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Intel Core Ultra X9 388H vs Intel Processor N250: Comparison

What is the difference between Core Ultra X9 388H and Processor N250?

L3 cache is where these two genuinely part company, Core Ultra X9 388H 18 MB against Processor N250 6 MB, a 67% lead for Core Ultra X9 388H. P-core boost clock is not the same on both, 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra X9 388H versus 3.4 GHz on the Processor N250. P-core base clock is not the same on both, 2.1 GHz on the Core Ultra X9 388H versus 0.1 GHz on the Processor N250. There is a split on tdp as well, 25 W on the Core Ultra X9 388H versus 6 W on the Processor N250. There is a split on socket as well, FCBGA2540 on the Core Ultra X9 388H versus BGA 1264 on the Processor N250.

Core Ultra X9 388H vs Processor N250: which one fits your build

Buy the Core Ultra X9 388H for thin laptops needing 12 Xe3-core Arc B390 graphics. The same goes for 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. The Processor N250 suits fanless mini-PCs and digital signage, though it is not built for gaming systems and heavy multitasking. 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 X9 388H and Processor N250 have in common

The common ground is wider than the gap: integrated graphics, form factor, market segment and smt enabled are identical here.

Frequently asked questions

Do the Core Ultra X9 388H and Processor N250 differ on total cores?

Yes. Total Cores reads 16 on the Core Ultra X9 388H versus 4 on the Processor N250.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Form Factor

    Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
    Laptop
    Intel Processor N250
    Laptop
  • Codename

    Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
    Panther Lake
    Intel Processor N250
    Twin Lake
  • Release Year

    Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
    2026
    Intel Processor N250
    2025
  • TDP

    Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
    25 W
    Intel Processor N250
    6 W
  • iGPU

    Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
    Intel Arc B390 (12 Xe3-cores)
    Intel Processor N250
    Intel UHD Graphics
  • Market Segment

    Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
    Laptop
    Intel Processor N250
    Laptop
  • Socket

    Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
    FCBGA2540
    Intel Processor N250
    BGA 1264
  • Process Node

    Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
    18 nm
    Intel Processor N250
    7 nm
  • Total Cores

    Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
    16Best
    Intel Processor N250
    4
  • Performance Cores

    Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
    4Best
    Intel Processor N250
    0
  • Efficiency Cores

    Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
    8Best
    Intel Processor N250
    4
  • Total Threads

    Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
    16Best
    Intel Processor N250
    4
  • SMT Enabled

    Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
    No
    Intel Processor N250
    No
  • P-Core Base Clock

    Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
    2.1 GHz
    Intel Processor N250
    0.1 GHz
  • P-Core Boost Clock

    Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
    5.1 GHz
    Intel Processor N250
    3.4 GHz
  • L3 Cache

    Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
    18 MBBest
    Intel Processor N250
    6 MB-67%
  • Base Power

    Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
    25 W
    Intel Processor N250
    6 W
  • Memory Type

    Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
    LPDDR5xBest
    Intel Processor N250
    DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR5
  • Integrated Graphics

    Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
    Yes
    Intel Processor N250
    Yes

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose 388H if you want the higher L3 cache (18 MB vs 6 MB).

    Choose N250 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.

    Verdict

    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.

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