Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus vs Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
79Single-core74.6
86.8Multi-core61.3
44.4Efficiencyspec-based81.4
60.5iGPU88.3
73.9Platformspec-based56.4
14 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus3 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins this laptop processor face-off, 73.9 to 69.6, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+26) and single-core (+4). Intel Core Ultra X9 388H 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 75
- Stronger multi-core score: 87 vs 61
- 167% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 96 GB
- 109% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 39,617 vs 18,911
- 100% higher Max TDP: 160 W vs 80 W
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Stronger iGPU score: 88 vs 61
- 250% higher 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU): 6,501 vs 1,855
- 55% lower Base TDP: 25 W vs 55 W
- 33% lower process: 2 nm vs 3 nm
General
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| 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 X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| 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+8% | 5.1 GHz |
| L3 cache | 36 MB+100% | 18 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores) | Intel Arc B390 |
| iGPU clock | 2,000 MHz | 2,500 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X |
| Max memory | 256 GB+167% | 96 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra X9 388H |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,198+5%Top 11% | 3,038Top 19% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,581+24%Top 9% | 17,395Top 16% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,340+6%Top 3% | 2,201Top 7% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 39,617+109%Top 2% | 18,911Top 19% |
| PassMark | 58,672+61%Top 1% | 36,409Top 16% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | 1,855Top 36% | 6,501+250%Top 3% |
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 X9 388Hvs AMD Ryzen 9 9955HXVSIntel Core Ultra X9 388Hvs Apple M5 (10-core)VSIntel Core Ultra X9 388Hvs Intel Core Ultra 7 356HVSIntel Core Ultra X9 388Hvs AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470VS