Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
79Single-core72.8
86.8Multi-core73.8
44.4Efficiencyspec-based44.4
60.5iGPU—
73.9Platformspec-based69.6
12 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus0 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins this laptop processor face-off, 73.9 to 67.9, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+13) and single-core (+6). Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX 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 73
- Stronger multi-core score: 87 vs 74
- 33% higher Efficiency cores: 16 vs 12
- 25% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 39,617 vs 31,781
- 22% higher PassMark: 58,672 vs 47,933
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
General
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2026 | 2025 |
| Process | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| Base TDP | 55 W | 55 W |
| Max TDP | 160 W | 160 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 24+20% | 20 |
| Performance cores | 8 | 8 |
| Efficiency cores | 16+33% | 12 |
| Threads | 24+20% | 20 |
| Base clock | 2.7 GHz+13% | 2.4 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.5 GHz+6% | 5.2 GHz |
| L3 cache | 36 MB+20% | 30 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores) | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores) |
| iGPU clock | 2,000 MHz | 1,850 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-6400 | DDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 256 GB | 256 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,198+8%Top 9% | 2,959Top 17% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,581+20%Top 7% | 17,915Top 12% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,340+9%Top 2% | 2,154Top 10% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 39,617+25%Top 1% | 31,781Top 6% |
| PassMark | 58,672+22%Top 1% | 47,933Top 8% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | 1,855Top 37% | — |
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