Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus vs Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100
79Single-core73.6
86.8Multi-core64
44.4Efficiencyspec-based93.3
60.5iGPU75.6
73.9Platformspec-based62.2
11 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus3 spec wins — Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins this laptop processor face-off, 73.9 to 71.7, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+23) and single-core (+5). Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100 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 74
- Stronger multi-core score: 87 vs 64
- 167% higher Efficiency cores: 16 vs 6
- 136% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 39,617 vs 16,808
- 100% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 128 GB
Reasons to pick the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100
- Stronger iGPU score: 76 vs 61
- 98% higher 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU): 3,666 vs 1,855
- 50% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 8
- 19% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 3,814 vs 3,198
General
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2026 | 2025 |
| Process | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| Base TDP | 55 W | — |
| Max TDP | 160 W | — |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 24+33% | 18 |
| Performance cores | 8 | 12+50% |
| Efficiency cores | 16+167% | 6 |
| Threads | 24+33% | 18 |
| Base clock | 2.7 GHz | — |
| Boost clock | 5.5 GHz+17% | 4.7 GHz |
| L3 cache | 36 MB | — |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores) | Qualcomm Adreno X2-90 |
| iGPU clock | 2,000 MHz | 1,700 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-6400 | LPDDR5x-9523 |
| Max memory | 256 GB+100% | 128 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,198Top 11% | 3,814+19%Top 6% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,581+6%Top 6% | 20,325Top 7% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,340+44%Top 2% | 1,629Bottom 36% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 39,617+136%Top 1% | 16,808Top 33% |
| PassMark | 58,672+55%Top 2% | 37,821Top 13% |
| PassMark (single thread) | 4,920+10%Top 3% | 4,470Top 11% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | 1,855Top 44% | 3,666+98%Top 15% |
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