Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus vs Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
79Single-core65.3
86.8Multi-core42.2
44.4Efficiencyspec-based88.5
60.5iGPU76.9
73.9Platformspec-based35.9
15 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus2 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins this laptop processor face-off, 73.9 to 57.4, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+45) and single-core (+14). Intel Core Ultra 7 256V 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 65
- Stronger multi-core score: 87 vs 42
- 1500% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 16 GB
- 332% higher Max TDP: 160 W vs 37 W
- 300% higher Efficiency cores: 16 vs 4
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- Stronger iGPU score: 77 vs 61
- 109% higher 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU): 3,883 vs 1,855
- 69% lower Base TDP: 17 W vs 55 W
General
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2026 | 2024 |
| Process | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| Base TDP | 55 W | 17 W+69% |
| Max TDP | 160 W+332% | 37 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 24+200% | 8 |
| Performance cores | 8+100% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 16+300% | 4 |
| Threads | 24+200% | 8 |
| Base clock | 2.7 GHz+23% | 2.2 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.5 GHz+15% | 4.8 GHz |
| L3 cache | 36 MB+200% | 12 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores) | Intel Arc 140V |
| iGPU clock | 2,000 MHz | 1,950 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X-8533 (on-package) |
| Max memory | 256 GB+1500% | 16 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,198+16%Top 11% | 2,753Top 35% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,581+99%Top 9% | 10,850Bottom 47% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,340+25%Top 3% | 1,876Top 31% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 39,617+287%Top 2% | 10,244Bottom 41% |
| PassMark | 58,672+201%Top 1% | 19,478Bottom 49% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | 1,855Top 36% | 3,883+109%Top 4% |
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