Intel partners have started to deploy BIOS patches for Z890 motherboards featuring the 0x114 microcode coupled with the updated CSME 1854v2.2 firmware. The patches serve as the last piece to Intel's Core Ultra 200S (Arrow Lake) performance puzzle, with the newer CSME and BIOS combo promising additional single-digit increases in gaming performance. Interestingly, vendors are pushing the update ahead of Intel's projected timeframe in January, at least if we're talking about the beta releases (via Harukaze and HXL ).