Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is a 24-thread desktop processor in the Core Ultra Series 2, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC and targeting the highest tier of the Intel Socket 1851 platform. With a 96th percentile ranking among all CPUs, it posts a peak multi-core Cinebench R23 score of 51,731 points and a single-core score of 7,303, positioning it as a top-tier contender for heavily threaded workloads while maintaining strong per-core performance.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data positions the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus as a marginal leader among its nearest rivals, though the margins are exceptionally tight. Its average benchmark score of 84,003 sits just 0.2% above the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K (83,807), a delta so small it falls within typical run-to-run variance. Against the AMD EPYC 4584PX, the lead widens to 1.1% (83,090), and versus the AMD EPYC 9135, the advantage is 1.2% (82,980). The only rival ahead in average score is the AMD EPYC 7F72 (85,072), which leads by 1.3%.

Looking at raw multi-threaded output, the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 51,731 represents the processor’s peak rendering capability. The Cinebench R20 multi-core result of 21,727 and R15 multi-core score of 5,214 confirm scaling across older benchmark versions, with the R20 score roughly 42% of the R23 result — consistent with the known workload differences between those test versions. In PassMark’s multithread suite, the processor scores 60,860, with integer math at 166,194 and floating-point math at 214,760, indicating that the 24-thread design handles both integer-heavy and FP-heavy code without a significant bottleneck in either domain.

Single-core performance is equally strong. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 7,303, R20 single-core of 3,067, and R15 single-core of 736 show a consistent progression. The PassMark single-thread score of 4,823 places it in the upper echelon for desktop CPUs, which is notable given the 5.80 GHz boost clock. The data compression score of 698,346 and encryption score of 52,563 further illustrate that the processor’s thread count translates into real throughput for data-intensive tasks, while the extended instructions score of 52,338 suggests robust SIMD and vector processing capability.

The 96th percentile ranking means this processor outperforms roughly 96% of all CPUs tracked in the database. That places it firmly in enthusiast territory, but the tight deltas against its nearest rivals — all within 1.3% — indicate that the 290K Plus does not decisively outclass its immediate competition. Instead, it offers a marginal edge in average score over three of four rivals, with the EPYC 7F72 holding a slight lead.

How It Compares

vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285K: The 290K Plus leads the 285K by just 0.2% in average benchmark score (84,003 vs 83,807). This is effectively a tie, and the delta is smaller than the typical variance between runs. In practice, the two processors are interchangeable in most workloads, with the 290K Plus offering no meaningful performance advantage over its predecessor.

vs AMD EPYC 4584PX: The 290K Plus holds a 1.1% lead in average score (84,003 vs 83,090). While the EPYC 4584PX is a server-class part, the desktop-oriented 290K Plus still edges it out in aggregate benchmarks. The margin is slim, but it demonstrates that the 290K Plus can compete with higher-tier EPYC parts in mixed workloads.

vs AMD EPYC 9135: The advantage over the EPYC 9135 is 1.2% (84,003 vs 82,980). This is the largest lead among the rivals that the 290K Plus beats, yet it remains well within a rounding error for most real-world applications. The EPYC 9135’s server pedigree does not translate into a win over this desktop flagship.

vs AMD EPYC 7F72: The 290K Plus trails the EPYC 7F72 by 1.3% (84,003 vs 85,072). This is the only rival with a higher average score, and the gap is the largest delta in the comparison set. Despite the 290K Plus’s higher boost clock and newer process node, the EPYC 7F72’s aggregate throughput edges ahead, though the difference is still minor.

Platform and Compatibility

The Core Ultra 9 290K Plus uses the Intel Socket 1851, which is exclusive to the Core Ultra Series 2 desktop lineup. The processor supports DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. This bandwidth figure is sufficient for the 24-thread workload the CPU can generate, though it is not exceptionally high for the segment. ECC memory support is included, which is a notable feature for users who require error-correcting memory in a desktop context.

PCIe connectivity is provided via Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. This is a standard allocation for a flagship desktop part, allowing for a high-end graphics card and a Gen 5 NVMe drive on direct CPU lanes. The integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units, which provides a functional display output and basic acceleration without requiring a discrete GPU. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking on compatible Intel Socket 1851 motherboards.

The upgrade path is limited to other Socket 1851 processors within the Core Ultra Series 2 family. There is no forward compatibility with newer sockets, and the platform does not support DDR4 memory, so a full platform purchase is required for new builds. The production status is listed as Active, meaning the processor is currently in production and available through normal channels.

FAQ

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the processor has ECC memory support enabled, according to the platform specifications.

Q: What is the boost clock speed of the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus?

A: The boost clock is 5.80 GHz, while the base clock is 3.70 GHz.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide?

A: The CPU offers 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes directly from the processor, separate from any chipset-provided lanes.

Q: What integrated graphics does this processor include?

A: It includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units, capable of display output without a discrete GPU.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, the multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking on compatible Intel Socket 1851 motherboards.

Q: What socket does the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus use?

A: It uses the Intel Socket 1851, which is specific to the Core Ultra Series 2 desktop processors.

Power and Thermals

The processor has a TDP of 125 watts, which places it in the high-performance desktop segment but not at the extreme top of the power envelope. A 125 W TDP class implies the need for a substantial air cooler or a 240mm-class liquid cooler for sustained all-core workloads, though the exact cooling solution is not specified in the data. The 3 nm process node at TSMC (with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die) suggests reasonable power efficiency for the compute density, but the 24-thread configuration and 5.80 GHz boost clock will generate significant heat under load.

The thermal design implies that standard boxed coolers are not appropriate; users should plan for an aftermarket cooling solution capable of dissipating 125 W or more continuously. The unlocked multiplier further increases thermal demands if overclocking is pursued, as higher clocks will push power consumption beyond the stock TDP. For mainstream desktop cases with good airflow, a dual-tower air cooler or a 240mm AIO liquid cooler should suffice, but the data does not specify a maximum temperature or power limit.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Core Ultra 9 290K Plus shows a balanced profile between single-thread and multi-thread performance, though the multi-thread scores are the more impressive of the two. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score of 51,731 is roughly 7.1 times the single-core score of 7,303, which is close to the theoretical scaling limit for a 24-thread processor running a workload with near-perfect parallelism. The PassMark multithread score of 60,860 versus the single-thread score of 4,823 represents a scaling factor of about 12.6, though PassMark’s multithread test is less parallel than Cinebench’s.

The single-thread score of 4,823 in PassMark puts the processor in the top tier for lightly threaded applications. This is critical for legacy software, many games, and day-to-day productivity tasks that rely on one or two cores. The 5.80 GHz boost clock is a clear contributor here, and the 3 nm process allows that clock without excessive power draw. The single-core Cinebench R23 score of 7,303 confirms that the architecture extracts strong instructions-per-clock at high frequencies.

The split between single-thread and multi-thread behavior indicates a processor that excels at both extremes. Heavily threaded workloads — video rendering, scientific computing, code compilation — will see near-linear gains from the 24 threads. Lightly threaded workloads — web browsing, office applications, many games — will benefit from the top-tier single-core performance. The PassMark physics score of 3,315 and find prime numbers score of 503 are lower, but these are specialized tests that do not reflect typical application behavior.

Who Should Consider It

The Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is best suited for users who run a mix of heavily threaded and lightly threaded workloads. Content creators who render video, batch-process images, or compile large codebases will see strong gains from the 24-thread configuration, with Cinebench R23 multi-core scores of 51,731 and PassMark multithread scores of 60,860 indicating top-tier throughput. The data compression score of 698,346 and encryption score of 52,563 further support use cases involving file archiving, database operations, and secure data handling.

Gamers who also do productivity work will find the single-thread performance of 4,823 in PassMark and 7,303 in Cinebench R23 sufficient for modern game engines, while the multi-thread headroom covers streaming, recording, and background tasks. The integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64EU provides a fallback for basic display output, though a discrete GPU is still recommended for serious gaming. The ECC memory support is a differentiator for users running long-duration compute tasks where memory errors are a concern.

Office and productivity users who only run spreadsheets, word processors, and web browsers will not utilize the full capability of this processor; the 24 threads and high boost clock are overkill for such workloads. The processor is also a poor fit for small-form-factor builds, as the 125 W TDP and cooling requirements demand a larger chassis and robust cooling solution. For users who need maximum multi-threaded performance on the Intel Socket 1851 platform and can tolerate the power and cooling overhead, the 290K Plus is a capable choice.

Architecture and Design

The Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is built on a 3 nm process node at TSMC, with 17,800 million transistors packed into a 243 mm² die. The codename is Arrow Lake Refresh, and it belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 generation. The processor has 24 cores and 24 threads, meaning it lacks simultaneous multithreading — each core handles a single thread. This is a notable design choice, as it relies on physical core count rather than logical threads for parallelism.

The cache hierarchy consists of 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The per-core L2 cache is generous, which helps reduce latency for frequently accessed data. The 36 MB L3 cache is shared across all cores, providing a large pool for inter-core communication and shared data structures. The total cache footprint is substantial for a desktop processor, though the data does not specify a combined L2+L3 figure.

The memory subsystem uses DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, delivering 115.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The PCIe interface is Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU, which is adequate for a single high-end GPU and one or two Gen 5 NVMe drives. The integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG with 64 execution units, which is a modest iGPU design but supports modern display output and hardware acceleration. The production status is Active, and the multiplier is unlocked, confirming that this is an enthusiast-grade part with overclocking support.