Core i9-14900K
Raptor Lake Refresh · 24C/32T · 125 W · LGA1700
Core Ultra 9 285
24C/24T · 5.4 GHz · 65 W · PassMark #193
Core i9-14900K takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Core i9-14900K lands at 89 and Core Ultra 9 285 at 32. That puts Core i9-14900K ahead by 57 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Core i9-14900K if…
- ✓Strong per-core performance
- ✓Hybrid P/E cores (12th gen+)
- ✓Wide platform availability
Pick Core Ultra 9 285 if…
- ✓PassMark #193 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- ✓Intel's latest architecture with on-chip NPU
- ✓Current PassMark-tracked street price around $579
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
Core i9-14900KSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Core i9-14900K more score per dollar ($589 vs $579).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Core i9-14900K | Core Ultra 9 285 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Raptor Lake Refresh | — |
| Cores | 24 | 24 (8P + 16E) |
| Threads | ▲ 32 | 24 |
| TDP | 125 W | 65 W base / 182 W turbo |
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA 1851 |
| Release year | 2023 | — |
| Base clock | — | 2.5 GHz |
| Boost clock | — | 5.4 GHz |
| L3 cache | — | 36 MB |
| Class | — | Desktop |
| PassMark rank | — | #193 of 5,901 |
| PassMark CPU Mark | — | 57,575 |
Core i9-14900K
- +Strong per-core performance
- +Hybrid P/E cores (12th gen+)
- +Wide platform availability
- −Power draw on top SKUs
- −Frequent socket changes
- −Arrow Lake gaming regressions
Core Ultra 9 285
- +PassMark #193 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- +Intel's latest architecture with on-chip NPU
- +Current PassMark-tracked street price around $579
- −Requires recent-generation motherboard and DDR5 memory
- −Newer-generation parts pull ahead in current rankings
FAQ: Core i9-14900K vs Core Ultra 9 285
Which is better, Core i9-14900K or Core Ultra 9 285? +
Core i9-14900K scores 89 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 57. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Core i9-14900K worth the price? +
At $589, Core i9-14900K delivers a Specdex score of 89 — strongest in single.
Is Core Ultra 9 285 worth the price? +
At $579, Core Ultra 9 285 delivers a Specdex score of 32 — strongest in passmark.
Does Core i9-14900K or Core Ultra 9 285 last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is the better value, Core i9-14900K or Core Ultra 9 285? +
Core i9-14900K — more score per dollar ($589 vs $579). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.