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Intel Core Ultra 9 185H vs Intel Core Ultra X9 388H: Comparison
Core Ultra 9 185H vs Core Ultra X9 388H: the performance cores difference
Expect a near tie. The closest thing to a difference is performance cores, Core Ultra 9 185H 6 against Core Ultra X9 388H 4. L3 cache runs the same way, 24 MB on the Core Ultra 9 185H versus 18 MB on the Core Ultra X9 388H, another win for Core Ultra 9 185H. There is a split on release year as well, 2023 on the Core Ultra 9 185H versus 2026 on the Core Ultra X9 388H.
Which should you buy, Core Ultra 9 185H or Core Ultra X9 388H?
Take the Core Ultra 9 185H for premium ultraportable and creator laptops wanting Intel's strongest available integrated graphics and on-device AI acceleration. It is not the one for buyers prioritizing maximum raw CPU throughput, contemporary desktop-class chips deliver more for less money. Buy the Core Ultra X9 388H for thin laptops needing 12 Xe3-core Arc B390 graphics. It also earns its place with users wanting a boost clock up to 5.1 GHz, 16 cores and a 50 TOPS NPU. It is the wrong buy for laptops needing DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, since this chip is listed for LPDDR5x. Our rating of the Core Ultra 9 185H (8.1/10): the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H is a high-end laptop chip with strong multicore speed and capable Arc graphics for thin performance laptops.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, total cores, p-core boost clock, integrated graphics, form factor and market segment included, so the decision does not turn on any of those.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core Ultra 9 185H and Core Ultra X9 388H differ on efficiency cores?
Yes. Efficiency Cores reads 10 on the Core Ultra 9 185H versus 8 on the Core Ultra X9 388H.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Intel
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Intel
Product Line
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Core Ultra 9
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Core Ultra X9
Form Factor
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Laptop
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Laptop
Model Number
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Ultra 9 185H
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 388H
Codename
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Meteor Lake
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Panther Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 2023
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 2026
TDP
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 45 W
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 25 W
iGPU
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Intel Arc graphics
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Intel Arc B390 (12 Xe3-cores)
Market Segment
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Laptop
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Laptop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Meteor Lake, Core Ultra 100 Series
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Panther Lake, Intel Core Ultra Series 3
Socket
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- FCBGA2049
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- FCBGA2540
Process Node
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 4 nm
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 18 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 16
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 16
Performance Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 6Best
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 4
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 10Best
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 8
Total Threads
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 22Best
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 16
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- No
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 2.3 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 2.1 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 5.1 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 5.1 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 24 MBBest
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 18 MB-25%
Base Power
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 45 W
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 25 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 115 W
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 80 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- LPDDR5x-7467, DDR5-5600
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- LPDDR5x
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Yes
NPU Peak TOPS
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- 11 TOPS
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- 50 TOPS (NPU 5)
Which one should you pick?
Choose 185H if you want the higher L3 cache (24 MB vs 18 MB).
Choose 388H if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $640.00 View on Consumercarts listing |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
8.1 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H is a high-end laptop chip with strong multicore speed and capable Arc graphics for thin performance laptops.