Intel Core Ultra 9 288V

Name: Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
Brand: Intel
SKU: 8540

Manufacturer: Intel

The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is a laptop-class processor designed around Intel's 3 nm fabrication process, pairing a multi-core CPU architecture with an onboard graphics solution. It operates within a 30W thermal design power envelope, making it suited for thin-and-light portable systems where thermal headroom is constrained. The chip supports 64-bit computing and PCIe 5.0, reflecting a reasonably current platform feature set for its category.

On the performance side, the Core Ultra 9 288V offers 8 threads across its cores, with a base clock arrangement of 4 x 3.3 GHz and a turbo frequency reaching 5.1 GHz. It records a PassMark multi-core score of 20,093 and a single-core score of 4,333. The integrated Arc Graphics 140V includes 8 execution units, boosts up to 2,050 MHz, and supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and OpenCL 3. Memory support extends to DDR5 at up to 8,533 MHz across two channels, with a maximum capacity of 32 GB.

Pros

Built on a 3 nm semiconductor process, which supports a compact and thermally efficient chip design within a 30W TDP envelope
Turbo clock speed reaches 5.1 GHz, offering a meaningful frequency ceiling for single-threaded workloads
DDR5 memory support with speeds up to 8,533 MHz across two channels allows for fast memory throughput in a laptop platform
The integrated Arc Graphics 140V supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and OpenCL 3, covering a wide range of graphics and compute API requirements
PCIe 5.0 support enables compatibility with current-generation storage and peripheral interfaces
The NX bit provides hardware-level memory protection, contributing to system security

Cons

Maximum memory capacity is capped at 32 GB, which may be limiting for memory-intensive workloads
Multithreading is not supported, reducing the processor's ability to handle highly parallelized tasks
The unlocked multiplier is absent, meaning clock speeds cannot be manually adjusted beyond factory settings
With only 8 GPU execution units, the integrated graphics solution has limited headroom for demanding graphical tasks
L3 cache is limited to 12 MB, which may become a bottleneck in cache-sensitive applications

Who is this for?

This processor is well-suited for users seeking a capable laptop chip for everyday computing, productivity workloads, and light creative tasks within a thermally constrained form factor. The 30W TDP combined with a 3 nm process node makes it a reasonable fit for slim, portable machines where power efficiency matters. Users who benefit from onboard graphics without a discrete GPU — such as those handling general multimedia consumption, light content creation, or compute tasks via OpenCL 3 — will find the integrated Arc Graphics 140V functional for their needs. The DDR5 memory support and PCIe 5.0 compatibility also make it a decent match for users who want a reasonably modern platform for fast storage and responsive system performance.

Who is this NOT for?

This processor is not well-suited for users with demanding parallel processing needs, as the lack of multithreading support limits its ability to efficiently handle heavily threaded workloads such as video encoding, large-scale data processing, or virtualization. The 32 GB memory ceiling makes it a poor fit for professional applications that rely on large memory pools, such as high-resolution 3D rendering or extensive dataset analysis. Similarly, users looking for serious gaming or GPU-accelerated tasks will find the 8-execution-unit integrated graphics insufficient for anything beyond modest graphical demands.

General info:

Type	Laptop
Has integrated graphics	✓
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	30W
semiconductor size	3 nm
CPU temperature	100 °C
PCI Express (PCIe) version	5
Supports 64-bit	✓

The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is a laptop processor built on a 3 nm semiconductor process, keeping its thermal design power at a modest 30W with a maximum operating temperature of 100 °C. It includes integrated graphics, supports 64-bit computing, and features PCIe 5.0 connectivity for modern platform compatibility.

Performance:

CPU speed	4 x 3.3 & 4 x 3.3 GHz
CPU threads	8 threads
turbo clock speed	5.1GHz
Has an unlocked multiplier	✕
L3 cache	12 MB
Uses big.LITTLE technology	✓
clock multiplier	33

The processor runs at a base speed of 4 x 3.3 GHz across its cores and can reach a turbo clock speed of 5.1 GHz, with a clock multiplier of 33. It supports 8 threads and employs big.LITTLE technology to manage workloads across different core types. The chip includes 12 MB of L3 cache and does not feature an unlocked multiplier.

Benchmarks:

PassMark result	20093
PassMark result (single)	4333
PassMark result (overclocked)	21054

In PassMark benchmarks, the processor achieves a multi-core score of 20,093 and a single-core score of 4,333, with the overclocked result reaching 21,054.

Integrated graphics:

GPU name	Arc Graphics 140V
GPU turbo	2050 MHz
GPU execution units	8
DirectX version	DirectX 12 Ultimate
supported displays	3
OpenGL version	4.6
OpenCL version	3

The integrated Arc Graphics 140V features 8 execution units and a turbo frequency of 2,050 MHz, with support for up to 3 displays simultaneously. On the API side, it is compatible with DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and OpenCL 3, covering a broad range of graphics and compute workloads.

Memory:

RAM speed (max)	8533 MHz
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
maximum memory amount	32GB
Supports ECC memory	✕

The processor supports DDR5 memory across two channels, with a maximum speed of 8,533 MHz and a top capacity of 32 GB. ECC memory is not supported.

Features:

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

The processor supports a range of instruction sets including MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2, covering vectorization, encryption, and floating-point operations. It includes the NX bit for hardware-level memory protection, though multithreading is not supported.

Final Verdict

The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is a laptop processor that strikes a clear balance between efficiency and capability, anchored by its 3 nm architecture and 30W thermal envelope. Its turbo frequency of 5.1 GHz, DDR5 memory support, and PCIe 5.0 compatibility place it firmly in the current-generation feature set, while the integrated Arc Graphics 140V adds meaningful versatility for users who do not require discrete graphics. That said, the absence of multithreading and the 32 GB memory cap mean it is best positioned for productivity-focused, everyday laptop use rather than demanding professional or GPU-intensive workloads. For users whose needs align with its strengths — portable computing, light creative tasks, and modern platform connectivity — it represents a well-rounded solution within its category.