Intel Core i9-14900KS vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Comparison

The Intel Core i9-14900KS and the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus represent two distinct design philosophies from the same manufacturer. The data shows the 14900KS leans on extreme clock speeds for desktop dominance, while the 290HX Plus prioritizes efficiency and modern node technology for mobile platforms. Despite both packing 24 cores, their benchmark profiles diverge sharply, revealing that architectural approach matters more than core count alone.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking discrepancy appears in single-threaded performance. The i9-14900KS delivers a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 7199, which is 205.6% higher than the 290HX Plus’s 2356. Similarly, in Cinebench R15 single-core, the 14900KS leads by 113.2%, posting 725 versus 340. This is a categorical victory for the desktop part, driven by its 6.20 GHz boost clock compared to the mobile chip’s 5.50 GHz. The gap is less extreme but still present in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the 14900KS wins by 1% (3023 vs 2992).

Multi-threaded results paint a more nuanced picture. The 14900KS takes Cinebench R23 multi-core with 50995 points, a 28.5% margin over the 290HX Plus’s 39684. However, the tables turn in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the 290HX Plus scores 5981, beating the 14900KS by 14.1%. The R20 multi-core test is nearly a tie, with the 14900KS edging ahead by just 1% (21417 vs 21198). This inconsistency suggests the 290HX Plus can leverage its architecture effectively under shorter workloads, but the 14900KS’s higher sustained power budget wins longer rendering tasks.

PassMark tests reveal a clear division of labor. The 14900KS dominates integer math with 212644 points, a 29% advantage, and leads data compression by 22% (803368 vs 658724). Random string sorting also favors the desktop chip by 11.8%. Conversely, the 290HX Plus wins floating-point math decisively, scoring 201773 against 153975, a 23.7% lead. It also excels at finding prime numbers, nearly doubling the 14900KS’s score (519 vs 244, a 53% delta). Extended instructions go to the mobile part by 11.2%, and data encryption sees a 4.6% win for the 290HX Plus.

The overall win tally is close: the 14900KS wins 9 benchmarks, while the 290HX Plus wins 8. The average benchmark scores reflect this near-parity, with the 14900KS at 81127 and the 290HX Plus at 79574. Both sit in the 95th-96th percentile of all CPUs, reinforcing that these are high-end parts with different specialization areas rather than one being universally superior.

Architecture Differences

The foundational split lies in process technology. The i9-14900KS uses Intel’s 10 nm process with a die size of 257 mm², fabricated in-house. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus moves to TSMC’s 3 nm node, shrinking the die to 243 mm² while packing 17,800 million transistors. This node advantage explains the mobile chip’s dramatically lower 55 W TDP versus the desktop’s 150 W, despite similar core counts.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. The 14900KS provides 80 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, while the 290HX Plus offers 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 per core. Both share 36 MB of L3, but the mobile part’s larger per-core caches likely contribute to its efficiency in certain workloads. The 14900KS uses the Raptor Lake architecture (Raptor Lake-R codename), while the 290HX Plus is based on Arrow Lake-HX Refresh, a newer design under the Core Ultra Series 2 banner.

Memory support also differs. The 14900KS supports both DDR4 and DDR5, whereas the 290HX Plus is DDR5-only. The mobile chip has a stated memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the desktop part’s bandwidth is not listed. PCIe lanes favor the 290HX Plus with 20 Gen 5 lanes, compared to 16 on the 14900KS. Integrated graphics differ as well: the 14900KS uses UHD Graphics 770, while the 290HX Plus features Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.

Socket and form factor are fundamental. The 14900KS fits Intel Socket 1700 for desktops, while the 290HX Plus uses Intel BGA 2114, a soldered mobile package. The 14900KS launched in March 2024 with a launch MSRP of $689, while the 290HX Plus’s release date is set for March 2026 with no listed MSRP. Both have unlocked multipliers, but the desktop part’s 6.20 GHz boost clock versus the mobile’s 5.50 GHz reflects the thermal headroom difference.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-14900KS is the clear choice for single-threaded and integer-heavy applications. Its 205.6% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 113.2% lead in R15 single-core make it ideal for legacy software, lightly threaded games, and tasks where per-core speed is paramount. The 29% win in integer math and 22% win in data compression point to strengths in code compilation, spreadsheet calculations, and file archiving. Random string sorting’s 11.8% advantage further supports use cases involving data processing and database operations.

The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus excels in floating-point and parallel math workloads. Its 23.7% lead in floating-point math suggests superiority in scientific simulations, 3D rendering, and financial modeling that relies on decimal precision. The 53% win in prime number finding indicates strength in cryptography and number theory applications. Data encryption’s 4.6% lead and extended instructions’ 11.2% advantage make it suitable for security-related workloads and modern SIMD-heavy code. The near-tie in PassMark physics (3387 vs 3381) shows both handle basic physics calculations similarly, but the mobile chip’s efficiency means it can sustain these workloads in thermal-constrained environments.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS scores 7199, which is 205.6% higher than the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus’s 2356.

Q: Does the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus win any multi-threaded benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with 5981 points, a 14.1% advantage over the 14900KS’s 5140. The R20 multi-core test is essentially tied, with the 14900KS ahead by just 1%.

Q: How do the transistor counts compare?

A: The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, while the i9-14900KS’s transistor count is not listed; it uses a 257 mm² die.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i9-14900KS has a 150 W TDP, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus runs at 55 W, reflecting the mobile chip’s efficiency focus.

Q: Which CPU has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus offers 20 Gen 5 lanes, compared to 16 Gen 5 lanes on the i9-14900KS.

Q: Are both CPUs unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, both the i9-14900KS and the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus have unlocked multipliers.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on use case. The Intel Core i9-14900KS is the superior processor for anyone prioritizing maximum single-thread performance, integer math, and sustained multi-core rendering. Its 28.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 205.6% lead in single-core make it the default pick for desktop enthusiasts who have the power budget and cooling to handle a 150 W TDP. The 96th percentile ranking and higher average benchmark score (81127 vs 79574) reinforce its edge in general-purpose computing.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the better choice for floating-point-heavy workloads and efficiency-sensitive applications. Its wins in floating-point math, prime number finding, and encryption, combined with a 55 W TDP, make it highly attractive for mobile workstations where battery life and thermal limits are critical. The 95th percentile ranking shows it remains competitive with desktop parts despite its mobility focus. Users who run scientific simulations, cryptography, or SIMD-optimized code will find the 290HX Plus’s 23.7% floating-point lead compelling.

In short, the 14900KS wins where clock speed matters; the 290HX Plus wins where architecture efficiency and modern node advantages shine. Neither is a universal victor, but each dominates its intended domain.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-14900KS | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |

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

| Series | Core 14th Gen | Core Ultra Series 2 |

| Cores | 24 | 24 |

| Threads | 32 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 6.20 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 150 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2114 |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 257 mm² | 243 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 17,800 million |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

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

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 102.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2024-03-13 | 2026-03-16 |

| Launch MSRP | $689 | Not listed |

| Part Number | SRN7R | SADSS |