Quick Verdict
An engineering marvel that combines memory, CPU, GPU, and NPU into a highly efficient package, redefining laptop battery life and AI capabilities.
Overview
Launch
Sep 24th, 2024
Status
ActiveGeneration
Ultra 9 (Lunar Lake)
Market
Mobile
The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is a premium mobile processor from the Lunar Lake family, featuring 8 cores, integrated 32GB memory, and a powerful 48 TOPS NPU.
The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is a premium mobile processor introduced in September 2024 as part of the Lunar Lake family. Designed for thin-and-light laptops, it features a unique 8-core layout with 4 Lion Cove P-cores and 4 Skymont E-cores, totaling 8 threads. Manufactured on TSMC's 3nm process, it excels in power efficiency with a base TDP of 30W.
The processor operates at a 3.3 GHz base clock and boosts up to 5.1 GHz.
A standout feature is its integrated 32GB LPDDR5X-8533 memory built directly onto the package, ensuring high bandwidth and space efficiency. It also boasts a powerful Arc 140V integrated GPU with 8 Xe cores, making it highly capable for gaming and content creation. Additionally, it includes a 48 TOPS NPU, meeting Microsoft Copilot+ PC requirements for advanced AI processing.
The 288V represents Intel's aggressive push into efficient, AI-ready mobile computing.
Specifications
Performance
Excellent single-core performance for office tasks and web apps.
Limited by 8 threads and 32GB max memory, but capable of light VMs.
Arc 140V is a massive leap, allowing 1080p gaming in thin-and-lights.
Industry-leading performance-per-watt for x86 laptops.
- •Arc 140V iGPU can play modern titles at 1080p Low/Medium
- •Massive improvement over previous Intel iGPUs
- •Not a replacement for discrete laptop GPUs
- •48 TOPS NPU enables Copilot+ PC features like Recall
- •Can run small LLMs locally
- •NPU offloads CPU/GPU for better battery during AI tasks
Architecture
3 nm (TSMC)
Process Node
Lunar Lake
Codename
8C / 8T
Core Config
12 MB
L3 Cache
30 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Lunar Lake architecture in the Core Ultra 9 288V is a radical departure from previous mobile designs, prioritizing extreme efficiency and integration. Built on TSMC's N3B 3nm process, the compute tile houses 4 Lion Cove P-cores and 4 Skymont E-cores, dropping Hyper-Threading to save power.
CPU Design
The most notable architectural feature is the memory-on-package design, integrating 32GB of LPDDR5X-8533 directly onto the substrate, drastically reducing latency and power consumption while saving motherboard space.
Memory Subsystem
The integrated memory provides a massive 136.5 GB/s of bandwidth, shared dynamically between the CPU and the powerful integrated GPU.
PCIe & I/O
For expansion, it provides 4 PCIe 5.0 lanes directly from the CPU, usually allocated for a fast NVMe SSD, alongside secondary PCIe 4.0 lanes.
Overclocking
The integrated Arc 140V graphics feature 8 Xe2 cores, providing a massive leap in iGPU performance. Furthermore, the NPU delivers an impressive 48 TOPS. This architecture is strictly optimized for a 30W power envelope.
- Memory integrated onto package
- Doubled NPU TOPS (48 vs 11)
- Arc 140V graphics replace Arc 128EU
- Removed Hyper-Threading for efficiency
Key Highlights
- Exceptional power efficiency
- 32GB RAM integrated on package
- 48 TOPS NPU for Copilot+ AI
- Powerful Arc 140V integrated graphics
- Silent operation in slim chassis
- Memory is non-upgradable (soldered to CPU)
- Only 8 threads limits heavy multi-threading
- Expensive, only found in premium laptops
- Low PCIe lane count for expansion
History
The Core Ultra 9 288V launched on September 24, 2024, marking a pivotal moment in Intel's mobile processor strategy. Lunar Lake was developed in close collaboration with TSMC, utilizing their leading-edge 3nm process, a shift from Intel's traditional in-house manufacturing for mobile chips. The 288V was introduced to counter Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite and AMD's Ryzen AI 300 series, both of which emphasized AI capabilities and power efficiency.
The decision to integrate memory onto the package was a bold move, reminiscent of Apple's M-series chips, aimed at maximizing efficiency and minimizing latency. With its 48 TOPS NPU, the 288V was among the first Intel processors to officially meet the Copilot+ PC standards. This launch signified Intel's commitment to transforming the laptop market, moving away from raw frequency battles toward holistic efficiency and AI integration.
The 288V quickly became the flagship choice for premium ultrabooks seeking all-day battery life.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Memory integrated onto package
- Doubled NPU TOPS (48 vs 11)
- Arc 140V graphics replace Arc 128EU
- Removed Hyper-Threading for efficiency
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
Buying a premium ultrabook for all-day battery life and AI features.
Avoid if…
- You need more than 32GB of RAM.
- You want a laptop for heavy 4K video editing or 3D rendering.
- You are looking for a budget-friendly laptop.
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
This is Intel's first mobile processor to feature memory directly on the CPU package.
It is manufactured entirely by TSMC, unlike previous Intel mobile chips.
The 48 TOPS NPU makes it one of the first x86 chips to qualify for Microsoft Copilot+.
Despite being a 9-series, it only has 8 cores, focusing on efficiency over raw core count.
People Also Ask
Is the Core Ultra 9 288V good for gaming?
Yes, its Arc 140V integrated graphics are surprisingly good for 1080p gaming.
How much RAM does the Core Ultra 9 288V have?
It has 32GB of LPDDR5X memory built directly onto the processor package.
Can you upgrade the RAM on a Core Ultra 9 288V laptop?
No, the memory is integrated into the CPU package and cannot be upgraded.
Does the Core Ultra 9 288V support Copilot+ PC?
Yes, its 48 TOPS NPU meets the requirements for Microsoft Copilot+ features.
What is the TDP of the Core Ultra 9 288V?
It has a base TDP of 30W, with a maximum configurable TDP of 37W.
How many cores does the Core Ultra 9 288V have?
It has 8 total cores: 4 P-Cores and 4 E-Cores.
Does the Core Ultra 9 288V have Hyper-Threading?
No, Lunar Lake removes Hyper-Threading, relying on 8 physical threads.
What socket does the Core Ultra 9 288V use?
It uses the Intel BGA 2833 socket, meaning it is soldered to the motherboard.
What graphics are in the Core Ultra 9 288V?
It features Intel Arc 140V graphics with 8 Xe2 cores.
Is the Core Ultra 9 288V better than the 185H?
It is much more efficient and has better AI/NPU performance, but has fewer cores.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the boost clock of the Core Ultra 9 288V?
The maximum turbo boost clock is 5.1 GHz.
What memory speed does the Core Ultra 9 288V support?
It integrates LPDDR5X-8533 memory on the package.
What is the L3 cache size of the Core Ultra 9 288V?
It has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.
Does the Core Ultra 9 288V support PCIe 5.0?
Yes, it provides 4 lanes of PCIe 5.0 directly from the CPU.
When was the Core Ultra 9 288V released?
It was released on September 24th, 2024.
What is the NPU TOPS of the Core Ultra 9 288V?
The NPU delivers 48 TOPS of AI performance.
Is the Core Ultra 9 288V unlocked?
No, mobile processors are generally locked.
Can I build a desktop with the Core Ultra 9 288V?
No, it is a mobile-only BGA chip soldered into laptops.
Does the Core Ultra 9 288V support AVX-512?
No, it supports AVX2 and VNNI but not AVX-512.
What process node is used for the 288V?
The compute tile is built on TSMC's 3nm process.