Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
79Single-core60.7
86.8Multi-core37.5
44.4Efficiencyspec-based81.9
60.5iGPU—
73.9Platformspec-based51.8
14 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus1 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins this laptop processor face-off, 73.9 to 53.7, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+49) and single-core (+18). Intel Core Ultra 5 125U still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
- Stronger single-core score: 79 vs 61
- Stronger multi-core score: 87 vs 38
- 313% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 39,617 vs 9,593
- 300% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 2
- 252% higher PassMark: 58,672 vs 16,674
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
- 73% lower Base TDP: 15 W vs 55 W
General
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2026 | 2023 |
| Process | 3 nm+57% | 7 nm |
| Base TDP | 55 W | 15 W+73% |
| Max TDP | 160 W+181% | 57 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 24+100% | 12 |
| Performance cores | 8+300% | 2 |
| Efficiency cores | 16+60% | 10 |
| Threads | 24+71% | 14 |
| Base clock | 2.7 GHz+108% | 1.3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.5 GHz+28% | 4.3 GHz |
| L3 cache | 36 MB+200% | 12 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores) | Intel Graphics (4 Xe) |
| iGPU clock | 2,000 MHz | 1,850 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X-7467 / DDR5-5600 |
| Max memory | 256 GB+167% | 96 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,198Top 11% | — |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,581Top 9% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,340+49%Top 3% | 1,566Bottom 38% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 39,617+313%Top 2% | 9,593Bottom 35% |
| PassMark | 58,672+252%Top 1% | 16,674Bottom 38% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | 1,855Top 36% | — |
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