Intel Arc G3 vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data presents a stark contrast between these two mobile Intel processors. The Intel Arc G3, built on the Panther Lake architecture, is positioned as a low-power part with a 25 W TDP and 14 cores. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, part of the Core Ultra Series 2 with an Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename, is a high-performance part with a 55 W TDP and 24 cores. The database shows a clear performance hierarchy: the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus sits at the 95th percentile among all CPUs, while the Arc G3 sits at the 50th percentile.

For workloads that demand maximum multi-threaded throughput, the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the only choice in this comparison. Its benchmark results, including a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39684 and a Passmark multi-thread score of 59439, place it firmly in the top tier of mobile processors. The Arc G3, with no recorded benchmark scores in the database, cannot be quantitatively compared on raw performance. Its 50th percentile ranking indicates it is an average performer, likely suited for efficiency-focused systems.

The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is also the choice for users who need PCIe expansion. It provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Arc G3 provides Gen 5 with only 4 lanes (CPU only). This difference is substantial for workloads involving multiple high-speed storage devices or external GPU enclosures. The Core Ultra 9 also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the Arc G3, making it suitable for error-sensitive computing tasks.

However, the Arc G3 has its own advantages. Its 25 W TDP is less than half that of the Core Ultra 9's 55 W TDP, indicating it will generate less heat and require less power, which is critical for thin-and-light mobile designs. The Arc G3 also supports LPDDR5X memory with a bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s, which is higher than the Core Ultra 9's DDR5 memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. This could benefit memory-bandwidth-sensitive applications despite the lower core count. The Arc G3 also features a newer integrated GPU, the Arc B370, compared to the Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU in the Core Ultra 9.

Ultimately, the data indicates that the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is designed for maximum performance in large laptops and mobile workstations, while the Arc G3 is designed for efficiency and compact systems where raw compute is secondary.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Arc G3 has 14 cores and 14 threads.

Q: What is the difference in TDP between the two?

A: The Intel Arc G3 has a TDP of 25 W, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a TDP of 55 W.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports ECC memory, while the Intel Arc G3 does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a shared L3 cache of 36 MB. The Intel Arc G3 has a shared L3 cache of 18 MB.

Q: What is the boost clock speed difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus boosts up to 5.50 GHz, while the Intel Arc G3 boosts up to 4.60 GHz.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Arc G3 supports LPDDR5X with a memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports DDR5 with a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lines within Intel's mobile portfolio. The Intel Arc G3 is based on the Panther Lake architecture and is part of the Arc G3 generation. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is based on the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, listed as the Ultra 9 (Arrow Lake-HX) generation.

Both processors use a 3 nm process node, but they are manufactured by different foundries. The Arc G3 is fabricated by Intel, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is fabricated by TSMC. This difference may have implications for transistor density and power characteristics. The database lists a transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm² for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, while no such data is recorded for the Arc G3.

The core and cache structures differ significantly. The Arc G3 has 14 cores and 14 threads, with a per-core L1 cache of 192 KB and a per-core L2 cache of 2.5 MB. The shared L3 cache is 18 MB. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads, with the same per-core L1 cache of 192 KB but a larger per-core L2 cache of 3 MB. Its shared L3 cache is 36 MB, exactly double that of the Arc G3.

The integrated graphics solutions differ as well. The Arc G3 integrates the Arc B370 GPU, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus integrates the Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The Arc G3 also uses LPDDR5X memory, which is a low-power memory standard, while the Core Ultra 9 uses DDR5.

The socket types are different. The Arc G3 uses Intel BGA 2540, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses Intel BGA 2114. Both are mobile sockets, but they are physically incompatible. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has an unlocked multiplier, while the Arc G3 does not, indicating that the Core Ultra 9 is intended for overclocking-capable platforms.

Specification Differences

The recorded data highlights several key specification differences between the Intel Arc G3 and the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus.

| Specification | Intel Arc G3 | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |

|---------------|--------------|-------------------------------|

| Cores | 14 | 24 |

| Threads | 14 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 1.90 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 25 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2540 | Intel BGA 2114 |

| L2 Cache (per core) | 2.5 MB | 3 MB |

| L3 Cache (shared) | 18 MB | 36 MB |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5X | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 136.5 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc B370 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Unlocked Multiplier | No | Yes |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus leads in core count, clock speeds, cache sizes, PCIe lane count, and feature set. The Arc G3 leads in memory bandwidth and has a lower TDP. The release dates differ: the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus was released on 2026-03-16, while the Arc G3 was released later on 2026-05-27.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark results between the Intel Arc G3 and the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. The Arc G3 has no recorded benchmark scores, and the headToHeadBenchmarks array is empty. As a result, a direct comparison of benchmark scores is not possible from the recorded data.

The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a substantial set of recorded benchmark results. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 39684, and its single-core score is 2356. In Passmark tests, it scores 164839 in integer math, 201773 in floating point math, 658724 in data compression, and 50008 in data encryption. Its single-thread score is 4951, and its multithread score is 59439.

The Arc G3 has no such data. Its average benchmark score is 0, and its percentile rank is 50. In contrast, the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has an average benchmark score of 79574 and a percentile rank of 95. This places the Core Ultra 9 significantly above the Arc G3 in the overall CPU performance distribution.

The nearest rivals to the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus provide context for its performance level. It is 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i9-14900KF, 0.6% ahead of the Intel Core i9-14900K, 0.6% behind the AMD EPYC 7413, and 1.4% behind the Intel Xeon w5-2565X. These figures show that the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus performs at a level comparable to high-end desktop processors, despite being a mobile part.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded data, the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins in nearly every measurable performance category. It has more cores, higher clock speeds, more cache, and a higher percentile ranking. Its benchmark scores, while not directly compared to the Arc G3, demonstrate a level of performance that the Arc G3 cannot match given its lack of recorded results and lower percentile.

The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the clear winner for multi-threaded workloads such as video rendering, 3D modeling, and software compilation. Its 24 cores and 24 threads, combined with a 36 MB L3 cache, provide the resources needed for parallel processing. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39684 supports this assessment. It also wins for single-threaded performance, with a boost clock of 5.50 GHz and a Passmark single-thread score of 4951.

The Core Ultra 9 also wins for systems requiring extensive I/O. Its PCIe Gen 5 support with 20 lanes (CPU only) allows for multiple high-bandwidth devices, such as NVMe SSDs and discrete GPUs. The Arc G3's 4 lanes (CPU only) are severely limited in comparison. The ECC memory support on the Core Ultra 9 also gives it an edge in reliability-critical applications like data servers and financial modeling.

The Intel Arc G3 wins in power efficiency. Its 25 W TDP is less than half of the Core Ultra 9's 55 W TDP. This makes it suitable for fanless or low-power designs where battery life and heat dissipation are primary concerns. The Arc G3 also wins in memory bandwidth, with 136.5 GB/s compared to 102.4 GB/s. Applications that are highly sensitive to memory bandwidth, such as certain scientific simulations, could benefit from this advantage despite the lower core count.

The Arc G3 also has a more advanced integrated GPU, the Arc B370, compared to the Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. For systems that rely on integrated graphics for light gaming or media playback, the Arc G3 may provide a better experience, though no benchmark data is available to quantify this difference.

In summary, the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the performance leader for compute-heavy and I/O-heavy tasks. The Arc G3 is the efficiency leader, suited for compact, low-power systems where memory bandwidth and integrated graphics matter more than raw CPU throughput.