Korean technology outlet BullsLab (YouTube) has published one of the first reviews of Intel’s Core Ultra 3 205, the entry-level processor in the upcoming Arrow Lake desktop lineup for the LGA1851 socket. The chip is designed to replace the Core i3 series in Intel’s product stack and serves as the most affordable option for those building mainstream desktop systems on the new platform.
The Core Ultra 3 205 is configured with four performance (P) cores based on the new Lion Cove architecture and four efficiency (E) cores built on Skymont. Each P-core includes 3 MB of L2 cache, while the E-core cluster comes with 4 MB of shared L2 cache. Together, the processor provides 15 MB of shared L3 cache. Boost frequencies reach 4.90 GHz on the P-cores and 4.20 GHz on the E-cores, giving it a noticeable uplift compared to the outgoing Core i3-14100.
Integrated GPU and NPU
On the graphics side, the chip integrates two Xe cores, down from four on higher-end Arrow Lake models. While scaled back, the design still benefits from architectural updates and driver optimizations. In addition, the processor includes Intel’s 13 TOPS Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which supports AI-accelerated tasks and upcoming Windows features. This ensures that even the entry-level model retains some of the modern capabilities introduced across the Arrow Lake family.
Performance Results
In BullsLab’s tests, the Core Ultra 3 205 showed clear improvements over the Core i3-14100. In Cinebench R23, the processor achieved higher scores in both multithreaded and single-threaded performance. The gains were more pronounced in multithreaded workloads, thanks to the addition of efficiency cores.
The integrated GPU performance also saw a substantial jump, with 3DMark Time Spy results indicating up to 75 percent higher performance compared to the i3-14100. This improvement makes the processor more capable for light gaming, multimedia workloads, and GPU-accelerated applications, even with only two Xe cores.
Market Position
Intel has not yet disclosed pricing or release dates for the Core Ultra 3 205, but it is expected to launch alongside other Arrow Lake desktop CPUs later this year. Positioned as the entry point for the LGA1851 platform, the processor is likely to appeal to system builders and users seeking a cost-effective option with updated CPU cores, improved graphics performance, and integrated AI acceleration.
The early results indicate that the Core Ultra 3 205 is a notable step forward for Intel’s budget-tier desktop processors, balancing modern features with accessible performance.
