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Intel Core Ultra 9 288V vs Intel Processor N250: Comparison
Core Ultra 9 288V vs Processor N250: the l3 cache difference
The gap that matters here is l3 cache: Core Ultra 9 288V 12 MB against Processor N250 6 MB, which puts Core Ultra 9 288V 50% ahead. They differ on tdp too, 30 W on the Core Ultra 9 288V versus 6 W on the Processor N250. There is a split on socket as well, FCBGA2833 on the Core Ultra 9 288V versus BGA 1264 on the Processor N250. Release year is not the same on both, 2024 on the Core Ultra 9 288V versus 2025 on the Processor N250.
Who each one is for
Buy the Core Ultra 9 288V for Ultra-thin and light laptops and all-day battery life, though it is not the pick for heavy sustained multi-core workloads and gaming laptops. The Processor N250 is the one to take for 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 288V (9/10): the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is one of Intel's most power-efficient Core Ultra chips, built for the longest battery life in ultra-thin laptops. 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.
Where the two are identical
Everything else lines up. Efficiency cores, integrated graphics, form factor, market segment and smt enabled read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Core Ultra 9 288V and Processor N250 differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 8 on the Core Ultra 9 288V versus 4 on the Processor N250.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- Laptop
- Intel Processor N250
- Laptop
Codename
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- Lunar Lake
- Intel Processor N250
- Twin Lake
Release Year
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 2024
- Intel Processor N250
- 2025
TDP
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 30 W
- Intel Processor N250
- 6 W
iGPU
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- Intel Arc 140V GPU
- Intel Processor N250
- Intel UHD Graphics
Market Segment
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- Laptop
- Intel Processor N250
- Laptop
Socket
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- FCBGA2833
- Intel Processor N250
- BGA 1264
Process Node
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 3 nm
- Intel Processor N250
- 7 nm
Total Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 8Best
- Intel Processor N250
- 4
Performance Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 4Best
- Intel Processor N250
- 0
Efficiency Cores
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 4
- Intel Processor N250
- 4
Total Threads
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 8Best
- Intel Processor N250
- 4
SMT Enabled
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- No
- Intel Processor N250
- No
P-Core Base Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 3.3 GHz
- Intel Processor N250
- 0.1 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 5.1 GHz
- Intel Processor N250
- 3.4 GHz
L3 Cache
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 12 MBBest
- Intel Processor N250
- 6 MB-50%
Base Power
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- 30 W
- Intel Processor N250
- 6 W
Memory Type
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- On-Package LPDDR5XBest
- Intel Processor N250
- DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5
Integrated Graphics
- Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
- Yes
- Intel Processor N250
- Yes
Which one should you pick?
Choose 288V if you want the higher L3 cache (12 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 288V
9 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is one of Intel's most power-efficient Core Ultra chips, built for the longest battery life in ultra-thin laptops.
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.