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Intel Core Ultra 9 285 vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285K: Comparison
What is the difference between Core Ultra 9 285 and Core Ultra 9 285K?
The first real difference is p-core boost clock: Core Ultra 9 285 5.6 GHz against Core Ultra 9 285K 5.5 GHz. They differ on max turbo power too, 182 W on the Core Ultra 9 285 versus 250 W on the Core Ultra 9 285K.
Which should you buy, Core Ultra 9 285 or Core Ultra 9 285K?
Buy the Core Ultra 9 285 for video editing, 3D rendering and code builds and small workstations that benefit from ECC memory support, though it is the wrong buy for overclockers, who should choose the unlocked Core Ultra 9 285K. It also earns its place with quiet or compact high-end PCs built around a 65 W chip. It is not the one for gaming-first builds, where a cheaper CPU and a better GPU go further. Take the Core Ultra 9 285K for content creation and heavily multi-threaded productivity desktop builds wanting Intel's newest, most power-efficient flagship. It is the wrong buy for buyers prioritizing maximum gaming frame rates, AMD's 3D V-Cache chips generally lead in gaming-specific benchmarks. Our rating of the Core Ultra 9 285K (8.5/10): the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is a fast, more efficient flagship for multithreaded work, though its gaming speed trails the best AMD chips.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: total cores, performance cores, efficiency cores, total threads and e-core boost clock are identical here. They match on 18 further specifications as well.
Which is cheaper, Core Ultra 9 285 or Core Ultra 9 285K?
At the last price check the Core Ultra 9 285 was $549 and the Core Ultra 9 285K $589, a 7% premium.
Do the Core Ultra 9 285 and Core Ultra 9 285K differ on p-core base clock?
Yes. P-Core Base Clock reads 2.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 285 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 285K.
Is the L3 Cache the same on the Core Ultra 9 285 and Core Ultra 9 285K?
It is. Both are listed at 36 MB, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Intel
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- Intel
Product Line
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Core Ultra 9
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- Core Ultra 9
Form Factor
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Desktop
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- Desktop
Model Number
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 285
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 285K
Codename
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Arrow Lake
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- Arrow Lake-S
Release Year
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 2025
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 2024
TDP
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 65 W
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 125 W
iGPU
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Intel Graphics
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- Intel Graphics
Market Segment
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Desktop
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2)
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- Arrow Lake, Core Ultra 200 Series
Socket
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- FCLGA1851
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- FCLGA1851
Process Node
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 3 nm
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 3 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 24
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 24
Performance Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 8
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 16
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 16
Total Threads
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 24
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 24
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- No
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- No
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 2.5 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 3.7 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 5.6 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 5.5 GHz
E-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 1.9 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 3.2 GHz
E-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 4.6 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 4.6 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- No
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- Yes
L2 Cache
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 40 MB
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 40 MB
L3 Cache
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 36 MB
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 36 MB
Base Power
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 65 W
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 182 W
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 250 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- DDR5 up to 6400 MT/s
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- DDR5-6400
Max Memory Speed
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 6400 MT/s
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 6400 MT/s
Memory Channels
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 2
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 256 GB
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 256 GB
ECC Support
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- Yes
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- Yes
iGPU Model
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Intel Graphics
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- Intel Graphics
iGPU Compute Units
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 4
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 4
NPU Peak TOPS
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 13 TOPS (Intel AI Boost)
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 13 TOPS
Copilot Plus Certified
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- No
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- No
PCIe Generation
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- PCIe 5.0 and 4.0
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 24
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 24
Launch MSRP
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- $549
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- $589
Retail Availability
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- Boxed Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose Intel Core Ultra 9 285 if you want the higher L2 cache (40 MB vs 40 MB), the higher L3 cache (36 MB vs 36 MB) and the higher memory channels (2 vs 2).
Choose Intel Core Ultra 9 285K if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Intel Core Ultra 9 285 | Intel Core Ultra 9 285K |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $549.00 View on Amazon | $589.00 View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
| Micro Center | View on Micro Center |
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 285K
8.5 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is a fast, more efficient flagship for multithreaded work, though its gaming speed trails the best AMD chips.