for enthusiast gamers who prioritize raw single-threaded performance.
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| Listed specifications of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus desktop CPU. |
Availability and Pricing: A Call Away?
Notably, PrimeABGB's listing does not show prices. Instead, it encourages customers to "call for price," a practice that sometimes indicates a retailer has preliminary stock or imminent delivery information. However, it's equally possible this is a standard placeholder for unannounced products.
As with all leaks, this information remains unconfirmed by Intel. The "K Plus" moniker itself points to a refined version of the existing "Arrow Lake-S" architecture—a common tactic to extend a product lineup's competitiveness. If accurate, these chips aim to offer gamers and creators a slight performance uplift, with the Core Ultra 7 gaining a particularly appealing core count advantage.
What do you think about this refresh strategy? Is a core count bump on the Core Ultra 7 more appealing than a slight frequency increase on the Core Ultra 9 for your needs? Let us know in the comments below.