Intel's desktop platforms will continue to use a chipset that's totally separate from the CPU package, unlike its laptop chips, which combine a CPU/GPU/chipset. The new 800-series chipsets can support "up to" 24 PCIe 4.0 lanes, which can be used for M.2 SSDs and various ports depending on how your motherboard maker decides to use them.

Intel announced its newest desktop processors this week, the Intel Core Ultra 200 series, which is the first desktop processor with a built in NPU for AI workloads.

Intel's goals were reconfiguring the chip to drop power consumption and to play catch-up on features, all without suffering a performance hit.