Intel's latest flagship processor, the Core Ultra 9 285K, has made its debut with some impressive multi-core performance figures, but mixed results in single-core tests. Early benchmarks reveal both the strengths and potential limitations of Intel's new Arrow Lake architecture.
Multi-Core Dominance
The standout feature of the Core Ultra 9 285K is its multi-threaded performance. In CPU-Z benchmarks, the processor achieved a score of 18,964 points, significantly outperforming its predecessors:
- Core Ultra 9 285K: 18,964
- Core i9-14900K: 14,281
- Ryzen 9 7900X: 11,105
This represents a substantial 33% improvement over the previous generation Core i9-14900K, despite the 285K having fewer cores (24 vs. 32).
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| Intel's Core Ultra 9 processors, showcasing top-tier performance for multi-threaded tasks |
Single-Core Struggles
However, the single-core performance tells a different story. The 285K scored 909 points in CPU-Z's single-threaded test, falling behind several current-gen processors:
- Core i9-14900KS: 933
- Core i9-14900K: 914
- Core Ultra 9 285K: 909
This aligns with earlier reports suggesting that the 285K's gaming performance might not surpass that of the 14900K or AMD's Ryzen 7950X3D.
Blender Benchmark Success
In Blender v4.2 benchmarks, the Core Ultra 9 285K showed strong performance:
- Core Ultra 9 285K: 557.46
- Core i9-14900KS: 508.9
- Ryzen 9 9900X: 461.17
This represents a roughly 19% improvement over the 14900KS in this particular workload.
Thermal Considerations
One concerning aspect of the early tests is thermal performance. The CPU-Z benchmark reported temperatures reaching 101°C, very close to the chip's 105°C thermal limit. This suggests that high-end cooling solutions will be crucial for maintaining peak performance, especially in demanding multi-threaded workloads.
Architecture Details
The Core Ultra 9 285K is built on TSMC's 3nm process, although some benchmark software incorrectly reports it as 7nm. Key specifications include:
- 24 cores / 24 threads
- P-cores: 5.4 GHz boost
- E-cores: 4.5 GHz boost
- 125W TDP (as tested)
Conclusion
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K demonstrates impressive multi-threaded performance gains, potentially making it an excellent choice for content creation and heavily parallelized workloads. However, its single-core performance and thermal characteristics may limit its appeal for high-end gaming systems. As we approach the official launch on October 24th, 2024, more comprehensive reviews will provide a clearer picture of how this processor fits into the competitive landscape.