In a weird twist, Intel's Core Ultra 5 245HX is allegedly faster than the desktop Core Ultra 5 245 in PassMark, featuring better single-core and multi-core scores.

Intel is set to launch the Arrow Lake-S refresh in the latter part of this year and, clashing with previous rumors, it apparently doesn't even have a new NPU. The company might only be overhauling the clock speeds for its upcoming desktop lineup.

Intel has started upstream Linux patches for Nova Lake, its next-gen CPU family set to replace the 20-year-old Family 6 era. Classified under Family 18, Nova Lake will power desktops, laptops, and possibly handhelds, with early groundwork ensuring Linux readiness well ahead of its 2026 launch.