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Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX vs Intel Processor N250: Comparison
What is the difference between Core Ultra 9 285HX and Processor N250?
Start with l3 cache, because it is the widest measured gap between them: Core Ultra 9 285HX 36 MB against Processor N250 6 MB, 83% in favour of Core Ultra 9 285HX. They differ on p-core base clock too, 2.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 285HX versus 0.1 GHz on the Processor N250. Tdp is not the same on both, 55 W on the Core Ultra 9 285HX versus 6 W on the Processor N250. They differ on socket too, BGA 2114 on the Core Ultra 9 285HX versus BGA 1264 on the Processor N250.
Which should you buy, Core Ultra 9 285HX or Processor N250?
Buy the Core Ultra 9 285HX for high-end gaming laptops and mobile content creation, though it is not built for thin-and-light laptops and battery-life-focused use. The Processor N250 suits fanless mini-PCs and digital signage, though it is the wrong buy for gaming systems and heavy multitasking. Our rating of the Core Ultra 9 285HX (8.8/10): the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX brings desktop-class core counts to a mobile package, suited to high-end gaming and creator laptops that can handle the higher TDP. Our rating of the Processor N250 (6.9/10): the Intel Processor N250 is a bare-bones embedded chip, well suited to fanless, low-power appliance designs.
What Core Ultra 9 285HX and Processor N250 have in common
Everything else lines up. Integrated graphics, form factor, release year, market segment and smt enabled read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core Ultra 9 285HX and Processor N250 differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 24 on the Core Ultra 9 285HX versus 4 on the Processor N250.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- Laptop
- Intel Processor N250
- Laptop
Codename
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- Arrow Lake
- Intel Processor N250
- Twin Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- 2025
- Intel Processor N250
- 2025
TDP
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- 55 W
- Intel Processor N250
- 6 W
iGPU
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- Intel Graphics (Xe-LPG, reduced EU count)
- Intel Processor N250
- Intel UHD Graphics
Market Segment
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- Laptop
- Intel Processor N250
- Laptop
Socket
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- BGA 2114 (BGA, soldered)
- Intel Processor N250
- BGA 1264
Process Node
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- 3 nm
- Intel Processor N250
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- 24Best
- Intel Processor N250
- 4
Performance Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- 8Best
- Intel Processor N250
- 0
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- 16Best
- Intel Processor N250
- 4
Total Threads
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- 24Best
- Intel Processor N250
- 4
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- No
- Intel Processor N250
- No
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- 2.8 GHz
- Intel Processor N250
- 0.1 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- 5.5 GHz
- Intel Processor N250
- 3.4 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- 36 MBBest
- Intel Processor N250
- 6 MB-83%
Base Power
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- 55 W
- Intel Processor N250
- 6 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- DDR5Best
- Intel Processor N250
- DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- Yes
- Intel Processor N250
- Yes
Which one should you pick?
Choose 285HX if you want the higher L3 cache (36 MB vs 6 MB).
Choose N250 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Verdict
Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
8.8 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX brings desktop-class core counts to a mobile package, suited to high-end gaming and creator laptops that can handle the higher TDP.
Intel Processor N250
6.9 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Processor N250 is a bare-bones embedded chip, well suited to fanless, low-power appliance designs.