TurboVS
Intel Core Ultra 7 255H
Intel Core Ultra 9 285H

Intel Core Ultra 7 255H Intel Core Ultra 9 285H

Overview

Welcome to our detailed spec comparison between the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H, two laptop processors sharing the same BGA 2049 socket and 3 nm architecture. While both chips offer identical memory support, instruction sets, and the Arc 140T integrated GPU at their core, key battlegrounds emerge around raw CPU clock speeds, thermal design power, multi-core benchmark performance, and GPU execution unit count. Read on to discover which processor aligns best with your needs.

Common Features

  • ✓ Both products are laptop-type CPUs.
  • ✓ Both use the BGA 2049 CPU socket.
  • ✓ Integrated graphics are available on both products.
  • ✓ Both are manufactured on a 3 nm semiconductor process.
  • ✓ Both have a maximum CPU temperature of 110 °C.
  • ✓ Both support PCI Express version 5.
  • ✓ Both products support 64-bit computing.
  • ✓ Both CPUs have 16 threads.
  • ✓ Neither product has an unlocked multiplier.
  • ✓ Both share an L3 cache of 24 MB.
  • ✓ Both use big.LITTLE technology.
  • ✓ Both feature the Intel Arc 140T integrated GPU.
  • ✓ The integrated GPU base clock speed is 300 MHz on both products.
  • ✓ Both support DirectX 12 Ultimate.
  • ✓ Both support up to 4 displays simultaneously.
  • ✓ Both support OpenGL version 4.6.
  • ✓ Both support OpenCL version 3.
  • ✓ Both GPUs have 64 texture mapping units (TMUs).
  • ✓ Both GPUs have 32 render output units (ROPs).
  • ✓ Both support a maximum RAM speed of 8400 MHz.
  • ✓ Both use DDR5 memory.
  • ✓ Both have 2 memory channels.
  • ✓ Both support a maximum memory amount of 128 GB.
  • ✓ ECC memory is not supported on either product.
  • ✓ Both support the same instruction sets: MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2.
  • ✓ Multithreading is not used on either product.
  • ✓ Both products have an NX bit.

Main Differences

  • • Thermal Design Power (TDP) is 28W on the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and 45W on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • • CPU base clock speed is 6 x 2 GHz & 8 x 1.5 GHz on the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and 6 x 2.9 GHz & 8 x 2.7 GHz on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • • Turbo clock speed is 5.1 GHz on the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and 5.4 GHz on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • • Clock multiplier is 20 on the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and 29 on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • • PassMark result is 30756 on the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and 33969 on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • • PassMark single-core result is 4373 on the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and 4472 on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • • PassMark overclocked result is 30494 on the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and 34411 on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • • GPU turbo clock speed is 2250 MHz on the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and 2350 MHz on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
  • • GPU execution units number 8 on the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and 128 on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H.
Specs Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 7 255H

Intel Core Ultra 7 255H

Intel Core Ultra 9 285H

Intel Core Ultra 9 285H

General info:
Type Laptop Laptop
CPU socket BGA 2049 BGA 2049
Has integrated graphics ✓ ✓
release date January 2025 January 2025
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 28W 45W
semiconductor size 3 nm 3 nm
CPU temperature 110 °C 110 °C
PCI Express (PCIe) version 5 5
Supports 64-bit ✓ ✓

Both the Core Ultra 7 255H and Core Ultra 9 285H share the same fundamental platform: laptop-class BGA 2049 socket chips built on a 3 nm process node, with integrated graphics, PCIe 5 support, 64-bit compatibility, and a maximum junction temperature of 110 °C. This common foundation means both processors benefit from the same manufacturing maturity and architectural generation, and neither holds an inherent platform-level advantage over the other.

The most meaningful differentiator in this group is Thermal Design Power: the Ultra 7 255H is rated at 28W while the Ultra 9 285H runs at 45W — a 60% higher power envelope. In practice, this gap has direct consequences for system design and real-world use. The 285H demands more robust cooling hardware, larger heat pipes, and typically a thicker or heavier chassis. Conversely, the 255H's lower TDP makes it a natural fit for thinner, quieter, and more battery-friendly ultrabooks where sustained heat dissipation is constrained.

In this general-info group, the Core Ultra 7 255H has an edge for users prioritizing thermal efficiency and portability, while the Core Ultra 9 285H targets systems where the thermal headroom can be fully exploited for sustained performance. Neither chip is universally superior here — the right choice depends entirely on the host system's cooling capacity and the user's tolerance for chassis size and fan noise.

Performance:
CPU speed 6 x 2 & 8 x 1.5 GHz 6 x 2.9 & 8 x 2.7 GHz
CPU threads 16 threads 16 threads
turbo clock speed 5.1GHz 5.4GHz
Has an unlocked multiplier ✕ ✕
L3 cache 24 MB 24 MB
Uses big.LITTLE technology ✓ ✓
clock multiplier 20 29

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and Intel Core Ultra 9 285H both feature 16 CPU threads, offering similar multitasking capabilities. The two processors use big.LITTLE technology, with a mix of performance and efficiency cores, which is a common feature in modern high-performance CPUs. Both CPUs have an L3 cache of 24 MB, ensuring fast access to frequently used data.

When it comes to clock speeds, the Ultra 9 285H has slightly higher base and boost frequencies compared to the Ultra 7 255H. The Ultra 9 285H operates at a base speed of 2.9 GHz on its performance cores and 2.7 GHz on its efficiency cores, while the Ultra 7 255H has a base speed of 2 GHz on the performance cores and 1.5 GHz on the efficiency cores. This means the Ultra 9 285H is set to deliver more performance per core under load.

Both processors have a turbo clock speed of 5.1 GHz for the Ultra 7 255H and 5.4 GHz for the Ultra 9 285H, giving the Ultra 9 285H a slight edge in peak performance. Additionally, both processors have a fixed clock multiplier of 20 for the Ultra 7 255H and 29 for the Ultra 9 285H, reflecting their respective base and boost clock capabilities.

Benchmarks:
PassMark result 30756 33969
PassMark result (single) 4373 4472
PassMark result (overclocked) 30494 34411

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and Intel Core Ultra 9 285H show a noticeable difference in their PassMark benchmark results. The Ultra 9 285H achieves a higher overall PassMark score of 33,969, compared to the Ultra 7 255H's score of 30,756. This suggests that the Ultra 9 285H delivers a stronger overall performance in typical workloads.

When it comes to single-threaded performance, the Ultra 9 285H also leads with a single-thread score of 4,472, slightly higher than the Ultra 7 255H's score of 4,373. The difference here is modest, but it still indicates a minor edge in single-core tasks for the Ultra 9 285H.

For overclocked performance, the Ultra 9 285H again surpasses the Ultra 7 255H, achieving a score of 34,411 compared to 30,494. This overclocked result further emphasizes the Ultra 9 285H's ability to push higher performance under load, though both processors show significant gains when overclocked.

Integrated graphics:
GPU clock speed 300 MHz 300 MHz
GPU name Arc 140T Arc 140T
GPU turbo 2250 MHz 2350 MHz
GPU execution units 8 128
DirectX version DirectX 12 Ultimate DirectX 12 Ultimate
supported displays 4 4
OpenGL version 4.6 4.6
OpenCL version 3 3
texture mapping units (TMUs) 64 64
render output units (ROPs) 32 32
shading units 1024 1024

Both the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and Intel Core Ultra 9 285H feature the same integrated graphics processor, named Arc 140T. The GPU clock speed for both processors is 300 MHz, and both support the same DirectX version, DirectX 12 Ultimate, and OpenGL version 4.6. In terms of computing capabilities, they both support OpenCL version 3 and have identical texture mapping units (TMUs) at 64, render output units (ROPs) at 32, and shading units at 1024.

The main difference between the two products lies in the GPU turbo frequency and execution units. The Ultra 9 285H has a slightly higher GPU turbo speed of 2,350 MHz compared to the Ultra 7 255H's 2,250 MHz. Additionally, the Ultra 9 285H features significantly more GPU execution units, with 128 execution units compared to the Ultra 7 255H's 8 execution units. This suggests that the Ultra 9 285H might handle more complex graphical tasks with greater efficiency.

Both processors are capable of driving up to four displays, ensuring ample connectivity for multi-monitor setups, but the Ultra 9 285H's additional execution units could make it better suited for demanding graphical workloads.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and Intel Core Ultra 9 285H are identical when it comes to memory specifications. Both processors support a maximum RAM speed of 8400 MHz, use DDR5 memory, and feature dual memory channels. They also have the same maximum memory capacity of 128GB and do not support ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory.

Since all memory-related specifications are the same for both processors, there are no differences in terms of memory performance or compatibility between the two models.

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

Both the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H and Intel Core Ultra 9 285H support the same set of instruction sets, including MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2. These instruction sets allow both processors to handle a wide variety of tasks, from basic operations to more advanced encryption and multimedia workloads.

Both processors also lack multithreading support, meaning they do not utilize simultaneous multithreading (SMT) technology. However, both processors include the NX bit, which helps protect against certain types of malware attacks by preventing the execution of code from non-executable memory areas.

As a result, when it comes to features, both the Ultra 7 255H and Ultra 9 285H are nearly identical, with the same instruction set support and security features.

Comparison Summary & Verdict

After examining every available data point, a clear picture emerges for each processor. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, with its lower 28W TDP, more modest base clocks, and PassMark score of 30,756, is the compelling choice for users who prioritize power efficiency in thin-and-light laptops where thermal headroom is limited. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285H, on the other hand, commands a higher 45W TDP and delivers meaningfully faster clock speeds, a 5.4 GHz turbo, a PassMark score of 33,969, and a dramatically larger GPU execution unit count of 128 versus just 8 on the 255H, making it the clear pick for users demanding peak processing and graphics throughput in performance-class machines.

Intel Core Ultra 7 255H
Buy Intel Core Ultra 7 255H if...

Choose the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H if you need a power-efficient laptop processor with a lower 28W TDP, and your workloads do not demand the highest possible clock speeds or integrated GPU throughput.

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

Choose the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H if you want maximum laptop CPU performance, with higher base and turbo clock speeds, a stronger PassMark score, and a vastly more capable integrated GPU with 128 execution units.