Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus vs Intel Processor U300L Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark database contains no direct head-to-head results between the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus and the Intel Processor U300L. The head-to-head benchmark field is empty, and neither processor has recorded wins in direct comparisons. This absence of matchup data is itself informative: the two CPUs occupy completely different performance tiers, and the database instead places the Ultra 9 290HX Plus against high-end desktop and workstation parts.

The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus sits at the 95th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score is 79,574. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-14900KF with an average score of 79,371, a delta of +0.3 percent in favor of the Ultra 9. The AMD EPYC 7413 scores 80,041, putting the Ultra 9 0.6 percent behind. The Intel Core i9-14900K scores 79,097, with the Ultra 9 ahead by 0.6 percent. The Intel Xeon w5-2565X scores 80,671, placing the Ultra 9 1.4 percent behind. These deltas are narrow, indicating the Ultra 9 290HX Plus delivers performance comparable to established flagship desktop processors despite being a mobile part.

The U300L, by contrast, has no recorded benchmarks in the database. Its average benchmark score is listed as zero, and it has no nearest rivals. Its percentile rank is 50, placing it at the median of all CPUs. Without measured scores, the database cannot quantify its performance relative to the Ultra 9. The data shows a complete performance gulf, but numerical comparison is impossible due to missing benchmark records for the U300L.

For the Ultra 9 290HX Plus, individual benchmark scores reveal its strengths. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 39,684. Its single-core score in the same test is 2,356. Cinebench R20 multi-core yields 21,198, and single-core yields 2,992. Cinebench R15 multi-core reaches 5,981, with single-core at 340. PassMark tests show 658,724 in data compression, 50,008 in data encryption, 51,290 in extended instructions, 519 in prime number finding, 201,773 in floating point math, 164,839 in integer math, 59,439 in multithread, 3,387 in physics, 80,327 in random string sorting, and 4,951 in single-thread performance.

The U300L's benchmark section is empty, so no scores exist to compare. The data confirms the Ultra 9 290HX Plus as a high-performance part, while the U300L's absence from benchmark records means its performance profile remains unmeasured in this database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design lineages. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus belongs to Core Ultra Series 2, with the codename Arrow Lake-HX Refresh and the generation listed as Ultra 9 (Arrow Lake-HX). The Intel Processor U300L uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-PS codename, with the generation labeled Intel Processor (Raptor Lake).

The manufacturing process separates them sharply. The Ultra 9 290HX Plus is built on a 3 nm process node at TSMC, with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The U300L uses a 10 nm process node at Intel, with no transistor count or die size recorded in the database. This process difference explains much of the performance gap, as the 3 nm node allows significantly higher transistor density and power efficiency.

Core counts differ massively. The Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads, all performance-oriented without hyper-threading. The U300L has 5 cores and 6 threads, indicating a mix of performance and efficiency cores with hyper-threading on at least one core. The Ultra 9's core count is nearly five times higher.

Cache hierarchies reflect the core count disparity. The Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The U300L has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Total L3 cache on the Ultra 9 is 4.5 times larger.

Memory support differs as well. The Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth and ECC memory enabled. The U300L supports both DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus, but its memory bandwidth is not recorded, and ECC memory is disabled. The Ultra 9's higher bandwidth suits demanding workloads, while the U300L's dual-generation memory support offers flexibility for lower-cost systems.

PCIe connectivity shows another gap. The Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The U300L uses PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The Ultra 9 provides both a newer standard and more lanes, enabling faster storage and expansion options.

Integrated graphics differ. The Ultra 9 290HX Plus includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The U300L includes UHD Graphics with 48 execution units. The Ultra 9's graphics solution delivers more execution units, which typically translates to higher integrated graphics throughput.

Clock speeds and power targets diverge. The Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, with a TDP of 55 watts. The U300L has a base clock of 1.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, with a TDP of 15 watts. The Ultra 9 runs significantly faster and draws nearly four times the power.

The Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses the Intel BGA 2114 socket, while the U300L uses Intel Socket 1700. The Ultra 9 has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the U300L does not. The Ultra 9's production status is Active, and its release date is recorded as 2026-03-16. The U300L's production status is also Active, with a release date of 2024-04-07. The U300L has a launch MSRP of $107, while the Ultra 9 has no launch MSRP listed in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Processor U300L has 5 cores and 6 threads. The Ultra 9 offers 19 more cores and 18 more threads.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The Ultra 9 290HX Plus runs at a base clock of 2.70 GHz and boosts to 5.50 GHz. The U300L runs at a base clock of 1.20 GHz and boosts to 4.40 GHz. The Ultra 9 has both a higher base and a higher boost clock.

Q: How do their cache sizes compare?

A: The Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The U300L has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 9 has 4.5 times more L3 cache.

Q: Do both processors support DDR5 memory?

A: Yes, both support DDR5. The U300L also supports DDR4, while the Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports DDR5 only. The Ultra 9 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s; the U300L has no recorded bandwidth figure.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a TDP of 55 watts. The U300L has a TDP of 15 watts. The Ultra 9 uses substantially more power.

Q: Which processor has ECC memory support?

A: The Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports ECC memory. The U300L does not.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Processor U300L |

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

| Cores | 24 | 5 |

| Threads | 24 | 6 |

| Base clock | 2.70 GHz | 1.20 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.50 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2114 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Arrow Lake-HX Refresh | Raptor Lake-PS |

| Generation | Ultra 9 (Arrow Lake-HX) | Intel Processor (Raptor Lake) |

| Process node | 3 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 17,800 million | Not recorded |

| Die size | 243 mm² | Not recorded |

| L1 cache | 192 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 3 MB per core | 1.25 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 36 MB shared | 8 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 102.4 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 lanes | Gen 4, 8 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU | UHD Graphics 48EU |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Release date | 2026-03-16 | 2024-04-07 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $107 |

The Verdict

The database positions the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus as a high-performance mobile processor. Its 95th percentile rank, average benchmark score of 79,574, and near-parity with flagship desktop CPUs such as the Core i9-14900KF and i9-14900K confirm it belongs in the top tier of available processors. The narrow deltas against these rivals, ranging from 0.6 percent ahead to 1.4 percent behind, show the Ultra 9 delivers competitive multi-core throughput in a mobile form factor.

The Intel Processor U300L occupies a different class entirely. With no benchmark scores recorded, the database cannot quantify its performance. Its 50th percentile rank places it at the median of all CPUs. The U300L's 5 cores, 15-watt TDP, and 8 MB of L3 cache indicate a low-power part designed for efficiency rather than throughput. Its launch MSRP of $107 positions it at the entry level, though pricing details should not be interpreted beyond the stated figure.

The data shows no overlap in intended roles. The Ultra 9 290HX Plus targets workloads demanding multi-core performance, as evidenced by its 24 cores, 36 MB of L3 cache, and 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth. The U300L targets power-constrained scenarios, with its 15-watt TDP and dual-generation memory support. The choice between them depends entirely on whether the workload prioritizes raw compute or minimal power draw.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins in every measured performance category. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39,684, R20 multi-core score of 21,198, and R15 multi-core score of 5,981 indicate strong sustained multi-threaded compute. PassMark tests confirm this pattern: 658,724 in data compression, 201,773 in floating point math, 164,839 in integer math, and 59,439 in multithread performance. Single-thread performance also favors the Ultra 9, with a PassMark single-thread score of 4,951 and a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2,356.

The Ultra 9 further wins on architectural grounds. Its 3 nm process node, 36 MB of L3 cache, PCIe Gen 5 support, and ECC memory capability make it suitable for demanding professional workloads. The 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth supports data-intensive applications. Its unlocked multiplier allows tuning, and its Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units provides more integrated graphics headroom than the U300L's 48 execution units.

The Intel Processor U300L wins on power efficiency and platform flexibility. Its 15-watt TDP represents a fraction of the Ultra 9's 55-watt TDP, making it suitable for passively cooled or battery-sensitive designs. Its support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory allows system builders to use older, more widely available memory modules. Its Intel Socket 1700 platform may integrate more easily into existing desktop-oriented designs. The U300L's earlier release date of 2024-04-07 also means it has a longer market presence.

The data shows no scenario where the U300L outperforms the Ultra 9 in raw benchmark scores, because the U300L has no recorded scores. The U300L's advantages are structural: lower power draw, dual memory generation support, and a lower launch MSRP of $107. The Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins all measurable performance comparisons, while the U300L wins on operational characteristics that the benchmark database does not score.