Intel Core Ultra 9 285 vs Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-96-100 Comparison

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 compare to the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-96-100 in core count?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has 24 cores and 24 threads, while the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-96-100 has 18 cores and 18 threads. The Intel part also boosts higher, reaching 5.60 GHz versus 5.00 GHz for the Snapdragon.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-96-100 supports triple-channel LPDDR5X memory with 228.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 uses dual-channel DDR5 with 102.4 GB/s, less than half the bandwidth of the Snapdragon.

Q: Are both processors built on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both use a 3 nm process node from TSMC. The Intel chip has a die size of 243 mm² and contains 17,800 million transistors, while the Snapdragon has a smaller die at 220 mm² with no transistor count recorded in the database.

Q: What is the market positioning of each processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 is a desktop part using Intel Socket 1851, while the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-96-100 is a mobile part using Qualcomm BGA 2343. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $579.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has ECC memory support. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-96-100 does not support ECC memory.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-96-100 uses Adreno X2-90 graphics. No benchmark scores for the Snapdragon are recorded in the database.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, built on the Arrow Lake architecture with the codename Arrow Lake-S. It is a desktop processor with 24 cores and 24 threads, meaning it does not use simultaneous multithreading. The base clock sits at 2.50 GHz and boosts to 5.60 GHz. The L1 cache is 192 KB per core, L2 is 3 MB per core, and L3 is 36 MB shared. The memory controller supports dual-channel DDR5 with a measured bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The chip connects through Intel Socket 1851 and provides PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics come from Arc Xe-LPG with 64 execution units. The multiplier is locked, and the production status is active. The release date in the database is 2024-12-31T17:00:00.000Z.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-96-100 comes from the Snapdragon X2 (Elite) generation with the codename Glymur. It is a mobile processor with 18 cores and 18 threads. The base clock is 4.45 GHz, unusually high for a base frequency, with a boost of 5.00 GHz. The cache hierarchy differs substantially: L1 is 288 KB per core, L2 is 16 MB per module, and L3 is 9 MB shared. Memory support is LPDDR5X over a triple-channel bus, delivering 228.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The socket is Qualcomm BGA 2343, and PCIe is Gen 5 with 12 lanes from the CPU. The integrated GPU is the Adreno X2-90. The die size is 220 mm², also on TSMC 3 nm. No TDP value is recorded for the Snapdragon, and no transistor count is listed. ECC memory is not supported. The release date in the database is 2026-04-05T17:00:00.000Z.

Both parts share the same 3 nm TSMC process, but the architectural direction differs sharply. The Intel chip leans on a large shared L3 pool and a high boost clock for desktop workloads. The Snapdragon counters with a much higher base clock, a wider L1 per core, and a triple-channel memory interface that nearly doubles memory bandwidth. The Intel part has more PCIe lanes, which suits desktop expansion. The Snapdragon uses fewer PCIe lanes, consistent with a mobile platform. The Intel chip includes ECC memory, a feature absent on the Snapdragon.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries for this pairing. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has a full set of recorded scores across Cinebench and Passmark tests. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-96-100 has an empty benchmark array, so no direct comparison can be made from measured results.

The Intel part delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 48945 and a single-core score of 6909. In Cinebench R20, it scores 20556 multi-core and 2901 single-core. The R15 results are 4933 multi-core and 696 single-core. Passmark results show a multi-thread score of 56602 and a single-thread score of 4881. Integer math reaches 164869, floating point math reaches 194988, and extended instructions score 45357. Data compression hits 602121, data encryption scores 46949, and random string sorting reaches 73651. Physics scores 3598, and finding prime numbers scores 459.

The average benchmark score for the Intel processor is 75488, with a percentile rank of 95 among all CPUs. Its nearest rivals in the database are AMD EPYC 8224P at 75582, AMD EPYC 4545P at 75373, AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755X3D at 75716, and AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755 at 75738. The Intel chip sits within 0.3% of these parts, with a delta of -0.1% versus the EPYC 8224P and +0.2% versus the EPYC 4545P. The Snapdragon X2E-96-100 has no average score, no percentile data beyond 50, and no nearest rivals, so it cannot be placed against the Intel part in the recorded measurements.

Without recorded scores for the Snapdragon, the only numerical comparison available is through architectural parameters. The Intel chip has more cores, more threads, and a higher boost clock. The Snapdragon has a higher base clock and more memory bandwidth. The database shows no measured performance data for the Snapdragon, so any performance claim would lack support. The Intel part stands as the only one of the two with verified benchmark results in this dataset.

The Verdict

The data supports the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 as the only processor in this pairing with recorded performance measurements. It holds a 95th percentile rank among all CPUs and an average benchmark score of 75488. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-96-100 has an average score of 0 and no benchmark entries, placing it at the 50th percentile by default.

For desktop workloads, the Intel chip offers 24 cores, a 5.60 GHz boost clock, 36 MB of shared L3 cache, and ECC memory support. These features align with compute-heavy tasks on a desktop platform. The Snapdragon offers a higher base clock, a triple-channel memory bus, and 228.6 GB/s of bandwidth, but it targets the mobile segment and lacks any recorded performance data. The choice depends on the platform: the Intel part is a desktop processor with a verified benchmark profile, while the Snapdragon is a mobile processor without measured scores in the database.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field.

Cores and threads: Intel has 24 cores and 24 threads. Qualcomm has 18 cores and 18 threads.

Clocks: Intel base is 2.50 GHz with a 5.60 GHz boost. Qualcomm base is 4.45 GHz with a 5.00 GHz boost.

TDP: Intel is rated at 65. Qualcomm has no recorded TDP.

Socket: Intel uses Intel Socket 1851. Qualcomm uses Qualcomm BGA 2343.

Architecture: Intel uses Arrow Lake with the codename Arrow Lake-S. Qualcomm has no architecture field, with the codename Glymur.

Process node: Both use 3 nm from TSMC. Intel has a die size of 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors. Qualcomm has a die size of 220 mm² with no transistor count.

Cache: Intel L1 is 192 KB per core, L2 is 3 MB per core, L3 is 36 MB shared. Qualcomm L1 is 288 KB per core, L2 is 16 MB per module, L3 is 9 MB shared.

Memory: Intel supports dual-channel DDR5 with 102.4 GB/s. Qualcomm supports triple-channel LPDDR5X with 228.6 GB/s.

ECC: Intel supports ECC memory. Qualcomm does not.

PCIe: Intel provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. Qualcomm provides Gen 5 with 12 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics: Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG with 64 execution units. Qualcomm uses Adreno X2-90.

Market segment: Intel is desktop. Qualcomm is mobile.

Release date: Intel is 2024-12-31T17:00:00.000Z. Qualcomm is 2026-04-05T17:00:00.000Z.

Launch MSRP: Intel is $579. Qualcomm has no recorded MSRP.

Multiplier: Both are locked.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 wins in core count, thread count, boost clock, L3 cache size, PCIe lane count, ECC support, and desktop platform features. Its 24 cores and 24 threads give it a structural advantage for parallel workloads. The 5.60 GHz boost clock is the highest of the two. The 36 MB shared L3 cache provides a large pool for data reuse. The 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes support multiple expansion devices. ECC memory support makes it suitable for error-sensitive computing. Its benchmark profile is fully recorded, with an average score of 75488 and a 95th percentile rank.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2E-96-100 wins in base clock, L1 cache per core, L2 cache per module, memory bandwidth, and memory channel count. The 4.45 GHz base clock is far above the Intel base clock, which can benefit sustained workloads that do not reach boost. The 288 KB L1 per core is larger than the Intel L1. The 16 MB L2 per module and 9 MB shared L3 form a different cache strategy. The 228.6 GB/s memory bandwidth and triple-channel LPDDR5X support give it a clear memory throughput advantage. The mobile platform and BGA 2343 socket target compact systems.

The database records no measured wins for either processor in head-to-head tests. The Intel part has verified scores across Cinebench and Passmark. The Snapdragon has no recorded scores, so its wins are strictly architectural. For a user choosing based on recorded performance data, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 is the only option with evidence. For a user prioritizing memory bandwidth and a high base clock in a mobile form factor, the Snapdragon offers those specifications, but without benchmark confirmation.