Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K CPU is part of the company’s Ultra 200S series. Since hitting the market, it has received mixed reviews. The CPU shows advanced efficiency but falls short in PC gaming performance compared to previous models.
This marks an intriguing yet underwhelming milestone for enthusiasts. The Core Ultra 9 285K has several notable advancements. It runs cooler and faster in non-gaming tasks than Intel’s previous flagship model, the Core i9-14900K.
The processor is also Intel’s first enthusiast desktop CPU with a built-in neural processing unit (NPU) for AI task acceleration. It is built for the new LGA 1851 socket, which requires a motherboard upgrade. Testing has shown significant improvements in power efficiency.
In a Cinebench 2024 benchmark, the Ultra 9 285K drew 254 watts of CPU package power, while the Core i9-14900K drew 267 watts. The Ultra 9 285K outperformed the 14900K by 15 percent in the multithreaded test and nearly 7 percent in the single-thread test. Similar gains were seen in Geekbench 6 benchmarks.
However, the Core Ultra 9 285K lags behind in PC gaming. In 1080p testing with an Nvidia RTX 4090, games like “Shadow of the Tomb Raider,” “Cyberpunk 2077,” and “Forza Motorsport” showed frame rates up to 20 percent lower than the 14900K.
Efficiency meets limitations in Ultra 9
These results show a strange regression from the previous generation, which may confuse potential buyers who prioritize gaming performance. Intel has said these performance differences are due to its focus on performance per watt for the current generation. The company has openly acknowledged that while there are significant performance boosts over the 12th Gen and older platforms, the gains in gaming are not as pronounced.
Enabling and disabling Windows 11 features like Memory Integrity also impacts these results. Disabling such features on both the Ultra 9 285K and 14900K narrows the performance gap in gaming considerably, even slightly favoring the Ultra 9 285K in some cases. Potential upgraders should also consider the need for a new motherboard for the LGA 1851 socket.
Fortunately, many existing coolers compatible with the LGA 1700 socket will support the new socket. The revised Z890 motherboards offer up to 24 PCIe 4.0 lanes, integrated Wi-Fi 6E, Ethernet, and support for advanced memory speeds like DDR5-8000. Looking ahead, Intel’s track record of socket longevity is uncertain.
The future of the LGA 1851 socket remains unclear, and a potential shift to Nova Lake could require yet another motherboard upgrade. In comparison, AMD’s 7800X3D CPU currently outperforms the Ultra 9 285K in gaming. AMD’s commitment to supporting its AM5 platform until at least 2027 provides an appealing alternative for gamers.
In summary, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K represents a commendable stride in efficiency, it raises questions about its target audience. AMD remains a more compelling choice in the current landscape for those prioritizing peak gaming performance and long-term socket support.
