Intel

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

Expert rating8.5 / 10

Boost/Base Clock:: 5.7 GHz / 3.7 GHz
Core/Thread Count:: 24 Core (8P+16E) / 24 Thread
Cache:: 36MB L3 + 40MB L2
TDP:: 125 W
CPU Process Node:: TSMC N3B (Compute Tile)
CPU Socket:: FCLGA1851
CPU Series:: Arrow Lake, Core Ultra 200 Series
Memory Support:: DDR5-6400
Form Factor:: Desktop

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Manufacturer: Intel Last updated: 2026-10-10

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Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Review

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is Intel's Arrow Lake desktop flagship, a 24-core (8 Performance + 16 Efficient) processor without hyperthreading, with P-cores boosting to 5.7 GHz within a 125W base / 250W max turbo power envelope on the new LGA 1851 socket, launched October 2024.

This chip replaced the i9-14900K as Intel's flagship, moving to a genuinely new tile-based chiplet design and dropping hyperthreading entirely in favor of a real focus on power efficiency, running notably cooler than its predecessor at similar performance.

Architecture

Arrow Lake's disaggregated tile-based design splits the compute, SoC, graphics, and I/O functions across separate tiles connected via Intel's Foveros 3D packaging, with the CPU compute tile manufactured on TSMC's advanced N3B process, a genuinely different approach from Intel's earlier monolithic desktop chips.

How Is the Core Ultra 9 285K in Terms of Performance

The 24-core hybrid layout without hyperthreading gives this chip excellent multi-threaded throughput for content creation, while Intel's real focus on power efficiency means it runs meaningfully cooler than the 14900K it replaced at broadly comparable performance.

Performance

The two scores below rate this processor against a reference part, the Ryzen 5 9600X, which sits at 100. Everyday Performance weights the things you feel while browsing, loading and switching between apps, so it leans on single-core speed. Heavy Workload Performance weights rendering, encoding and compiling, so it rewards core count. A difference under about 5 points is not something you would notice in use. A difference of 20 points or more is a different class of chip.

Everyday Performance

136

Measured results

Cinebench scores

Cinebench 2024, Multi-Core Median of 2 independently published results.	2,387 2,339 to 2,436
Cinebench 2024, Single-Core Median of 2 independently published results.	144 143 to 144
Cinebench R23, Multi-Core Median of 2 independently published results.	42,663 42,620 to 42,705
Cinebench R23, Single-Core Median of 2 independently published results.	2,367 2,353 to 2,380

Benchmarks

Independent reviews show this chip delivering strong all-core productivity performance competitive with AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X in heavily threaded workloads, while its gaming performance trails AMD's 3D V-Cache chips, with genuinely improved efficiency being the chip's standout characteristic over its 14900K predecessor.

Our verdict

Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.

Expert rating8.5 / 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.

Best for

Content creation and heavily multi-threaded productivity desktop builds wanting Intel's newest, most power-efficient flagship

Not for

Buyers prioritizing maximum gaming frame rates, AMD's 3D V-Cache chips generally lead in gaming-specific benchmarks

Specifications

What these specs mean

Identity

Brand	Intel
Product Line	Core Ultra 9
Model Number	285K
Codename	Arrow Lake-S
Release Year	2024

Segment and platform

Market Segment	Desktop
Microarchitecture	Arrow Lake, Core Ultra 200 Series
Socket	FCLGA1851
Socket Status	Current
Process Node	3 nm

Core configuration

Total Cores	24
Performance Cores	8
Efficiency Cores	16
Total Threads	24
SMT Enabled	No

Clock speeds

P-Core Base Clock	3.7 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock	5.5 GHz
E-Core Base Clock	3.2 GHz
E-Core Boost Clock	4.6 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier	Yes

Cache

L2 Cache	40 MB
L3 Cache	36 MB
3D Stacked Cache	No

Power and thermal

Base Power	125 W
Max Turbo Power	250 W

Memory

Memory Type	DDR5-6400
Max Memory Speed	6400 MT/s
Memory Channels	2
Max Memory Capacity	256 GB
ECC Support	Yes

Graphics and AI

Integrated Graphics	Yes
iGPU Model	Intel Graphics
iGPU Compute Units	4
NPU Peak TOPS	13 TOPS
Copilot Plus Certified	No

Expansion

PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes	24

Commercial

Launch MSRP	589 USD
Retail Availability	Boxed Retail

Form Factor	Desktop
TDP	125 W
iGPU	Intel Graphics

FAQs

What are the key specifications of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K?

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K has 24 cores and 24 threads, a 3.7 GHz base and 5.5 GHz boost clock, 36 MB of L3 cache and a 125 W TDP. Integrated graphics: Intel Graphics. Socket: FCLGA1851.

Will the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K work with my current setup?

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K lists CPU Socket is LGA 1851. Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.

Who is the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K best suited to?

Best suited to: Content creation and heavily multi-threaded productivity desktop builds wanting Intel's newest, most power-efficient flagship.

What are the drawbacks of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K?

Not the best fit for: Buyers prioritizing maximum gaming frame rates, AMD's 3D V-Cache chips generally lead in gaming-specific benchmarks.