Future Intel Core Ultra processor series will feature more overclockable models than prior generations, according to comments made by the company during a recent interview. In short, the company wants to expand the reach of overclocking beyond enthusiast and mainstream corners, bringing the budget market into the fold.
Speaking to tech outlet PC Games Hardware, Intel’s VP and GM of its enthusiast channel, Robert Hallock provided a glimpse of the company’s ambitions to bring overclocking to a wider audience. “You will see more unlocked SKUs over time, that is the goal. That should not be a feature reserved for the people paying the most amount of money.”
Over the past several processor generations, Intel has set the overclocking floor at its Core i/Ultra 5 models, with the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus serving as the most recent example. This currently leaves PC builders on tight budgets, who’d typically steer towards affordable Core i/Ultra 3 CPUs, without any options. However, Hallock’s comments suggest this longstanding approach is due a shakeup.
Hallock doesn’t specify when exactly we can expect this change, beyond a broad intent to deliver it in the company’s roadmap. This choice of language doesn’t outright rule out the possibility that Nova Lake CPUs will be the first chips to usher in this new era of overclocking, but this seems unlikely if you take recently-leaked model lists at face value.
I just hope Intel doesn’t forget to expand overclocking support across its chipsets too. At the moment, only Z890 motherboards support the feature, while its more-affordable B860 options only support memory overclocking and H810 boards get squat. If the company is serious about lowering the barrier to entry, it’ll need to offer suitable chipsets and CPUs in equal measure.
In the meantime, perhaps rumours of a Raptor Lake Refresh can provide some affordable upgrades to anyone looking to squeeze more out of their LGA1700 system. If you’re hungry to learn more about your current options, check out our best CPU guide for today’s top chips.
