Intel's Lunar Lake Unleashes 30% Gaming Boost! Here's How.

Intel Lunar Lake's Secret Weapon: Updated PL2 Settings

Gamers, prepare for a significant performance leap! Intel's Lunar Lake CPU is proving to be a game-changer for handheld gaming devices, thanks to updated PL2 (Power Limit 2) settings. Recent tests reveal that properly configuring PL2 can unlock up to 30% higher gaming performance.

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM, powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V "Lunar Lake" CPU, featuring four E-cores and four P-cores paired with the Intel Arc 140V Xe2 GPU, served as the testing ground for these findings. Initial testing involved manually adjusting TDP (Thermal Design Power) values to compare performance against AMD-based handhelds.

However, Intel clarified that the official Lunar Lake specification mandates that PL2 should always be at least 1W higher than PL1 (Power Limit 1), or set at the maximum TDP value of 37W. This crucial detail unlocks the CPU's ability to extract additional boost, resulting in significant performance gains.

Previously, users could match PL2 to PL1 using the Manual power profile. Now, an update to the MSI Center M app locks PL2 to be at least 1W higher than PL1, ensuring optimal performance. Retesting with this updated configuration showed impressive results, with Cyberpunk 2077 and Space Marine 2 experiencing nearly a 30% performance uplift.

The Lunar Lake-based MSI Claw AI+ A2VM now stands as the highest-performing handheld device tested, even surpassing AMD-based competitors in various games. While a baseline improvement of 10% is expected across most titles, specific scenarios can unlock the full 30% potential. These tests definitively establish Lunar Lake as a leading gaming CPU for handheld devices.

In conclusion, ensuring the correct PL2 settings are in place is vital for maximizing the gaming capabilities of Intel's Lunar Lake CPUs. Gamers should update their MSI Center M app to experience the full power of this innovative processor.