Intel Core Ultra 9 395K
Panther Lake · 26C · 6.0 GHz
Core Ultra 9 285K
Arrow Lake · 24C · 5.7 GHz · LGA1851
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Intel Core Ultra 9 395K lands at 93 and Core Ultra 9 285K at 89. That puts Intel Core Ultra 9 395K ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Intel Core Ultra 9 395K if…
- ✓Latest generation silicon
- ✓Improved perf-per-watt
- ✓Full modern feature set
Pick Core Ultra 9 285K if…
- ✓Far more efficient than 14900K
- ✓Strong multi-thread productivity
- ✓New LGA1851 platform with DDR5-6400
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testGaming
Intel Core Ultra 9 395KFrame-rate-bound workloads — favours cache and single-thread speed
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K leads on gaming (94 vs 85).
Creators & productivity
TieRendering, compilation, heavy multitasking — favours core count
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Power efficiency
Core Ultra 9 285KPerformance per watt — thermals, PSU headroom, electricity cost
Core Ultra 9 285K leads on efficiency (90 vs 86).
Value for money
TieSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Intel Core Ultra 9 395K | Core Ultra 9 285K |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Panther Lake | — |
| Cores | ▲ 26 (8P+16E+2LP) | 24 (8P + 16E) |
| Threads | ▲ 26 | 24 |
| Socket | LGA1851 | LGA1851 |
| Release year | 2025 | — |
| Base clock | — | 3.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | — | 5.7 GHz |
| L3 cache | — | 36 MB |
| TDP | — | 125 W (PL1) / 250 W (PL2) |
| Process | — | TSMC N3B |
| iGPU | — | Intel Graphics (Xe-LPG, 4 Xe cores @ 2.0 GHz) |
| NPU | — | 13 TOPS |
| Memory | — | DDR5-6400 |
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K
- +Latest generation silicon
- +Improved perf-per-watt
- +Full modern feature set
- −Premium pricing
- −Requires up-to-date platform
- −Initial stock scarcity likely
Core Ultra 9 285K
- +Far more efficient than 14900K
- +Strong multi-thread productivity
- +New LGA1851 platform with DDR5-6400
- −Gaming regresses vs 14900K in some titles
- −No hyper-threading (24 threads from 24 cores)
- −13 TOPS NPU is modest
FAQ: Intel Core Ultra 9 395K vs Core Ultra 9 285K
Which is better, Intel Core Ultra 9 395K or Core Ultra 9 285K? +
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Intel Core Ultra 9 395K worth the price? +
At $649, Intel Core Ultra 9 395K delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in single.
Is Core Ultra 9 285K worth the price? +
At $589, Core Ultra 9 285K delivers a Specdex score of 89 — strongest in multi.
Does Intel Core Ultra 9 395K or Core Ultra 9 285K 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 better for gaming, Intel Core Ultra 9 395K or Core Ultra 9 285K? +
Intel Core Ultra 9 395K — leads on gaming (94 vs 85). Frame-rate-bound workloads — favours cache and single-thread speed.
Which is better for power efficiency, Intel Core Ultra 9 395K or Core Ultra 9 285K? +
Core Ultra 9 285K — leads on efficiency (90 vs 86). Performance per watt — thermals, PSU headroom, electricity cost.