Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
Unlocked
Integrated GPU
ECC Memory
NPUAt a Glance
IntelIntel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Specifications
Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus features 24 physical cores and 24 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
Ultra 9 290HX Plus Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Intel Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is built on Intel's 3 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in Ultra 9 290HX Plus incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 55W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel BGA 2114 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses the Intel BGA 2114 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel BGA 2114 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the Ultra 9 290HX Plus define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Intel's Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the Ultra 9 290HX Plus provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus by Intel AI & NPU
Neural processing capabilities
The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus features a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for accelerating AI and machine learning workloads. This specialized hardware offloads AI tasks from the CPU cores, improving efficiency in applications like real-time video enhancement, noise cancellation, and intelligent assistants. NPU performance is measured in TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second), with higher values indicating faster AI processing. The NPU enables on-device AI capabilities without relying on cloud services, enhancing privacy and reducing latency.
Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
About Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
Who Should Consider It
The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is a mobile processor aimed at users who need desktop-class compute in a laptop chassis. Based on the benchmark data, this chip sits in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, meaning it outperforms roughly 95% of the processors in the database. That placement alone tells you this is not a mainstream part. It is a halo mobile part for heavy lifting.
For gaming, the data suggests this is a strong option, but not necessarily the best fit. The single-thread score of 4951 in PassMark and 2356 in Cinebench R23 single-core are solid numbers, but they are not the headline story here. Games rely heavily on single-thread performance, and while the 290HX Plus is competitive, its real strength lies elsewhere. If you are building a gaming laptop that also needs to render video or compile code, this chip makes sense. If gaming is the sole purpose, a chip with a higher single-thread score would be a better match.
For content creation and professional workloads, this is where the 290HX Plus earns its keep. The multi-threaded scores are exceptional: 39,684 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 59,439 in PassMark multithread. Video editors, 3D animators, and software developers who compile large projects will see massive benefits from these numbers. The PassMark data compression score of 658,724 and encryption score of 50,008 further reinforce that this chip is designed for sustained, heavy computational tasks. If your workflow involves rendering, encoding, or simulation, this processor will crush those jobs.
For office and general productivity, the 290HX Plus is massively overkill. The data shows a processor that is 95th percentile across all CPUs. Spreadsheets, email, and web browsing will not utilize even a fraction of its capability. That said, the high multi-thread score means that if you occasionally run a heavy batch job—like a large Excel macro or a database query—it will finish in a fraction of the time a typical office CPU would take. But for pure office work, you are paying for performance you will rarely touch.
The architecture is Arrow Lake-HX Refresh from the Core Ultra Series 2 generation. It is built on a 3nm process at TSMC with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. This is a modern, high-end part. The 24 cores and 24 threads (note: no hyperthreading, so thread count equals core count) make it a parallel-processing monster. If your software scales well with multiple cores, this is one of the best mobile options in the database.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance is the defining characteristic of this chip. In Cinebench R15, the single-core score is 340 while the multi-core score is 5,981—a ratio of about 17.6x. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 2,356 while multi-core is 39,684—a ratio of about 16.8x. These ratios tell a clear story: this processor scales almost linearly with core count. That is unusual and impressive.
What does this mean in practice? For single-threaded workloads, the 290HX Plus is good but not class-leading. The PassMark single-thread score of 4,951 places it in the upper tier, but it is not the absolute top. Games that rely on one or two cores, legacy software, and certain scripting tasks will run well, but you will not see the same leap over mainstream chips that you see in multi-threaded tasks.
For multi-threaded workloads, the story is completely different. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39,684 is within striking distance of desktop flagship processors. The PassMark multithread score of 59,439 confirms this. The data indicates that if your software can use all 24 cores, you get nearly linear scaling. This is rare in mobile parts and makes the chip ideal for rendering farms, scientific computing, and video encoding.
The practical implication is that you need to know your workload. If you run a mix of single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks, this chip handles both competently. But its true advantage is in multi-threaded scenarios. The data shows a processor that is a specialist in parallel compute, with single-thread performance that is merely competitive. For a laptop, this is a trade-off worth understanding: you get desktop-like multi-core grunt, but you are not buying the fastest single-core chip in the database.
The PassMark physics score of 3,387 and the integer math score of 164,839 further illustrate this point. Integer math, which is highly parallelizable, is exceptional. Physics, which often has sequential dependencies, is merely good. If your workload is embarrassingly parallel, this chip will shine. If it is inherently sequential, you might be better served by a chip with a higher single-thread score.
Platform and Compatibility
The 290HX Plus uses the Intel BGA 2114 socket, which means it is soldered to the motherboard. This is a mobile part, so there is no upgrade path for the CPU itself. You are locked into this processor for the life of the laptop. That is a critical consideration for anyone who likes to upgrade components over time.
Memory support is DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. The memory bandwidth is rated at 102.4 GB/s. This is a high-bandwidth setup that complements the multi-core performance. The chip also supports ECC memory, which is a significant feature for workstation users who need data integrity. Error-correcting code memory is typically found in server and professional parts, so its inclusion here signals that Intel is targeting this chip at serious compute tasks.
For PCIe, the CPU provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes. This is the latest PCIe generation and gives you modern connectivity for GPUs and NVMe drives. Twenty lanes is a generous allocation for a mobile part, allowing for a full x16 GPU connection plus additional lanes for storage. If you are planning to use this in a laptop with a high-end discrete GPU, the Gen 5 lanes ensure you are not bandwidth-limited.
The integrated graphics is an Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU unit. This is not a gaming GPU, but it provides a fallback for display output and light graphics tasks. The data does not include any iGPU benchmarks, but the presence of 64 execution units suggests it can handle video decode and basic 2D/3D acceleration. For a laptop with a discrete GPU, this integrated graphics is mostly for power saving and multi-display setups.
The multiplier is unlocked, which is notable for a mobile chip. This means the processor can be overclocked if the laptop's BIOS and cooling allow it. However, the 55W TDP (more on that later) suggests thermal headroom is limited. The production status is active, and the release date is 2026-03-16, so this is a current part. The part number is SADSS.
The upgrade path is essentially nonexistent due to the BGA socket. If you want more performance later, you will need a new laptop. That said, the 95th percentile performance means you are unlikely to need an upgrade for several years. The platform is modern—DDR5, PCIe Gen 5, ECC support—so it will not be a bottleneck for any peripheral or component you pair with it.
How It Compares
The nearest rivals in the database are three Intel desktop processors and one AMD server chip. This is telling: the 290HX Plus is a mobile part that performs in the same league as high-end desktop and server CPUs.
Intel Core i9-14900KF: This rival has an average score of 79,371, and the 290HX Plus is 0.3% ahead. That is a statistical tie. The i9-14900KF is a desktop flagship with 24 threads (8 P-cores plus 16 E-cores with hyperthreading on the P-cores). The fact that a 55W mobile chip matches it is remarkable. In practical terms, the 290HX Plus delivers essentially the same performance as this desktop CPU in the database's aggregate benchmark. If you are coming from a laptop with a 14900KF-class desktop processor, you will not notice a difference in performance.
AMD EPYC 7413: This server chip has an average score of 80,041, and the 290HX Plus is 0.6% behind. Again, this is a negligible difference. The EPYC 7413 is a 24-core server processor designed for data centers. The 290HX Plus matches it in aggregate performance while drawing far less power and fitting in a laptop. This comparison highlights how efficient the 3nm process and Arrow Lake architecture are. For mobile users, this means you get server-class compute without the server-class power draw.
Intel Core i9-14900K: This rival has an average score of 79,097, and the 290HX Plus is 0.6% ahead. The 14900K is the unlocked desktop flagship from Intel's previous generation. It is a 24-thread part (8 P-cores with hyperthreading, 16 E-cores). The 290HX Plus edges it out in the aggregate benchmark. This is a significant result because the 14900K has a much higher power envelope. The mobile chip matches or slightly exceeds it, which speaks to the architectural improvements in Arrow Lake-HX Refresh.
Intel Xeon w5-2565X: This workstation chip has an average score of 80,671, and the 290HX Plus is 1.4% behind. The Xeon w5-2565X is a professional-grade processor designed for workstations, with higher memory bandwidth and more PCIe lanes. The 290HX Plus is within 1.4% of it in aggregate performance. This is the largest gap among the rivals, but it is still small. For mobile users, this means the 290HX Plus is essentially at parity with a workstation Xeon in overall compute.
The percentile rank of 95 and the average benchmark score of 79,574 put the 290HX Plus in elite company. It is not the fastest CPU in the database—the Xeon w5-2565X is faster—but it is within a rounding error of desktop and server parts that cost significantly more and draw significantly more power.
Power and Thermals
The TDP is 55W. This is a critical number. For a 24-core processor, 55W is remarkably low. Desktop CPUs with similar core counts typically have TDPs of 125W or higher. The data shows that the 290HX Plus achieves 95th percentile performance within a 55W envelope. This is the defining feature of the chip: it is a power-efficient compute monster.
The process node is 3nm at TSMC. This is the most advanced node in the database, and it explains the efficiency numbers. The 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die are densely packed, and the 3nm process allows for high clock speeds at low voltages. The base clock is 2.70 GHz and the boost clock is 5.50 GHz. The boost clock is particularly high for a 55W part, indicating that Intel and TSMC have done excellent work on power management.
For cooling, the 55W TDP class means a capable air cooler should suffice. In a laptop, this translates to a decent vapor chamber or heat pipe solution. You do not need exotic liquid cooling or a massive heatsink. However, the unlocked multiplier means you could push the chip beyond 55W if you have the thermal headroom. The data does not specify a maximum turbo power, but the 5.50 GHz boost clock suggests the chip can sustain high frequencies for short bursts.
The integrated graphics adds to the thermal load, but the 64EU Arc Xe-LPG is a small unit. In a laptop with a discrete GPU, the iGPU will be idle most of the time. The thermal design should prioritize the CPU cores, which are the main heat source.
Practical advice: if you are buying a laptop with this chip, look for one with a robust cooling solution. The 55W TDP is manageable, but sustained multi-threaded loads will generate heat. A laptop with a thicker chassis and larger fans will maintain higher sustained clocks. Thin-and-light laptops with this chip may throttle under heavy load, reducing the multi-core advantage. The data shows what the chip can do—make sure your laptop lets it do that.
FAQ
Q: Does the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus support ECC memory?
A: Yes, the chip supports ECC memory. This is a workstation-class feature that ensures data integrity during long compute tasks.
Q: What is the memory configuration for this processor?
A: It supports DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s.
Q: Can I overclock this processor?
A: Yes, the multiplier is unlocked. However, the 55W TDP limits overclocking headroom, so you will need a laptop with excellent cooling to take advantage of it.
Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide?
A: The CPU provides 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. This is enough for a full x16 GPU connection plus additional lanes for storage.
Q: Is this processor better for gaming or productivity?
A: The data shows exceptional multi-threaded performance (39,684 in Cinebench R23 multi-core) and solid but not leading single-thread performance (2,356 in Cinebench R23 single-core). It is best for productivity and content creation; gaming performance is good but not the primary strength.
Q: What is the release date of this processor?
A: The release date is March 16, 2026. It is currently in active production.
Benchmark Performance
The benchmark data tells a clear story of a processor that dominates multi-threaded workloads while remaining competitive in single-threaded tasks. Let us break down the numbers.
In Cinebench R15, the multi-core score is 5,981 and the single-core score is 340. The multi-core score is roughly 17.6 times the single-core score. This near-linear scaling indicates that the 24 cores are being utilized effectively. In Cinebench R20, the multi-core score is 21,198 and single-core is 2,992. The ratio here is about 7.1x, which is lower than R15 because R20 scales better with core count on desktop chips. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score is 39,684 and single-core is 2,356, a ratio of about 16.8x.
The PassMark results reinforce this pattern. The multithread score is 59,439, while the single-thread score is 4,951. The multithread score is about 12 times the single-thread score. The individual PassMark tests show where the chip excels: data compression at 658,724, floating point math at 201,773, and integer math at 164,839. These are all highly parallel workloads. The data encryption score of 50,008 and extended instructions score of 51,290 are also strong. The random string sorting score of 80,327 shows good memory subsystem performance. The find prime numbers score of 519 and physics score of 3,387 are lower, reflecting the sequential nature of those tests.
Now, the rival comparisons. The 290HX Plus is 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i9-14900KF (average score 79,371 vs. 79,574). This is a virtual tie. The i9-14900KF is a desktop part with a much higher TDP, so the mobile chip matching it is a significant architectural achievement.
Against the AMD EPYC 7413 (average score 80,041), the 290HX Plus is 0.6% behind. The EPYC is a server chip with 24 cores and high memory bandwidth. The mobile chip is within 0.6% of it. This means for most workloads, you will not notice a difference between the two.
Against the Intel Core i9-14900K (average score 79,097), the 290HX Plus is 0.6% ahead. The 14900K is a desktop flagship with a 125W TDP. The mobile chip beats it in the aggregate benchmark. This is the most impressive comparison because it shows the 290HX Plus outperforming a top-tier desktop CPU from the previous generation.
Against the Intel Xeon w5-2565X (average score 80,671), the 290HX Plus is 1.4% behind. This is the largest gap among the rivals. The Xeon is a workstation processor with higher memory bandwidth and more PCIe lanes. The 290HX Plus is behind by 1.4%, which is still within a small margin.
The overall average benchmark score is 79,574, and the percentile rank is 95. This means the 290HX Plus is in the top 5% of all CPUs in the database. The data positions this chip as a mobile processor that delivers desktop-class and even server-class compute performance. The 55W TDP makes it a unique proposition: you get this performance in a laptop without needing a desktop power supply or cooling solution.
The single-thread scores (4,951 PassMark, 2,356 Cinebench R23) are competitive but not class-leading. The chip's performance is heavily weighted toward multi-threaded tasks. If your software uses multiple cores, the 290HX Plus will match or beat desktop flagships. If your software is single-threaded, you will see performance that is good but not extraordinary. The data is unambiguous: this is a multi-core powerhouse, and you should buy it with that expectation in mind.
Detailed benchmark scores and charts for the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus are below.
Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus performs in parallel rendering workloads like video production and 3D animation. The R15 version remains useful for comparing against older hardware benchmarks. Higher scores directly correlate with faster render times in Cinema 4D and similar 3D applications.
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Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r15_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R15 single-core measures the speed of one CPU thread rendering 3D geometry. This score indicates how Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus handles tasks that can't be parallelized across multiple cores. Games and many desktop applications still rely heavily on single-thread performance. A higher single-core score means snappier system responsiveness in everyday use.
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cinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. The more demanding workload provides better differentiation between current-generation processors.
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cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. The increased complexity provides more accurate performance differentiation between modern CPUs.
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cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus after thermal limits kick in. The longer duration exposes cooling limitations that shorter benchmarks miss.
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cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus maintains boost clocks under continuous load. The extended runtime shows whether thermal throttling affects single-core performance.
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passmark_data_compressionSource
Data compression measures how fast Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus can compress and decompress files. This is important for archiving, backup software, and file transfer applications. Higher scores mean faster ZIP, RAR, and backup operations.
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passmark_data_encryptionSource
Data encryption tests how fast Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus can encrypt information using AES and other algorithms. This is critical for security applications, VPNs, and secure communications.
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passmark_extended_instructionsSource
Extended instructions tests Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus performance using SSE and AVX instruction sets. These specialized instructions accelerate multimedia, scientific, and AI workloads. Video encoding and image processing heavily utilize SIMD capabilities.
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passmark_find_prime_numbersSource
Find prime numbers tests Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus ability to identify primes through intensive calculations. This is a pure computational benchmark that stresses CPU arithmetic units without memory bottlenecks. The test reveals raw mathematical processing capability. Higher scores indicate superior arithmetic throughput independent of memory subsystem performance.
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passmark_floating_point_mathSource
Floating point math measures how Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus handles decimal calculations critical for scientific computing and 3D rendering. This affects performance in CAD and physics simulations. Game physics engines also rely heavily on floating point operations.
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passmark_integer_mathSource
Integer math tests how fast Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processes whole number calculations essential for database operations and compression algorithms. This is fundamental to general computing performance.
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passmark_multithreadSource
PassMark multi-thread tests Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus across integer math, floating point, compression, and encryption using all cores. This provides an overall multi-threaded CPU performance score.
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passmark_physicsSource
Physics tests how Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus handles physics simulations used in games and engineering software. This measures performance in calculating object interactions and movements. Games with complex physics benefit from higher scores.
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passmark_random_string_sortingSource
Random string sorting measures how fast Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus can organize text data. This is important for database operations, search indexing, and data processing applications. Applications that process large amounts of text benefit from higher scores.
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passmark_single_threadSource
PassMark single-thread measures per-core performance of Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus across various computational tasks. This score is critical for gaming and single-threaded applications. Higher scores mean better system responsiveness in everyday use. Many legacy applications and games still depend heavily on single-thread speed.
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passmark_singlethreadSource
PassMark single-thread measures per-core performance of Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus across various computational tasks. This score is critical for gaming and single-threaded applications.
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The AMD Equivalent of Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
Looking for a similar processor from AMD? The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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