Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus socket: LGA 1851
The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus uses the LGA 1851 socket. It is the 24-core Arrow Lake Refresh processor for high-end desktops, needing an 800 series DDR5 motherboard with cooling sized for 125 W and turbo peaks above it.
- Socket
- LGA 1851
- Launched
- March 26, 2026
- Cores and threads
- 24 and 24
- Base power
- 125 W
- Codename
- Arrow Lake Refresh
- Segment
- Desktop
- Family
- Intel Core Ultra 7
- Clocks
- 3.7 / 5.5 GHz
Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus specifications
| Cores | 24 (8 Performance-cores and 16 Efficient-cores) |
|---|---|
| Threads | 24 (no Hyper-Threading) |
| Core architecture | Lion Cove (P-cores) and Skymont (E-cores) |
| P-core clocks | 3.7 GHz base, up to 5.5 GHz peak (5.4 GHz P-core turbo) |
| E-core clocks | 3.2 GHz base, up to 4.7 GHz boost |
| Cache | 36 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) and 40 MB total L2 |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 125 W |
| Maximum turbo power | 250 W |
| Manufacturing process | TSMC N3B (compute tile) |
| Memory support | DDR5 up to 7200 MT/s, two channels, up to 256 GB |
| PCI Express | Up to 24 lanes (PCIe 5.0 and 4.0): 1x16 plus 2x4 |
| Integrated graphics | Intel Graphics, 4 Xe-cores, up to 2.0 GHz |
| NPU | Intel AI Boost, 13 TOPS |
| ECC memory | Yes (where the board enables it) |
| Multiplier | Unlocked (K series) |
| Package | FCLGA1851 |
| Cooler in the box | None |
| Launch price | $289 to $299 (Intel RCP at launch) |
Motherboard and chipset compatibility
Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus needs a motherboard with a LGA 1851 socket. The table shows which chipset series accept it.
| Series | Chipsets | Support |
|---|---|---|
| 800 series | Z890, B860, H810, Q870, W880 | Works out of the box Intel says these boards should start without a BIOS update, though updating first is still recommended. |
Board makers publish a CPU support list for every model. Check it for your exact board before buying. Chipset details for LGA 1851.
LGA 1851 at a glance
| Type | LGA, 1,851 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | 45.0 × 37.5 mm |
| Introduced | October 2024 |
| Memory | DDR5 only |
| Cooler mounting holes | 78 × 78 mm |
What the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is
The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is a 24 core desktop processor from Intel's Core Ultra 200S Plus family, released on March 26, 2026 under the codename Arrow Lake Refresh. It carries 8 Performance-cores and 16 Efficient-cores for 24 cores and, with no Hyper-Threading, 24 threads. Performance-cores run 3.7 GHz base with boost to 5.4 GHz alongside a 5.5 GHz peak, while Efficient-cores run 3.2 GHz base with boost to 4.7 GHz. The 36 MB Intel Smart Cache is shared with 40 MB of total L2.
Intel rates the base power at 125 W with maximum turbo power at 250 W. The compute tile uses TSMC N3B. Integrated Intel Graphics with 4 Xe-cores up to 2.0 GHz cover display output, and an Intel AI Boost NPU with 13 TOPS covers local AI features. ECC memory is supported where the board enables it.
The chip launched at $299 and effectively replaced the Core Ultra 9 285K at the top of Intel's practical stack. Against the Core Ultra 7 265K it adds four Efficient-cores and 6 MB of L3 cache with a faster die to die interconnect and DDR5-7200 support, and review coverage measured results within reach of the 285K in creation work with gaming gains where the new binary optimisation tool applies. The K suffix marks the unlocked multiplier, and Intel includes no cooler with K-series processors.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The 270K Plus goes into an LGA 1851 socket. Only motherboards with 800 series chipsets (Z890, B860, H810, Q870, W880) carry it, and Intel's compatibility pages list the Plus chips across that series. It is not compatible with the 600 and 700 series boards of LGA 1700.
Z890 is the natural match for this chip, since it unlocks K-series multipliers and memory overclocking together. B860 runs rated clocks with memory tuning for builders who never touch multipliers, while W880 aims the same silicon at workstation builds. Board choice matters more than usual here because the 250 W turbo peak rewards strong power delivery.
The refresh reuses the existing socket, so current 800 series boards accept the chip, ideally after a BIOS update to firmware that knows the Plus stepping. LGA 1851 boards take DDR5 only, so DDR4 modules cannot transfer. Intel specifies DDR5-7200 across two channels to 256 GB.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
The processor provides up to 24 PCI Express lanes across PCIe 5.0 and 4.0, split by the board in patterns such as 1x16 plus 2x4 for graphics and NVMe storage. High-end builds can feed a top tier graphics card at full x16 while keeping two fast NVMe links for scratch and project drives. The chipset adds further lanes for networking and extra devices.
Cooling must handle 125 W base with turbo peaks to 250 W in heavy all-core work, so a large tower air cooler or liquid cooling suits this chip. Mounting holes keep the 78 mm pattern shared with LGA 1700, so many LGA 1700 coolers carry over with maker approval. The CPU cooler compatibility by socket guide covers the patterns. No cooler ships in the box.
Memory overclocking through XMP profiles works on supporting boards, including CUDIMM kits for higher speeds. The official 7200 MT/s rating already exceeds what the original Arrow Lake parts promised, which helps memory bound creation tasks without any tuning.
Upgrade paths
Within LGA 1851 the 270K Plus sits at the top of the practical stack, matching the 24-core layout of the Core Ultra 9 285K below its peak clocks. The step down to the 18-core Core Ultra 5 250K Plus saves money for gaming-first builds, while the step up to the 285K buys little outside narrow cases. Coming from an older platform the move needs a new board and DDR5 memory.
Twenty four threads across the hybrid layout suit rendering, compiling and streaming alongside gaming. Lion Cove Performance-cores take latency sensitive work while the doubled Efficient-core cluster absorbs throughput jobs. The 4 Xe-core integrated graphics cover office use and second displays, and the 13 TOPS NPU covers local AI features with enough system memory.
Intel's next desktop generation is reported to use a different socket, so LGA 1851 may not extend past the current family plus its refresh. On this socket the 270K Plus is close to the ceiling, which makes it a destination purchase rather than a stepping stone.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus use?
It uses LGA 1851, written FCLGA1851 in Intel's documents.
Does the 270K Plus have integrated graphics?
Yes. Intel Graphics with 4 Xe-cores up to 2.0 GHz drive displays and media, which covers office use and troubleshooting without a card.
What changed over the Core Ultra 7 265K?
It moves from 20 cores to 24 with four extra Efficient-cores, adds 6 MB of L3 cache, lifts the die to die interconnect to 3.0 GHz and raises official memory support to DDR5-7200.
Is the 270K Plus close to the Core Ultra 9 285K?
Review coverage measured it within reach of the Core Ultra 9 285K in creation work at a much lower launch price, which is why Intel cancelled the planned 290K Plus above it.
What cooling does the 270K Plus need?
A large tower air cooler or liquid cooling. The 250 W turbo peak exceeds what small stock style coolers handle, and no cooler ships in the box.
Sources and verification
- Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus specifications (Intel ARK)
- Why we spent 50+ hours retesting Intel's Core Ultra 270K Plus and 250K Plus (Tom's Hardware)
- Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus review: 6 key things to know (PCWorld)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .