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The original was posted on /r/hardware by /u/Noble00_ on 2024-10-25 14:57:30+00:00.

Intel Core Ultra 200S Content Creation Review

Intel’s Core Ultra 200S series of processors achieve a small uplift over the last-generation Raptor Lake parts, with gains ranging from nothing to 15% depending on the application and workflow. Unlike AMD’s recent Ryzen 9000 series, there are relatively few applications where Intel sees stagnation or regression and no applications where it sees very large gains. Instead, most average about a 10% performance increase, which is on the lower end of generational gains but much better than some recent Intel launches.

In Photoshop and DaVinci Resolve, the new 200S series processors have no significant performance difference from their 14th-gen counterparts. Photoshop continues to be an area where, since our last benchmark overhaul, Intel has heavily trailed behind AMD across the board, with even the 9600X beating out the 285K by 11%. In Resolve, Intel stays competitive with AMD, particularly for LongGOP and Intraframe codecs, but the best overall CPU is still the 9950X—or 14700K on more of a budget.

For Premiere Pro and Unreal Engine, Intel manages moderate generational uplifts, though Unreal Engine is something of a mixed bag. The 200S series processors average a gen-on-gen increase of about 5% in Premiere Pro, positioning them solidly ahead of the competition. Especially in LongGOP workflows, Intel’s non-F CPUs are the best available option. For Unreal, the 285K does well, but we have what we believe to be non-representative results for the 265K and 245K. If so, they will likely see similar gains as to the 285K, but for now, we can’t recommend them for the tested Unreal Engine tasks until the performance quirks are worked out.

Finally, in After Effects and our CPU Rendering tests, the Core Ultra series 2 processors average a performance gain of 10-15% compared to last-gen. The benefits in After Effects are primarily reaped by the 285K, but both the 265K and 245K are competent in this application as well. For CPU rendering, Intel has managed to take the performance crown in Cinebench (single- and multi-threaded) with the 285K. The other CPUs make more modest gains but are also very competitive. In V-Ray and Blender, AMD still has the best performance with the 9950X, but Intel has closed the gap substantially and, on the lower-end SKUs, handily beats AMD.

We had high hopes for Intel’s Core Ultra 200S series of processors after a number of generations of disappointing launches and the Vmin Shift Instability of 13th and 14th Gen. Although not the largest set of generational gains we have seen, Intel has managed to at least match AMD’s recent Ryzen 9000 series and keep the competition going. Intel has managed to do so while fundamentally changing how they build their CPUs, and disabling hyperthreading is impressive, but ultimately, only the performance, price, and efficiency matter.

Is it Worth Upgrading to Intel Core Ultra 200S Processors for Video Editing?

Is it Worth Upgrading to Intel Core Ultra 200S Processors for 3D Artists?

Is it Worth Upgrading to Intel Core Ultra 200S Processors for Graphic Design