CPU Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 9 285 vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 is a 65W, 24-core desktop processor offering a balanced mix of high boost clocks and power efficiency without an unlocked multiplier.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
24 cores provide massive throughput for rendering and compilation.
Never benchmarked publicly.
Gaming
Excellent gaming performance when paired with a modern discrete GPU.
Never benchmarked publicly.
Virtualization
More than capable of running multiple VMs and containers.
Never benchmarked publicly.
Efficiency
Good efficiency at 65W, though PL2 can spike to 182W under load.
Never benchmarked publicly.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 13 TOPS NPU handles background AI blurring and noise cancellation
- Not Copilot+ PC certified locally
- CPU and GPU provide additional AI TOPS
- Likely featured a 13 TOPS NPU similar to the 285K.
Content Creation
Gaming
- 5.6 GHz boost is great for single-threaded game engines
- Performs nearly identically to the 285K in most titles
- Requires a discrete GPU for serious gaming
- Performance data is unavailable as the chip was never released.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent single-core and multi-core balance
- 65W base TDP is easy to cool
- Includes modern platform features (PCIe 5.0, DDR5)
- High 5.6 GHz boost clock
- Integrated Arc Xe graphics for troubleshooting
Cons
- Locked multiplier
- Only 24 threads (no Hyper-Threading)
- PL2 of 182W requires decent cooling under sustained load
- Minor IPC improvement over 14th Gen
Pros
- High 5.8 GHz boost target
- Fast DDR5-7200 native memory support
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking
- Retains 24-core layout for multi-threading
Cons
- Never officially released
- No warranty or retail availability
- May have been power-hungry at 5.8 GHz
- Replaced by the 285K in the market
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900XRival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headAMD Ryzen 9 7900XRival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 7 265Rival
Desktop
Unlocked multiplier for enthusiast overclocking.
Compare head-to-headPrevious gen, often discounted, great gaming performance.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950XRival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core Ultra 9 285KRival
Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900XRival
Desktop
Previous gen high-frequency monster (6.0 GHz) for raw clock speed.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3DAlt
Best gaming CPU alternative currently available.
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KAlt
Better value alternative if you don't need the 5.8 GHz boost.
Our Verdict on Each
A highly capable 24-core processor that hits the sweet spot between the low-power 285T and the unlocked 285K, ideal for users wanting performance without high cooling demands.
Best for: Building a high-end gaming or productivity PC without wanting to overclock.
Read the full reviewA canceled/unreleased processor that would have offered higher clocks and faster memory support over the 285K.
Best for: Not applicable, as the product was never released.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core Ultra 9 285 or Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 comes out ahead with a score of 8.8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core Ultra 9 285 or Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 leads with a gaming performance score of 92/100 among Intel Core Ultra 9 285 and Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core Ultra 9 285 (65 W), Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus (125 W).
Do Intel Core Ultra 9 285 and Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1851 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core Ultra 9 285 (53,000), Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus (55,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.