Intel is reportedly launching two new edge-only processors that feature high-performance cores only, a feature gamers have been requesting. Rumors of a flagship 12-core Bartlett Lake-S CPU surfaced back in November, where it was claimed the part was capable of up to a 6 GHZ single-threaded boost clock rate, 3.4 GHz base clock, and 125 GHz, but also only based on using P-core only design.
No unlocked.
— Jaykihn (@jaykihn0) November 5, 2025
Only 125W SKU.
6.0 ST
5.5 all core MT
3.4 base
Gamers have longed for another CPU offering from Intel, returning to the days sans E or LPE cores where performance remained the focus. However, even as more recent reports of this 12-core and a 10-core variant have surfaced, it seems that the end of the road for the LGA 1700 socket is in sight, and Bartlett Lake-S will not be a consumer part and will only be available in OEM socketed form.
Edge.
— Jaykihn (@jaykihn0) January 16, 2026
It’s a shame because if Intel could release these processors to the PC enthusiast market at a competitive pricepoint they could be a hit there. The 253PE Ultra Core 7 10-core/20-thread processor has already been shown to compete favorably with the Intel Core i5-14500, despite having fewer cores, although it does have more L1, L2, and L3 cache. The following is from TechPowerUp, which gathered data from multiple sources.
At this point, someone is all but guaranteed to post benchmarks for the Core 9 273PTE 12-core/24-thread processor once they can get a hold of a system with it. Intel is already planning to release a 52-core Nova Lake processor this year, which could also show very impressive gaming and productivity performance. One thing is for sure: 2026 is shaping up to be an interesting year when it comes to CPU releases.
Discussion (17 replies)
Join Discussion →But not for the DIY market... if it comes with 64 gigs of ram....
I'm surprised Intel isn't selling to the DIY market - these could be the fastest gaming CPUs they make, and they could also use DDR4!
Product Managers sabotaging products once again...
"Will Not Be Available as Consumer Parts"
This has become an annoying theme lately.
Just means it's not marketed towards consumers. Doesn't mean consumers can't obtain and use them.
I read it as it being an OEM only part. So, system integrators and big names like HP and Dell.
I read it as, "we don't want to make too many of these".
Because if they were committed to manufacturing in volume, there'd be consumer releases.
I think their decision to not want to release to consumers is that on shelves or in online store warehouses, these chips suffer price cuts. But selling directly to corporates doesn't have this issue. My company is still purchasing Alder Lake Dell Optiplexes and Vostros at prices for what should be charged for Arrow Lake systems. This, unfortunately, is a sad truth that benefits distributors. They can simply claim to corporate purchase officers that the latest CPU is not in stock or too much in demand but hey, we got loads of these older ones if you want 'em and then they pay about $650 per PC with 8GB RAM because that sounds "reasonable" to them.
People can probably get them as tray CPUs through grey channels like in the old days. But it's unclear which boards would properly support them.
Someone on overclock.net has pre-ordered one so we will know for sure in less than a month (hopefully).
Yep, saw the post the other day that they're up for sale now, can't remember if it was 660 or 685 euros for the 5.9 GHz 12 core model but do remember there were three skus with different boost clock rates.
That's in quantities of 10 or more. 750+ euros for single order.
That's pretty expensive for a 10 or 12c Raptor Lake.
They have no competition. Who else has that many cores on a single die?
Yep and since it's not a consumer part manufactured quantities are limited to OEM/business channels which translates to a smaller volumes being available.
I think is was ASRock, but someone recently announced their LGA 1700 boards will not support these (there was some speculation that if you could get one that you might be able to drop one in). Basically if anyone does get one, it'll need the OEM style board to go with it (I forget the chipset/socket model #).
Possibly H770 or Q760 chipset based mobos.
Found this: https://www.asrockind.com/article/233