Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus vs Intel Core Ultra 9 386H
79Single-core70.3
86.8Multi-core60
44.4Efficiencyspec-based81.4
60.5iGPU70
73.9Platformspec-based58.2
14 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus3 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 9 386H
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins this laptop processor face-off, 73.9 to 66.5, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+27) and single-core (+9). Intel Core Ultra 9 386H 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 70
- Stronger multi-core score: 87 vs 60
- 105% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 39,617 vs 19,307
- 100% higher Max TDP: 160 W vs 80 W
- 100% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 4
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H
- Stronger iGPU score: 70 vs 61
- 55% lower Base TDP: 25 W vs 55 W
- 53% higher 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU): 2,846 vs 1,855
- 33% lower process: 2 nm vs 3 nm
General
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 9 386H |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2026 | 2026 |
| Process | 3 nm | 2 nm+33% |
| Base TDP | 55 W | 25 W+55% |
| Max TDP | 160 W+100% | 80 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 9 386H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 24+50% | 16 |
| Performance cores | 8+100% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 16+33% | 12 |
| Threads | 24+50% | 16 |
| Base clock | 2.7 GHz+29% | 2.1 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.5 GHz+12% | 4.9 GHz |
| L3 cache | 36 MB+100% | 18 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 9 386H |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores) | Intel Graphics (4 Xe3-cores) |
| iGPU clock | 2,000 MHz | 2,500 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 9 386H |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X, DDR5 |
| Max memory | 256 GB+100% | 128 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 9 386H |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,198+11%Top 9% | 2,876Top 21% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,581+32%Top 7% | 16,298Top 18% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,340+13%Top 2% | 2,069Top 14% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 39,617+105%Top 1% | 19,307Top 18% |
| PassMark | 58,672+63%Top 1% | 36,060Top 16% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | 1,855Top 37% | 2,846+53%Top 21% |
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