Intel Core Ultra 9 285 24-core LGA1851

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 is a 24-core Arrow Lake desktop CPU that delivers excellent single-thread performance and impressive efficiency at a 65W TDP. It's a strong choice for creators and productivity users who want high multi-core throughput without extreme power draw. Gamers may prefer the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, but for mixed workloads this chip is a compelling option.

The Core Ultra 9 285 posts a PassMark multi-thread score of 57,494 and a single-thread score of 4,896. That multi-core number puts it in the 95th percentile of all desktop CPUs in our database, which means it's a genuine workhorse for rendering, compiling, and heavy multitasking. The single-thread result is even better, landing in the 99th percentile. That's the kind of performance that makes everyday tasks feel snappy and keeps games running smoothly when they lean on a few fast cores.

With 36MB of L3 cache and 40MB of L2, there's plenty of on-chip memory to keep those 24 threads fed. The 5.6GHz boost clock on the P-cores is respectable, though not the highest we've seen. In practice, this chip shines in efficiency-focused builds. It delivers near-flagship multi-core throughput while sipping power compared to the 14th gen parts it replaces. One reviewer noted it was about 20% faster than their 14th gen chip for audio and video rendering, which lines up with what the benchmark data suggests.

The most obvious rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D. That chip is a gaming monster thanks to its 3D V-Cache, and if gaming is your primary use case, it's probably the better buy. The Core Ultra 9 285 fights back with more cores, better efficiency, and stronger productivity performance. It's a classic gaming versus workstation split. The 9800X3D will win in frame rates, but the 285 will pull ahead in video rendering and multi-threaded workloads.

There are also some older Intel options floating around, like the Core i9 X-series parts from a few generations back. Those chips are power-hungry and on dead platforms, so they're hard to recommend unless you find a crazy deal. The G.Skill Trident Z Neo showing up as a competitor is a bit odd since that's memory, not a CPU, but it's a reminder that platform costs matter. You'll need a new LGA1851 motherboard and DDR5 RAM to run the 285, so factor that into your budget.

At $614 to $768 in the US, the Core Ultra 9 285 isn't cheap, but it's not outrageous for a 24-core chip with this efficiency profile. The spread between retailers is real though. Newegg and Best Buy both carry it, and the price difference between the lowest and highest US listing is $154. That's enough to buy a decent cooler or put toward faster RAM. If you're in Canada, expect to pay around CAD 840 to 872, and European buyers are looking at roughly EUR 1,016 to 1,030. The value proposition here is efficiency plus multi-core muscle. You're not getting the absolute fastest gaming chip, but you're getting a processor that does almost everything well without turning your PC into a space heater.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 is Intel's new Arrow Lake flagship for the mainstream desktop, slotting into the LGA1851 socket with 24 cores split between 8 performance cores and 16 efficiency cores. It's aimed squarely at enthusiast gamers and serious creators who want strong multi-threaded performance without a 250W+ power bill. Pricing lands between $614 and $768 in the US depending on where you shop, which puts it in direct competition with AMD's Ryzen 7 9800X3D and a few leftover high-end chips from previous generations.

This is a 65W TDP part, which is kind of wild when you look at the core count. Intel built it on TSMC's 3nm node, and that efficiency shows up in our database. It's one of the most power-efficient desktop CPUs we've tracked, and the single-thread performance is right up there with the best. If you're wondering whether the Core Ultra 9 285 is good for productivity, the short answer is yes. It's excellent for rendering, video editing, and anything that can use all 24 threads.

One thing to note right away: the boxed version includes Intel's Laminar RH2 cooler. Some listings and Q&A answers say it doesn't come with cooling, but at least one buyer confirmed the cooler is in the box. We'd still recommend a decent aftermarket cooler if you plan to push it, but the included one will get you running.

If you're building a dedicated gaming rig and frame rates are all you care about, skip this and grab the Ryzen 7 9800X3D instead. The 3D V-Cache makes a real difference in games, and you'll save some cash too. Also skip it if you're already on a recent Intel platform and don't need the efficiency gains. Upgrading from a 13th or 14th gen chip means buying a new motherboard and DDR5 RAM, which adds up fast. And if you're running a home server or need serious multi-socket reliability, the server performance score of 81.7 suggests there are better options for that specific use case.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 is a genuinely impressive chip for the right buyer. If you do serious creative work, run virtual machines, or just want a high-core-count CPU that won't spike your power bill, this is one of the best options on the market right now. The efficiency story is real, and the single-thread performance is top-tier. It's not the best gaming CPU you can buy, and the user sentiment score in our database is surprisingly low given the specs, but the actual reviews we've seen are positive.

Should you buy it? If you're building a new productivity-focused system and you're already committed to the LGA1851 platform, yes. It's a strong performer with a clear efficiency advantage. If you're a pure gamer, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is probably a better fit. And if you're on a 13th or 14th gen Intel chip already, the upgrade case is weaker unless you specifically need the efficiency gains or the newer platform features.