Intel's rumored Bartlett Lake-S processor, a 10-core, P-Core-only design, has surfaced in PassMark benchmarks. The Core 7 253PE SKU appears to be a sample of this long-awaited chip, which is based on the Raptor Lake Refresh architecture. This marks a surprise return to the spotlight after months of developmental silence.

The benchmark data suggests the 253PE offers a 20% multicore performance uplift over the Core i5 14400, though it shows a slight single-core regression. It also features the more capable UHD Graphics 770 iGPU and a larger 36 MB cache pool, positioning it as a potential budget-friendly option for gamers.

First hinted at last year, Bartlett Lake-S is expected to target the embedded and budget markets, likely under the Intel Core Series 2 banner. Its P-Core-only configuration appeals to users who find efficiency cores unnecessary. The appearance of a sample suggests a launch could be nearing, filling a gap in Intel's product stack.