TurboVS
Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX
Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX

Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX

Overview

Welcome to our in-depth specification comparison between the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX, two high-performance laptop processors built on the same 3 nm architecture. While they share a common foundation, key battlegrounds such as core configuration and thread count, turbo clock speeds, cache sizes, and real-world benchmark scores set them apart. Read on to discover which chip best suits your needs.

Common Features

  • ✓ Both are laptop CPUs.
  • ✓ Both have integrated graphics.
  • ✓ Both have a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 55W.
  • ✓ Both are built on a 3 nm semiconductor process.
  • ✓ Both have a maximum CPU temperature of 105 °C.
  • ✓ Both support PCIe version 5.
  • ✓ Both support 64-bit processing.
  • ✓ Both have an unlocked multiplier.
  • ✓ Both use big.LITTLE technology.
  • ✓ Both feature Turbo Boost version 2.
  • ✓ Both have a base GPU clock speed of 300 MHz.
  • ✓ Both support DirectX 12.
  • ✓ Both support up to 4 displays.
  • ✓ Both support OpenGL version 4.5.
  • ✓ Both support OpenCL version 3.
  • ✓ Both support RAM speeds of up to 6400 MHz.
  • ✓ Both use DDR5 memory.
  • ✓ Both have 2 memory channels.
  • ✓ Both support a maximum of 192 GB of RAM.
  • ✓ ECC memory support is available on both products.
  • ✓ Both share the same instruction sets: MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2.
  • ✓ The NX bit is supported on both products.

Main Differences

  • • The CPU socket is BGA 2049 on the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and BGA 2114 on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX.
  • • The CPU speed is 8 x 2.6 & 12 x 2.3 GHz on the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and 8 x 2.8 & 16 x 2.1 GHz on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX.
  • • The CPU thread count is 20 on the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and 24 on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX.
  • • The turbo clock speed is 5.3 GHz on the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and 5.5 GHz on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX.
  • • The L2 cache is 36 MB on the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and 40 MB on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX.
  • • The clock multiplier is 26 on the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and 28 on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX.
  • • The PassMark multi-core result is 49826 on the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and 62297 on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX.
  • • The PassMark single-core result is 4531 on the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and 4784 on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX.
  • • The GPU turbo clock speed is 1900 MHz on the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and 2000 MHz on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX.
Specs Comparison
Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX

Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX

Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX

Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX

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

At the foundational level, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX share a remarkably similar platform: both are laptop-class processors built on a 3 nm semiconductor process, operate under the same 55W TDP, cap at the same 105 °C junction temperature, and support PCIe 5.0 alongside 64-bit computing and integrated graphics. This shared foundation means both chips deliver identical platform-level capabilities in terms of power envelope, thermal headroom, and I/O bandwidth.

The one meaningful divergence in this group is the CPU socket: the Ultra 7 265HX uses BGA 2049, while the Ultra 9 285HX uses BGA 2114. The higher pin count on the 285HX′s socket suggests a physically larger die or additional interconnect capacity — a hardware-level difference that matters to system integrators and OEMs, as it means the two chips are not interchangeable on the same motherboard, despite their otherwise aligned specs.

For the general info category, these two processors are effectively tied on every consumer-facing specification — same power, same process node, same thermal limits. The socket difference is significant at the platform design level but irrelevant to end users choosing between two laptops already built around these chips. Neither chip holds a general-level advantage here; differentiation will come down to core counts, clock speeds, and cache in other spec groups.

Performance:
CPU speed 8 x 2.6 & 12 x 2.3 GHz 8 x 2.8 & 16 x 2.1 GHz
CPU threads 20 threads 24 threads
turbo clock speed 5.3GHz 5.5GHz
Has an unlocked multiplier ✓ ✓
L2 cache 36 MB 40 MB
Uses big.LITTLE technology ✓ ✓
clock multiplier 26 28
Turbo Boost version 2 2

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX both feature impressive performance specifications, though there are some notable differences. Both processors have an unlocked multiplier and support big.LITTLE technology. They also share the same Turbo Boost version (2) and feature similar L2 cache sizes, with the Ultra 7 having 36 MB and the Ultra 9 offering slightly more at 40 MB.

In terms of CPU speed, the Ultra 7 has a combination of 8 cores running at 2.6 GHz and 12 cores at 2.3 GHz, while the Ultra 9 offers 8 cores at 2.8 GHz and 16 cores at 2.1 GHz. The Ultra 9 has a higher number of cores, which may result in a more parallelized performance. Additionally, the Ultra 9 has a slightly higher turbo clock speed of 5.5 GHz compared to the Ultra 7′s 5.3 GHz.

Both products have the same clock multiplier of 26 for the Ultra 7 and 28 for the Ultra 9, aligning with their respective clock speeds. The Ultra 7 features 20 threads, while the Ultra 9 supports 24 threads, which could offer an advantage for multi-threaded tasks.

Benchmarks:
PassMark result 49826 62297
PassMark result (single) 4531 4784

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX show clear differences in their benchmark results. The Ultra 7 achieves a total PassMark result of 49,826, while the Ultra 9 scores higher with a PassMark result of 62,297. This indicates that the Ultra 9 performs better in overall benchmarking tests.

For single-threaded performance, the Ultra 7 has a score of 4,531, whereas the Ultra 9 slightly surpasses it with a score of 4,784. Both processors show strong single-thread performance, but the Ultra 9 again comes out ahead by a small margin.

Overall, while both processors are high-performing, the Ultra 9 demonstrates higher benchmark results in both overall and single-threaded performance.

Integrated graphics:
GPU clock speed 300 MHz 300 MHz
GPU turbo 1900 MHz 2000 MHz
DirectX version DirectX 12 DirectX 12
supported displays 4 4
OpenGL version 4.5 4.5
OpenCL version 3 3

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX share several similarities in their integrated graphics specifications. Both processors have the same GPU clock speed of 300 MHz and support up to 4 displays. They also both support DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.5, and OpenCL 3, providing strong support for modern graphics APIs.

However, there is a difference in the GPU turbo speed, with the Ultra 9 reaching 2,000 MHz, while the Ultra 7 peaks at 1,900 MHz. This difference may lead to a slightly higher graphics performance in the Ultra 9 under turbo conditions.

Overall, the integrated graphics of both processors are quite similar, with the main distinction being the slightly higher turbo clock speed in the Ultra 9.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX share identical memory specifications. Both processors support a maximum RAM speed of 6400 MHz, use DDR5 memory, and have 2 memory channels. Additionally, both can handle up to 192 GB of memory and support ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory.

Given that all memory-related specs are the same between the two processors, users can expect equivalent performance in terms of memory speed, capacity, and error correction capabilities for both models.

In summary, the memory features are identical for the Ultra 7 and Ultra 9, offering high-speed, high-capacity, and reliable memory support in both cases.

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
Has NX bit ✓ ✓

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX share identical features in terms of supported instruction sets and security features. Both processors support the same set of instruction sets, including MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2.

Additionally, both processors are equipped with the NX bit, which is a security feature that helps prevent certain types of malicious attacks by marking memory regions as non-executable.

In conclusion, the Ultra 7 and Ultra 9 offer the same set of instructions and security features, ensuring comparable capabilities in this regard.

Comparison Summary & Verdict

Both the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX are capable laptop processors sharing the same 55W TDP, DDR5 memory support, and integrated graphics platform. However, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX pulls ahead with a higher thread count of 24, a faster turbo clock speed of 5.5 GHz, a larger 40 MB L2 cache, and a notably stronger PassMark multi-core score of 62297 versus 49826. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX remains a solid choice for users who need strong mobile performance without necessarily demanding the absolute top tier. The Core Ultra 9 285HX is best suited for power users, content creators, and professionals who require maximum multi-threaded throughput and the highest possible CPU headroom in a laptop form factor.

Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX
Buy Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX if...

Choose the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX if you want a high-performance laptop CPU with strong turbo speeds and a balanced core configuration at a likely lower price point than the top-tier option.

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

Choose the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX if you need maximum multi-threaded performance, with more threads, a higher turbo clock speed of 5.5 GHz, a larger L2 cache, and significantly better benchmark scores for demanding workloads.