Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus vs Intel Processor U302L Comparison

# Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus vs Intel Processor U302L

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus and Intel Processor U302L occupy opposite ends of the mobile processor spectrum. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is a 24-core, 24-thread flagship with a 5.50 GHz boost clock, while the Intel Processor U302L is a 5-core, 6-thread part with a 2.40 GHz boost clock. The database shows the Ultra 9 290HX Plus sits at the 95th percentile among all CPUs, whereas the U302L lands at the 50th percentile. The performance gap between these two is enormous, and the data makes that clear.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins in every measurable workload category recorded in the database. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39,684 dwarfs what a 5-core, 6-thread processor could produce. In single-threaded tasks, the Ultra 9 290HX Plus delivers a PassMark single-thread score of 4,951, a figure that reflects its 5.50 GHz boost capability. The U302L has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, which means its raw performance numbers are unavailable for direct comparison.

The U302L wins in efficiency-oriented aspects, not in raw performance. Its 15 W TDP is dramatically lower than the 55 W TDP of the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. The U302L also uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, while the Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses Intel BGA 2114. For workloads that prioritize low power consumption and platform compatibility, the U302L has a clear role. The Ultra 9 290HX Plus, by contrast, is designed for heavy multi-threaded workloads, as shown by its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39,684 and its PassMark multithread score of 59,439.

The benchmark data indicates the Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the only one of the two with recorded performance metrics. Its avgBenchmarkScore of 79,574 places it 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i9-14900KF (avg score 79,371) and 0.6% ahead of the Intel Core i9-14900K (avg score 79,097). It trails the AMD EPYC 7413 by 0.6% (80,041) and the Intel Xeon w5-2565X by 1.4% (80,671). These rival comparisons show the Ultra 9 290HX Plus competes directly with desktop-class processors, not low-power mobile parts.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and manufacturing approaches. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is part of Core Ultra Series 2, with the codename Arrow Lake-HX Refresh and a 3 nm process node manufactured by TSMC. The U302L uses the Raptor Lake architecture, codename Raptor Lake-PS, on Intel's 10 nm process node. The manufacturing difference is substantial: the 3 nm TSMC node versus Intel's 10 nm node.

The Ultra 9 290HX Plus packs 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The U302L has no transistor count or die size recorded in the database. Cache configurations differ significantly as well. The Ultra 9 290HX Plus offers 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The U302L provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 10 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 9's 36 MB L3 is 3.6 times larger than the U302L's 10 MB.

The Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports only DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. The U302L supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, but its memory bandwidth is not recorded. ECC memory support also differs: the Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports ECC, while the U302L does not. PCIe capabilities diverge as well, with the Ultra 9 290HX Plus offering Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes versus the U302L's Gen 4 with 8 CPU lanes.

The integrated graphics differ too. The Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units, while the U302L has UHD Graphics with 80 execution units. The U302L's iGPU has more execution units, though the architectures are different generations. The Ultra 9 290HX Plus has an unlocked multiplier; the U302L does not.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Processor U302L has 5 cores and 6 threads. The Ultra 9 290HX Plus provides 19 additional cores and 18 additional threads.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a 2.70 GHz base clock and a 5.50 GHz boost clock. The U302L has a 1.20 GHz base clock and a 2.40 GHz boost clock. The Ultra 9's boost clock is 3.10 GHz higher.

Q: How do their power requirements compare?

A: The Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a 55 W TDP, while the U302L has a 15 W TDP. The U302L requires 40 W less power according to the recorded TDP figures.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports DDR5 only. The U302L supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: What is the release timing for each?

A: The Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a release date of 2026-03-16. The U302L has a release date of 2024-04-07. The U302L was released earlier by roughly two years.

Q: Is the Ultra 9 290HX Plus competitive with other high-end CPUs?

A: Yes. The database shows the Ultra 9 290HX Plus has an avgBenchmarkScore of 79,574, which is 0.3% above the Intel Core i9-14900KF (79,371) and 0.6% above the Intel Core i9-14900K (79,097). It is 0.6% below the AMD EPYC 7413 (80,041) and 1.4% below the Intel Xeon w5-2565X (80,671).

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification field.

| Specification | Ultra 9 290HX Plus | U302L |

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

| Cores | 24 | 5 |

| Threads | 24 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 1.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.50 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2114 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Arrow Lake-HX Refresh | 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 | 10 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 64EU | UHD Graphics 80EU |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

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

| Launch MSRP | None recorded | $285 |

The cache hierarchy shows the Ultra 9 290HX Plus has more than double the L1 cache per core, 2.4 times the L2 per core, and 3.6 times the L3 shared cache. The U302L's launch MSRP is $285, while the Ultra 9 290HX Plus has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries between these two processors, and the U302L has no standalone benchmark scores recorded. All performance comparisons must therefore rely on the Ultra 9 290HX Plus's benchmark suite and its rival comparisons.

The Ultra 9 290HX Plus shows strong multi-threaded performance across Cinebench versions. Its Cinebench R15 multi-core score is 5,981, its R20 multi-core score is 21,198, and its R23 multi-core score is 39,684. Single-core scores scale similarly: R15 single-core at 340, R20 single-core at 2,992, and R23 single-core at 2,356. The PassMark suite confirms the pattern with a multithread score of 59,439 and a single-thread score of 4,951.

The data shows the Ultra 9 290HX Plus handles specialized workloads well. Its PassMark data compression score is 658,724, data encryption is 50,008, and extended instructions are 51,290. Integer math reaches 164,839, floating-point math reaches 201,773, and physics reaches 3,387. Random string sorting scores 80,327. The find prime numbers score of 519 is the lowest recorded figure, suggesting this workload is less favorable to the architecture.

The rival comparisons place the Ultra 9 290HX Plus in elite company. It is 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i9-14900KF (79,371), 0.6% ahead of the Intel Core i9-14900K (79,097), 0.6% behind the AMD EPYC 7413 (80,041), and 1.4% behind the Intel Xeon w5-2565X (80,671). These deltas are small, indicating the Ultra 9 290HX Plus performs within a tight band around these established desktop and server processors.

The U302L, lacking any recorded benchmarks, cannot be positioned in the same performance tier. Its 5-core, 6-thread configuration and 15 W TDP suggest a fundamentally different design goal, but without benchmark data, no quantitative comparison is possible. The percentile placement confirms this: the Ultra 9 290HX Plus sits at the 95th percentile, while the U302L sits at the 50th.

The Verdict

The data separates these two processors into distinct categories. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is a high-performance mobile processor aimed at demanding multi-threaded workloads. Its 24 cores, 36 MB L3 cache, 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth, and 95th percentile ranking place it among the fastest CPUs in the database. Its benchmark scores show it trading blows with desktop-class rivals like the Intel Core i9-14900KF and i9-14900K, coming within 1.4% of the Intel Xeon w5-2565X.

The Intel Processor U302L is a low-power mobile part with a 15 W TDP, 5 cores, and support for both DDR4 and DDR5. It has no recorded benchmark scores, so its performance cannot be quantified from the database. Its 50th percentile ranking and $285 launch MSRP indicate a mainstream position.

Users who need maximum compute throughput should select the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. The recorded data confirms it delivers top-tier multi-core and single-core performance. Users who need minimal power draw, DDR4 compatibility, or an Intel Socket 1700 footprint should consider the U302L. The choice comes down to whether the workload demands performance or efficiency, and the database clearly shows which processor serves which purpose.