Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX
Intel Core Ultra 9 285H

Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX Intel Core Ultra 9 285H

Overview

When choosing between the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H, laptop buyers face a nuanced decision that goes well beyond a simple performance hierarchy. Both processors share a modern 3 nm architecture, DDR5 memory support, and big.LITTLE core design, yet they diverge in meaningful ways across thermal envelope, memory capabilities, integrated graphics, and raw benchmark results. This comparison breaks down every key specification to help you find the right fit for your workflow.

Common Features

  • Both are laptop-type processors.
  • Both feature integrated graphics.
  • Both are built on a 3 nm semiconductor process.
  • Both support PCI Express version 5.
  • Both support 64-bit computing.
  • Both use big.LITTLE technology for mixed core configurations.
  • Both have a base GPU clock speed of 300 MHz.
  • Both support up to 4 displays via integrated graphics.
  • Both support OpenCL version 3.
  • Both use DDR5 memory.
  • Both have 2 memory channels.
  • Both support the NX bit security feature.
  • Both include the same instruction sets: F16C, MMX, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2.

Main Differences

  • The CPU socket is BGA 2114 on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and BGA 2049 on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP) is 55W on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and 45W on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • Maximum CPU temperature is 105 °C on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and 110 °C on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • CPU speed is 6 x 3.1 & 8 x 2.6 GHz on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and 6 x 2.9 & 8 x 2.7 GHz on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • CPU thread count is 14 on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and 16 on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • Turbo clock speed is 5.1 GHz on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and 5.4 GHz on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • An unlocked multiplier is available on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX but not on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • The clock multiplier is 31 on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and 29 on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • PassMark multi-core result is 40059 on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and 33969 on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • PassMark single-core result is 4530 on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and 4472 on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • GPU turbo clock speed is 1900 MHz on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and 2350 MHz on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • DirectX support is DirectX 12 on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and DirectX 12 Ultimate on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • OpenGL version is 4.5 on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and 4.6 on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • Maximum RAM speed is 6400 MHz on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and 8400 MHz on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • Maximum memory capacity is 192 GB on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and 128 GB on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • ECC memory support is present on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX but not available on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
Specs Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX

Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX

Intel Core Ultra 9 285H

Intel Core Ultra 9 285H

General info:
Type Laptop Laptop
CPU socket BGA 2114 BGA 2049
Has integrated graphics
release date January 2025 January 2025
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 55W 45W
semiconductor size 3 nm 3 nm
CPU temperature 105 °C 110 °C
PCI Express (PCIe) version 5 5
Supports 64-bit

Both the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H are laptop processors built on a 3 nm semiconductor process, supporting PCIe 5 and 64-bit computing, and both include integrated graphics — establishing a strong common baseline for modern, capable mobile platforms. These shared fundamentals mean neither chip is at a technological disadvantage in terms of fabrication generation or platform connectivity.

The most meaningful differentiator in this group is Thermal Design Power: the 245HX carries a 55W TDP versus the 285H's 45W TDP. In practice, a higher TDP signals that the chip is designed to draw and dissipate more power under sustained load, which typically translates to higher peak performance headroom — but at the cost of greater heat output and faster battery drain. Laptop OEMs targeting the 245HX will need more robust cooling solutions. Conversely, the 285H's lower 45W envelope makes it a more thermally and energetically efficient choice, better suited to thinner or battery-focused designs. Interestingly, the 285H also has a slightly higher maximum CPU temperature tolerance of 110°C versus the 245HX's 105°C, meaning it can sustain higher junction temperatures before thermal throttling kicks in — partially compensating for its tighter power budget.

Overall, the Core Ultra 5 245HX has an edge for raw sustained performance potential in thermally unconstrained systems due to its higher TDP, while the Core Ultra 9 285H holds an advantage in efficiency and thermal headroom, making it the stronger fit for premium thin-and-light or balanced workstation laptops. The socket difference (BGA 2114 vs BGA 2049) is platform-specific and not a user-facing advantage for either chip.

Performance:
CPU speed 6 x 3.1 & 8 x 2.6 GHz 6 x 2.9 & 8 x 2.7 GHz
CPU threads 14 threads 16 threads
turbo clock speed 5.1GHz 5.4GHz
Has an unlocked multiplier
Uses big.LITTLE technology
clock multiplier 31 29

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processors differ in several key performance aspects. The Core Ultra 5 245HX features a CPU speed of 6 x 3.1 GHz for its performance cores and 8 x 2.6 GHz for its efficiency cores, while the Core Ultra 9 285H runs at 6 x 2.9 GHz and 8 x 2.7 GHz for its respective cores. Both processors utilize big.LITTLE technology, allowing for efficient task management between performance and efficiency cores.

In terms of CPU threads, the Core Ultra 5 245HX supports 14 threads, whereas the Core Ultra 9 285H supports 16 threads. This indicates that the Core Ultra 9 285H can handle more simultaneous tasks compared to the Core Ultra 5 245HX.

For turbo clock speeds, the Core Ultra 5 245HX can boost up to 5.1 GHz, while the Core Ultra 9 285H can reach a slightly higher 5.4 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 245HX also features an unlocked multiplier, which allows for overclocking, while the Core Ultra 9 285H has a locked multiplier, limiting its ability to overclock. Both processors use a clock multiplier of 31 and 29, respectively, which reflects the base clock speed they rely on for the respective speeds of their cores.

Benchmarks:
PassMark result 40059 33969
PassMark result (single) 4530 4472

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and Intel Core Ultra 9 285H differ in their PassMark benchmark results. The Core Ultra 5 245HX achieves a total PassMark result of 40059, while the Core Ultra 9 285H scores 33969. This indicates that the Core Ultra 5 245HX performs better overall in this benchmark test.

For single-threaded performance, the Core Ultra 5 245HX scores 4530, while the Core Ultra 9 285H scores slightly lower at 4472. While both processors perform similarly in single-threaded tasks, the Core Ultra 5 245HX has a small edge in this area as well.

Overall, the Core Ultra 5 245HX outperforms the Core Ultra 9 285H in both overall and single-threaded PassMark benchmark scores.

Integrated graphics:
GPU clock speed 300 MHz 300 MHz
GPU turbo 1900 MHz 2350 MHz
DirectX version DirectX 12 DirectX 12 Ultimate
supported displays 4 4
OpenGL version 4.5 4.6
OpenCL version 3 3

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and Intel Core Ultra 9 285H both feature integrated graphics with similar base GPU clock speeds of 300 MHz. However, the GPU turbo speeds differ, with the Core Ultra 5 245HX reaching 1900 MHz and the Core Ultra 9 285H boosting to 2350 MHz, providing a higher peak GPU performance for the Core Ultra 9 285H.

Both processors support DirectX 12, but the Core Ultra 9 285H supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, which offers additional features over the standard DirectX 12 available on the Core Ultra 5 245HX.

When it comes to other graphics technologies, both processors support 4 displays, OpenGL version 4.5, and OpenCL version 3, with no differences in these specifications between the two models.

Memory:
RAM speed (max) 6400 MHz 8400 MHz
DDR memory version 5 5
memory channels 2 2
maximum memory amount 192GB 128GB
Supports ECC memory

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and Intel Core Ultra 9 285H have similar memory configurations in terms of memory channels, both supporting 2 channels and DDR5 memory. However, there are notable differences in the other memory specifications. The Core Ultra 5 245HX supports a maximum RAM speed of 6400 MHz, while the Core Ultra 9 285H can reach a faster maximum speed of 8400 MHz.

In terms of maximum supported memory, the Core Ultra 5 245HX has a higher capacity, supporting up to 192GB, whereas the Core Ultra 9 285H is limited to 128GB of memory.

Another key difference is that the Core Ultra 5 245HX supports ECC memory (Error Correcting Code), which is important for detecting and correcting memory errors, while the Core Ultra 9 285H does not support ECC memory.

Features:
instruction sets F16C, MMX, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2 MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2
Has NX bit

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX and Intel Core Ultra 9 285H share most of the same instruction sets, including MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2, providing similar support for a range of optimized computing tasks. However, the Core Ultra 5 245HX has one additional instruction set, the SSE 4.2, which is not listed for the Core Ultra 9 285H.

Both processors have the NX bit enabled, which is used for security purposes, ensuring that certain areas of memory cannot be executed as code. This feature is the same for both processors.

Overall, the instruction set support is nearly identical between the two products, with the main difference being the additional SSE 4.2 support on the Core Ultra 5 245HX.

Comparison Summary & Verdict

After examining all available specifications, a clear picture emerges for each processor. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX stands out with a higher PassMark multi-core score of 40059, an unlocked multiplier for overclocking flexibility, support for up to 192 GB of RAM with ECC memory compatibility, making it a strong candidate for workstation-class laptops, power users, and professionals handling memory-intensive or reliability-critical workloads. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285H, on the other hand, delivers a higher turbo clock speed of 5.4 GHz, faster RAM support up to 8400 MHz, a superior integrated GPU turbo of 2350 MHz with DirectX 12 Ultimate and OpenGL 4.6, all within a lower 45W TDP, making it better suited for users who prioritize graphics performance, power efficiency, and peak single-core responsiveness in a thermally constrained laptop.

Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX
Buy Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX if...

Buy the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX if you need maximum memory capacity up to 192 GB, ECC memory support, overclocking via an unlocked multiplier, or the highest multi-core benchmark performance for demanding professional workloads.

Intel Core Ultra 9 285H
Buy Intel Core Ultra 9 285H if...

Buy the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H if you prioritize a lower 45W thermal envelope, faster RAM speeds up to 8400 MHz, a stronger integrated GPU with DirectX 12 Ultimate support, and a higher turbo clock speed of 5.4 GHz for peak responsiveness.