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Intel Core Ultra X9 388H specifications and in-depth review

Intel Core Ultra X9 388H

Manufacturer: Intel

The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H is a laptop CPU designed to handle a range of performance tasks. It features 16 threads for efficient multi-tasking and high responsiveness, making it suitable for demanding applications.

This processor offers a base clock speed of 2.1GHz across 4 cores, with a turbo boost of up to 5.1GHz. It supports up to 96GB of DDR5 RAM at a maximum speed of 9600 MHz, and includes integrated Arc B390 graphics with support for DirectX 12 Ultimate and 4 displays.

Pros
  • Supports integrated Arc B390 graphics, providing decent visual performance for a laptop CPU.
  • Offers up to 96GB of DDR5 RAM with a maximum speed of 9600 MHz, ensuring fast memory performance and ample capacity for multitasking.
  • Has 16 threads, making it capable of handling multiple tasks simultaneously, ideal for productivity or light to medium workload applications.
Cons
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 25W may limit performance under heavy loads compared to higher-TDP processors.
  • CPU temperature can reach 100 °C, which might indicate thermal management concerns during intensive tasks.
  • Limited to supporting only two memory channels, which may reduce overall memory bandwidth for performance-intensive applications.
Who is this for?

The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H is ideal for users who need a balance of performance and power efficiency. Its 16 threads and integrated Arc B390 graphics make it suitable for general multitasking and light gaming or graphics work. It is well-suited for productivity tasks, content creation, and light workloads where moderate graphics and processing power are needed without requiring high-end hardware.

Who is this NOT for?

This CPU may not be ideal for users engaged in high-performance tasks such as heavy gaming or professional video editing due to its relatively low thermal design power (TDP) of 25W and high CPU temperature of 100 °C, which may result in thermal throttling under intense workloads. Additionally, the limited memory channels may reduce its capability for memory-intensive applications, making it less suitable for tasks like 3D rendering or large-scale data processing.

General info:

Type Laptop
Has integrated graphics ✓
release date January 2026
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 25W
CPU temperature 100 °C
PCI Express (PCIe) version 5
Supports 64-bit ✓

The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H is a laptop processor that supports integrated graphics, specifically the Arc B390, for a more efficient computing experience. With a thermal design power (TDP) of 25W, it strikes a balance between performance and energy efficiency. This CPU also supports PCIe 5.0 and is 64-bit capable, ensuring compatibility with modern applications and hardware.

Performance:

CPU speed 4 x 2.1 & 8 x 1.6 & 4 x 1.6 GHz
CPU threads 16 threads
turbo clock speed 5.1GHz
L3 cache 18 MB
Uses big.LITTLE technology ✓
Turbo Boost version 2

The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H offers impressive performance with a total clock speed configuration of 4 cores at 2.1 GHz, 8 cores at 1.6 GHz, and 4 cores at 1.6 GHz. It features 16 threads for efficient multitasking and supports Turbo Boost 2.0, allowing it to reach a maximum turbo clock speed of 5.1 GHz. The processor also includes 18 MB of L3 cache and utilizes big.LITTLE technology for enhanced power management.

Benchmarks:

Integrated graphics:

GPU name Arc B390
GPU turbo 2500 MHz
DirectX version DirectX 12 Ultimate
supported displays 4
OpenGL version 4.6
OpenCL version 3

The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H is equipped with Arc B390 integrated graphics, delivering solid graphical performance. It supports DirectX 12 Ultimate and OpenGL 4.6, ensuring compatibility with modern gaming and graphics-intensive applications. The GPU can reach a turbo frequency of 2500 MHz and supports up to 4 displays for a versatile visual experience.

Memory:

RAM speed (max) 9600 MHz
DDR memory version 5
memory channels 2
maximum memory amount 96GB

The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H supports DDR5 RAM with a maximum speed of 9600 MHz, providing fast memory performance. It features 2 memory channels for efficient data transfer and supports up to 96GB of RAM, offering ample capacity for demanding applications and multitasking.

Features:

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

The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H supports a wide range of instruction sets, including MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, and SSE 4.2, ensuring compatibility with various modern software and applications. Additionally, it features the NX bit for enhanced security by preventing certain types of malicious code execution.

Final Verdict

The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H is a solid choice for users seeking efficient multitasking and moderate graphical performance in a laptop CPU. Its 16 threads and integrated Arc B390 graphics offer a good balance for general computing and light content creation. While its thermal design power and high CPU temperature may limit performance under heavy loads, it is well-suited for tasks that do not demand extreme power. Overall, the X9 388H is an excellent option for everyday productivity and light gaming, offering reliable performance for mainstream users.