CPU Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 9 285T vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285T is a low-power, 24-core desktop processor built on the Arrow Lake-S architecture, offering strong efficiency and integrated Xe graphics for compact workstations.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Strong multi-core performance despite low power, great for office tasks.
Never benchmarked publicly.
Gaming
Not designed for high-end gaming, but iGPU handles casual titles well.
Never benchmarked publicly.
Virtualization
24 cores make it highly capable for running multiple VMs efficiently.
Never benchmarked publicly.
Efficiency
Industry-leading performance-per-watt for a desktop processor.
Never benchmarked publicly.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 13 TOPS NPU handles background AI tasks
- Not Copilot+ PC certified
- CPU and GPU contribute additional TOPS
- Likely featured a 13 TOPS NPU similar to the 285K.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Arc 64EU iGPU is suitable for light 1080p gaming
- Not a replacement for a discrete GPU
- Low base clock limits performance in CPU-bound games
- Performance data is unavailable as the chip was never released.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Exceptional 35W power efficiency
- 24 physical cores for heavy multitasking
- Includes integrated Arc Xe-LPG graphics
- Supports DDR5-6400 and PCIe 5.0
- Quiet operation potential
Cons
- Locked multiplier prevents overclocking
- Low base clock of 1.4 GHz
- Overpriced for pure gaming builds
- Limited PL2 duration due to thermal constraints
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 285T
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900Rival
Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 7 8700GRival
Desktop APU
- Intel Core Ultra 7 255TRival
Low-Power Desktop
Better base clocks for slightly more power (65W).
Compare head-to-headPrevious generation low-power option, often cheaper.
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
An exceptionally power-efficient 24-core processor ideal for compact builds and 24/7 operations where thermal constraints are a primary concern.
Best for: Building a compact, energy-efficient system like a home server or mini-PC.
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 285T or Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285T comes out ahead with a score of 8.5/10. 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 285T or Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus?
For gaming, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285T leads with a gaming performance score of 70/100 among Intel Core Ultra 9 285T and Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285T has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core Ultra 9 285T (35 W), Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus (125 W).
Do Intel Core Ultra 9 285T 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 285T (50,000), Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus (55,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.