Intel’s new Core Ultra 9 285K and AMD’s Zen 5 processors have struggled to meet the expectations of tech enthusiasts.
AMD’s Zen 5 desktop CPUs, including the Ryzen 9 9950X, launched in August with promises of groundbreaking performance.
Yet, these CPUs left much to be desired in both productivity and gaming performance. Now, Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K, the latest release from the chip giant, has similarly fallen short of the mark.
Mixed Performance
Priced at $589, Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K is their flagship next-generation CPU. Built on Intel’s new Arrow Lake architecture and featuring an innovative LGA 1851 socket, the Ultra 9 285K aims to offer high performance and improved power efficiency.
With a total of 24 cores (8 performance and 16 efficiency cores), a base power of 125 watts, and a max turbo power reaching 250 watts, this chip has the specifications to handle demanding tasks.
The Ultra 9 285K delivers in productivity benchmarks, managing a 15% improvement in multithreaded tasks and around 7% in single-threaded tasks compared to its predecessor, the Core i9-14900K.
Notably, it draws less power, with a 254-watt power draw in Cinebench 2024 compared to the i9-14900K’s 267 watts.
The Ultra 9 285K falters when tested with gaming benchmarks. In popular titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Motorsport 2023, Intel’s latest CPU lags behind the 14900K, showing up to a 20% decrease in frame rates in some games.
The CPU also struggles to compete with AMD’s 7800X3D CPU, which remains the preferred choice for gamers, delivering superior frame rates in popular titles.
Power Efficiency and Temperature Control
A key selling point of the Ultra 9 285K is its improved power efficiency and cooler operation. In testing, the CPU package temperature never exceeded 85 degrees Celsius, while the 14900K reached 99 degrees under similar conditions.
Idle power draw and cooling requirements are also reduced, with the Ultra 9 285K running slightly cooler than previous models.
Yet, this energy efficiency appears to come at the cost of gaming performance, as the CPU sacrifices frame rates in favor of lower power consumption and temperature.
According to Intel, the focus for this generation of CPUs has been on maximizing performance per watt. Intel spokesperson Mark Anthony Ramirez highlighted that their goal with the Ultra 9 285K is to catch up in power efficiency and achieve a leadership position in this metric.
Intel acknowledges that gaming performance on the Ultra 9 285K may vary depending on the game, adding that performance improvements are more apparent when compared to 12th Gen and older CPUs.
Windows 11 Security Features
The testing environment for the Ultra 9 285K included Windows 11’s virtualization-based security (VBS) features, which can have a notable impact on gaming performance.
With VBS enabled, titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Cyberpunk 2077 performed worse than on the Core i9-14900K.
Once VBS was disabled, these games ran more efficiently, even closing the performance gap with Intel’s 14900K in certain cases.
It’s worth noting that Intel claims the Core Ultra 200S series is less impacted by VBS than previous generations, although the difference in gaming performance remains evident.
New Socket and Motherboard
Intel’s Arrow Lake architecture requires the new LGA 1851 socket, meaning users will need a new motherboard if they plan to upgrade to the Ultra 9 285K.
The accompanying Z890 chipset supports up to 24 PCIe 4.0 lanes, integrated Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, along with Thunderbolt 4.
For users looking to push performance further, the Z890 motherboard supports DDR5-8000, with rumors of DDR5-9600 on the horizon.
Despite these advancements, Intel’s recent track record with socket support has raised concerns among consumers.
With rumors of a switch to Nova Lake in the near future, Intel’s LGA 1851 socket may only have a limited shelf life, leaving users to question whether they will need another motherboard upgrade if they continue with Intel CPUs.
AMD’s Response
As Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K faces criticism, AMD’s 7800X3D processor remains a popular choice for gaming enthusiasts.
AMD plans to release its next generation of 9000-series X3D desktop CPUs on November 7th, with promises of further improved gaming performance.
AMD has committed to supporting its AM5 platform until 2027, adding appeal for consumers seeking a longer-term upgrade path.
Intel’s Ultra 9 285K demonstrates the company’s shift toward power-efficient CPUs, but the decision to prioritize power efficiency may not align with the expectations of high-performance gaming PC builders.
As both Intel and AMD continue to roll out new CPUs, consumer sentiment suggests that performance, not efficiency, remains the primary driver for enthusiasts in the gaming market.
