Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus vs Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
79Single-core59.9
86.8Multi-core52.9
44.4Efficiencyspec-based47.1
60.5iGPU72.7
73.9Platformspec-based63.1
16 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus2 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins this laptop processor face-off, 73.9 to 57.3, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+34) and single-core (+19). Intel Core Ultra 9 185H 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 60
- Stronger multi-core score: 87 vs 53
- 167% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 96 GB
- 129% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 39,617 vs 17,300
- 103% higher PassMark: 58,672 vs 28,947
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
- Stronger iGPU score: 73 vs 61
- 74% higher 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU): 3,225 vs 1,855
- 18% lower Base TDP: 45 W vs 55 W
General
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2026 | 2024 |
| Process | 3 nm+57% | 7 nm |
| Base TDP | 55 W | 45 W+18% |
| Max TDP | 160 W+39% | 115 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 24+50% | 16 |
| Performance cores | 8+33% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 16+60% | 10 |
| Threads | 24+9% | 22 |
| Base clock | 2.7 GHz+17% | 2.3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.5 GHz+8% | 5.1 GHz |
| L3 cache | 36 MB+50% | 24 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores) | Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe) |
| iGPU clock | 2,000 MHz | 2,350 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H |
|---|---|---|
| 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 9 185H |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,198+32%Top 9% | 2,430Bottom 43% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,581+61%Top 7% | 13,400Top 33% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,340+31%Top 2% | 1,790Top 42% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 39,617+129%Top 1% | 17,300Top 27% |
| PassMark | 58,672+103%Top 1% | 28,947Top 24% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | 1,855Top 37% | 3,225+74%Top 13% |
Related comparisons
Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plusvs Apple M3 Max (16-core)VSIntel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plusvs Apple M4 Pro (14-core)VSIntel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plusvs Intel Core Ultra 9 285HXVSIntel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plusvs AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395VSIntel Core Ultra 9 185Hvs AMD Ryzen 7 H 255VSIntel Core Ultra 9 185Hvs AMD Ryzen 9 8945HVSIntel Core Ultra 9 185Hvs AMD Ryzen 7 8840HSVSIntel Core Ultra 9 185Hvs AMD Ryzen 7 8840UVS