Benchmarks leak for Intel Ultra 9 285K: high-end gaming with reduced power consumption

An Intel presentation slide leak from a Chinese source has revealed that the brand anticipates its next-generation chip to deliver similar performance to the Core i9-14900K. When using a set of 14 titles, the new chip demonstrated comparable performance to its predecessor on average. Depending on the game, the Core Ultra 9 285K showed performance ranging from 13% slower to 15% faster, with many cases showing no difference.

It's important to highlight that the Core Ultra consumed less power in several instances. In fact, Intel claims it uses about 80W less for the same output frame rate. Apart from reducing power consumption costs, this has the potential to decrease the CPU's heat output, making it easier to cool. Additionally, lower heat levels mean that less expensive coolers can handle the job and potentially push the chips further through overclocking without throttling.

When compared to AMD’s Ryzen 9 9950X, Intel once again anticipates a close competition as the Core Ultra's performance ranges between -13% and +28%. Against the more powerful Ryzen 9 7950X3D, Intel shows performance ranging from -21% to +15% in 1080p gaming but claims higher productivity scores, achieving 21% in Cinebench 2024 and 30% in POV-Ray. It's important to note, however, that these figures are from Intel itself and could have been selectively chosen to portray the CPU in a more positive light.

Nevertheless, it seems that the pursuit of efficiency has come at the cost of a significant amount of performance for the Core Ultra 9 285K. While the absence of hyperthreading may be a contributing factor, Intel has also indicated a 9% improvement in IPC compared to 14th Gen Core CPUs, which should help compensate for the lack of hyperthreading. This becomes even more concerning when considering that AMD has not yet released its Ryzen 9000X3D processors, potentially widening the performance gap.

As someone residing in a hot climate with expensive power bills, I value the emphasis on efficiency. Unfortunately, many enthusiasts may be disappointed by the lack of improvement, and they would be justified in feeling so. Ultimately, if priced appropriately, these CPUs could sell quickly, but that's a topic for another day. And as always, remember to utilize our comparison tool to find the best deals for your next gaming adventure.