Intel Core Ultra 9 288V

The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is a mobile processor released on September 23, 2024, as part of Intel's Core Ultra Series 2. Built on the Lunar Lake architecture and fabricated by TSMC on a 3 nm process, this chip combines 8 cores and 8 threads with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. It integrates an Arc 140V GPU and supports LPDDR5X memory over a dual-channel bus, providing 136.5 GB/s of bandwidth. The processor is mounted on the Intel BGA 2833 socket and carries a TDP of 30 W. It does not support ECC memory and offers PCIe Gen 5 with 4 lanes. In aggregate benchmarking, it records an average score of 23887, placing it in the 81st percentile of all CPUs tracked.

Who Should Consider It

The workload profile of the Core Ultra 9 288V is defined by a sharp contrast between exceptional single-thread agility and moderate multi-thread throughput. For office productivity and general desktop use, the Passmark single-thread score of 4333 and integer math score of 44476 indicate snappy response in spreadsheets, web browsers, and document editing. The data compression score of 187935 suggests strong performance in file archiving and backup utilities. For content creation, the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 17016 allows for competent photo editing and light 1080p video editing, though the 8-thread limit will become a bottleneck in heavy 3D rendering or long-form 4K exports. The integrated Arc 140V GPU, paired with 136.5 GB/s of LPDDR5X memory bandwidth, makes this a viable option for casual gaming and esports titles without a discrete graphics card. Data encryption scores of 14405 and floating-point math of 60422 support scientific computing and financial modeling workloads. However, users who rely on heavily threaded tasks such as software compilation or distributed rendering should look elsewhere, as the lack of simultaneous multithreading (8 threads on 8 cores) caps scaling. The 81st percentile ranking confirms it is a well-above-average mobile processor for its target segment of thin-and-light laptops. The recent release date of September 23, 2024, means this is a current-generation part. For gamers, the combination of the Arc 140V iGPU and the 136.5 GB/s memory bandwidth means modern esports titles can run smoothly at moderate settings, while the high single-thread score of 4333 ensures that game physics and AI calculations remain responsive. For office workers, the data compression score of 187935 accelerates file transfers and zip operations, while the integer math score of 44476 handles complex spreadsheets with ease. The lack of ECC memory support is acceptable for consumer workloads but disqualifies it for certain enterprise servers. The 8-core, 8-thread configuration is a deliberate choice to maximize efficiency, and the 3.30 GHz base clock ensures a stable floor for sustained workloads.

Power and Thermals

The 30 W TDP places the Core Ultra 9 288V firmly in the efficient mobile class. This low power envelope, enabled by the 3 nm TSMC process node, means that a slim, low-profile cooling solution—such as a thin heat pipe or a small blower fan—is sufficient to maintain sustained performance. The processor is soldered to the motherboard via the Intel BGA 2833 socket, rendering it non-upgradeable. The multiplier is locked (multiplierUnlocked: false), so end-users cannot overclock to extract additional performance. The low TDP is a direct benefit of the 8-thread configuration and the energy-efficient Lunar Lake architecture. Systems built around this chip will prioritize battery life and quiet acoustics over raw thermal headroom. The absence of ECC memory support further aligns it with consumer and mainstream business laptops rather than mission-critical workstations. The PCIe Gen 5 support, limited to 4 lanes, is sufficient for a high-speed SSD but not for multi-GPU configurations.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

Benchmark results reveal a pronounced divergence between single-thread and multi-thread performance. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2402 is exceptionally high, while the multi-core score of 17016 yields a ratio of approximately 7.1x. In Passmark, the single-thread score of 4333 against a multithread score of 20093 produces a ratio of about 4.6x. This discrepancy stems from the 5.10 GHz boost clock, which drives outstanding burst performance, combined with the absence of SMT, which limits parallel scaling. For real-world applications, this means that single-threaded tasks—such as legacy software, audio plugins, database queries, and game logic—will execute with exceptional speed. Conversely, multi-threaded workloads like video transcoding, 3D rendering, and batch file conversion will see performance drop off relative to the chip's single-core excellence. The Cinebench R15 single-core score of 241 and multi-core score of 1715 follow the same pattern, confirming the consistency of this behavior across benchmark versions. The high boost clock is the primary driver of the single-thread advantage, making this an ideal chip for users who prioritize interactive responsiveness over raw throughput.

How It Compares

The nearest rivals for the Core Ultra 9 288V are all AMD processors, and the aggregate score differences are negligible. Against the AMD Ryzen 5 220, the Intel chip posts an average score of 23887 versus 23867, a delta of 0.1% in favor of the Intel part. This effectively places them in a dead heat, though the Intel chip's single-thread score of 4333 gives it an edge in lightly threaded applications. Against the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS, the scores are 23887 versus 23864, again a 0.1% advantage for the Intel chip. The Intel part's 5.10 GHz boost clock and 3 nm process node contribute to its efficient performance. Against the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS, the Intel chip is 0.1% behind, with scores of 23887 versus 23910. This means the Ultra 9 288V matches the aggregate performance of a previous-generation flagship, despite its 8-thread configuration. Against the AMD Ryzen 5 8540U, the Intel chip is 0.1% behind, with scores of 23887 versus 23918. The difference is within the margin of error, making them interchangeable in terms of overall throughput. The fact that all four rivals are AMD parts highlights the competitive landscape Intel faces in the mobile segment. The Intel chip's advantage lies not in aggregate throughput, but in its specific single-thread and integrated graphics capabilities.

Benchmark Performance

The aggregate data places the Core Ultra 9 288V at the 81st percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 23887. In Cinebench R15, the multi-core score is 1715 and the single-core score is 241. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core score rises to 7146 and single-core to 1008. The Cinebench R23 results show a multi-core score of 17016 and a single-core score of 2402, highlighting the chip's single-core dominance. In Passmark tests, the multithread score is 20093, while the single-thread score is 4333. The integer math score is 44476, and floating-point math is 60422, indicating strong computational capability for number-crunching tasks. Extended instructions score 15826, and data compression reaches 187935. Random string sorting scores 22847, while find prime numbers scores 202. Physics simulation scores 1671. Compared to its nearest rivals, the deltas are all within 0.1%: 0.1% ahead of the Ryzen 5 220 and Ryzen 7 7735HS, and 0.1% behind the Ryzen 9 6900HS and Ryzen 5 8540U. This indicates that the Core Ultra 9 288V is statistically tied with all four rivals in aggregate performance. However, the Intel chip's specific strengths in single-threaded tests and its integrated Arc 140V GPU provide a distinct character within this tied grouping. The 81st percentile ranking confirms it is a solidly above-average mobile processor, with the high single-thread scores being the standout feature. The Passmark single-thread score is also recorded as 4333 under the alias 'singlethread', confirming data consistency.