Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep in this comparison. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus wins 17 of 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. There is not a single test in the database where the mobile Ultra 9 comes out ahead.

The largest single margin appears in PassMark extended instructions, where the Ultra 7 270K Plus scores 63506 against 51290 for the Ultra 9 290HX Plus, a 23.8% advantage. This is followed closely by data compression at 804322 versus 658724, a 22.1% lead. Random string sorting shows a 20.7% gap (96945 vs 80327), and physics simulation posts a 20% difference (4064 vs 3387).

In the Cinebench suite, the Ultra 7 270K Plus leads by 11.3% in R15 multi-core (6656 vs 5981), 15.4% in R20 multi-core (24461 vs 21198), and 11.5% in R23 multi-core (44253 vs 39684). Single-core margins are narrower but still consistent: 4.1% in R15 (354 vs 340), 15.4% in R20 (3453 vs 2992), and 3.5% in R23 (2439 vs 2356).

The PassMark single-thread result narrows the gap to just 2.4% (5068 vs 4951). Integer math is also relatively close at 6.8% (175986 vs 164839). Data encryption shows an 18.2% lead (59097 vs 50008), and find prime numbers shows an 18.5% edge (615 vs 519). Floating point math lands at 13.7% (229491 vs 201773), while multithread shows 15.4% (68574 vs 59439).

The average benchmark score for the Ultra 7 270K Plus is 93785, compared to 79574 for the Ultra 9 290HX Plus. That places the desktop part in the 96th percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the mobile part sits in the 95th percentile. The gap in raw average is approximately 17.8%, a substantial margin for two processors that share the same core count, thread count, process node, and cache structure.

Where Each One Wins

The Ultra 7 270K Plus wins everywhere according to the data. The desktop processor delivers higher scores in every workload category recorded: rendering, compression, encryption, physics, sorting, integer math, floating point math, and single-threaded tasks. The largest advantages appear in extended instruction workloads and data compression, where the desktop chip leads by more than 20%. The smallest edge is in single-thread performance, where the Ultra 7 still leads but by only 2.4%.

The Ultra 9 290HX Plus does not record a single winning benchmark in the database. Its strengths are relative rather than absolute. The mobile chip posts an average score of 79574, which places it near the Intel Core i9-14900KF (79371, a 0.3% gap in favor of the Ultra 9), the AMD EPYC 7413 (80041, 0.6% behind), and the Intel Core i9-14900K (79097, 0.6% ahead). The Ultra 9 290HX Plus also trails the Intel Xeon w5-2565X by 1.4% (80671). This indicates the mobile processor is competitive with high-end desktop parts from the previous generation, even though it falls short of the Ultra 7 270K Plus.

The Ultra 7 270K Plus, by contrast, sits alongside the Intel Xeon 6520P (93786, a 0% delta), the AMD EPYC 4564P (95183, 1.5% behind), the AMD EPYC 9175F (95615, 1.9% behind), and the AMD EPYC 4565P (95764, 2.1% behind). The desktop processor's nearest rivals are all dual-socket or high-core server chips, which shows the level of multi-threaded performance it reaches.

The Verdict

The data indicates a decisive result. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is the faster processor in every measured benchmark. It leads by double digits in most multi-threaded and compute-heavy workloads, and it retains a lead, albeit smaller, in single-thread tests. The desktop chip's 96th percentile standing and average score of 93785 place it in a higher performance tier than the Ultra 9 290HX Plus, which averages 79574 and sits in the 95th percentile.

The Ultra 9 290HX Plus is a mobile processor with a 55 TDP, while the Ultra 7 270K Plus is a desktop part with a 125 TDP. The performance difference is consistent with that power envelope gap. The mobile chip is not a poor performer in absolute terms: it matches or slightly exceeds several desktop processors from the previous generation in the database's nearest rival comparisons. But in a direct head-to-head, the Ultra 7 270K Plus is the clear choice based on benchmark results.

Users selecting between these two should rely on the workload data. The Ultra 7 270K Plus offers the higher scores across the board, with particularly large margins in data compression, extended instructions, and physics. The Ultra 9 290HX Plus offers lower scores but in a mobile form factor. The recorded benchmarks do not show any workload where the mobile chip is preferable on performance grounds alone.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has an average benchmark score of 93785, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus averages 79574.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap in Cinebench R23?

A: The Ultra 7 270K Plus scores 44253 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, compared to 39684 for the Ultra 9 290HX Plus, a lead of 11.5%.

Q: Which CPU wins the single-thread tests?

A: The Ultra 7 270K Plus wins all single-thread tests. In PassMark single-thread it scores 5068 versus 4951, a 2.4% margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core it scores 2439 versus 2356, a 3.5% margin.

Q: What is the biggest performance difference between the two?

A: The largest recorded gap is in PassMark extended instructions, where the Ultra 7 270K Plus leads by 23.8% with a score of 63506 versus 51290.

Q: How does the Ultra 9 290HX Plus compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Ultra 9 290HX Plus averages 79574, which 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.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 24 cores and 24 threads, with 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache.

Architecture Differences

Both processors belong to the Core Ultra Series 2 family, but they target different market segments. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is a desktop processor using the Intel Socket 1851, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is a mobile processor using the Intel BGA 2114 socket. The codenames differ as well: Arrow Lake Refresh for the desktop part and Arrow Lake-HX Refresh for the mobile part.

The manufacturing details are identical. Both use a 3 nm process from TSMC, with 17,800 million transistors and a die size of 243 mm². The cache hierarchy matches exactly: 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. Neither processor includes 3D V-Cache.

Power characteristics differ significantly. The Ultra 7 270K Plus has a TDP of 125, while the Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a TDP of 55. The base clock also differs: the desktop chip runs at 3.70 GHz, while the mobile chip runs at 2.70 GHz. Both boost to 5.50 GHz and both have an unlocked multiplier.

Memory support is DDR5 for both, with dual-channel buses. The desktop chip records a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, while the mobile chip records 102.4 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity is identical: Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The integrated graphics are the same, Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units.

Release timing is close. The Ultra 7 270K Plus entered production status with a release date of 2026-03-10, and the Ultra 9 290HX Plus followed on 2026-03-16. The desktop part carries a launch MSRP of $299, while the mobile part has no recorded launch MSRP. Both are listed as active production parts with part numbers SA4V6 and SADSS respectively.

The key architectural takeaways are the shared silicon design, identical cache and process details, and the divergence in clock speeds, TDP, and memory bandwidth. The desktop part runs at a higher base clock and draws more power, which explains its consistent performance lead across all 17 recorded benchmarks.