As edge computing continues to mature, hardware requirements are becoming more defined. While some deployments demand maximum AI acceleration, many edge systems prioritize predictable performance, platform stability, and long-term availability. Intel® Core™ Processors Series 2 (Bartlett Lake) are designed to address these needs, offering a flexible and forward-looking update to existing Intel Core–based edge designs.
Bartlett Lake’s Role in the Edge
Intel® Core™ Processors Series 2 (Bartlett Lake) sit in Intel’s Mainstream edge segment. Rather than introducing a new AI-focused architecture, they build on proven CPU and GPU acceleration, making them well suited for workloads that do not require always-on AI inference or dedicated NPUs.
This makes Intel® Core™ Processors Series 2 (Bartlett Lake) strong fits for applications such as:
- Industrial automation and control
- Edge servers and gateways
- Networking and infrastructure systems
- Retail kiosks and digital signage
- Healthcare and education systems
- Legacy and real-time workloads that value deterministic behavior
By focusing on compute reliability and lifecycle stability, Intel® Core™ Processors Series 2 (Bartlett Lake) fill an important role for customers refreshing existing edge platforms.
Two SKU Lines for Different Edge Requirements
A key strength of Intel® Core™ Processors Series 2 (Bartlett Lake) is its dual SKU strategy, allowing system designers to choose between hybrid performance scaling and deterministic compute behavior.
Hybrid SKUs (P-cores + E-cores)
Intel® Core™ Processors Series 2 (Bartlett Lake) hybrid processors combine Performance cores (P-cores) and Efficient cores (E-cores) to balance single-thread responsiveness and multi-thread throughput. These SKUs scale up to 24 cores and 32 threads and are available in 35W, 45W, and 65W power envelopes.
The 35W options enable Intel® Core™ Processors Series 2 (Bartlett Lake) to serve thermally constrained and fanless edge designs, while higher-power SKUs deliver strong performance gains over prior generations. Hybrid Bartlett Lake CPUs are ideal for mixed workloads where efficiency, multitasking, and cost-effective scalability matter.
P-Core-Only SKUs (Bartlett Lake S 12P)
For workloads that require predictable and consistent performance, Intel introduces Bartlett Lake S 12P. These processors feature:
- Up to 12 Performance cores
- No Efficient cores
- Simplified scheduling behavior
P-core-only SKUs are offered at 45W, 65W, and 125W, with no 35W option. By removing hybrid core scheduling complexity, these processors are particularly well suited for real-time applications, Windows Server deployments, and infrastructure workloads where latency consistency is critical.
Performance and Power Improvements Over Previous Generations
Compared to Alder Lake S and Raptor Lake S Refresh, Bartlett Lake delivers:
- Higher core counts at equivalent power levels
- Improved single-thread and multi-thread performance
- Stronger performance-per-dollar across the SKU stack
The 125W P-core-only SKUs, in particular, offer notable multi-thread performance gains over previous P-core designs, making them well suited for compute-heavy edge servers and aggregation nodes.
Platform Capabilities and I/O Continuity
Intel® Core™ Processors Series 2 (Bartlett Lake) continue to support modern edge I/O and connectivity requirements, including:
- DDR4 and DDR5 memory (up to 5600 MT/s)
- PCIe Gen 5 and PCIe Gen 4
- Intel UHD Graphics with up to 32 execution units
- Support for up to four independent displays
- Integrated 2.5GbE with TSN support
- Discrete Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 options
These features allow Intel® Core™ Processors Series 2 (Bartlett Lake) to support both new deployments and existing edge designs without sacrificing platform flexibility.
Drop-In Compatibility and Long-Term Availability
One of Bartlett Lake’s most practical advantages is its drop-in compatibility with prior Intel Core S-series platforms, including:
- Alder Lake S
- Raptor Lake S
- Raptor Lake S Refresh
This compatibility enables OEMs and system integrators to upgrade performance without redesigning motherboards, reducing validation effort and accelerating time-to-market.
Additionally, selected Bartlett Lake SKUs offer extended availability through 2035, supporting the long lifecycles common in industrial and embedded systems. This makes Bartlett Lake especially attractive for customers with strict validation, certification, and maintenance requirements.
A Reliable Upgrade Path for the Edge
Intel® Core™ Processors Series 2 (Bartlett Lake) are not designed to redefine edge AI—they are designed to refine and extend what already works. With flexible SKU options, broad power ranges, deterministic P-core-only designs, and long-term platform stability, Intel® Core™ Processors Series 2 (Bartlett Lake) provide practical and dependable evolution for mainstream and industrial edge computing.
For organizations looking to modernize existing Intel-based edge systems while preserving platform continuity, Intel® Core™ Processors Series 2 (Bartlett Lake) offer a clear and confident next step.