Retailer photo of Intel Core Ultra 9 285K. View this offer in Where to buy
Intel · CPU · Core Ultra 200
Core Ultra 9 285K
The current Core Ultra 9 285K price from retailers, its key specifications, and how it performs for each job.
Works well for: Productivity, Gaming
Trade-offs: you want strong value with Balanced priorities specifically
- Cores / threads
- 24C / 24T
- Boost clock
- 5500 MHz
- Socket
- LGA 1851
- TDP
- 250 W
- Memory support
- DDR5
Move a slider and the page re-scores this product against the same market frame.
What does it cost today, and is that a good price?
Market confidence: MediumAt $520 the Core Ultra 9 285K is priced 17% below its $630 representative market level. Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus currently does the same job for $330.
Worth putting side by side:Compare with Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus
Prices & availability
Core Ultra 9 285K: current price and offers
Compare the offers we track for this model, across variants and retailers.
3 tracked offers · 3 retailers
| Variant | Store | Condition | Price (snapshot) | Value · Balanced | Checked | Offer link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 9 285K | Newegg | New | $520 | 55 | 2026-10-17 | View offer → |
| Core Ultra 9 285K | B&H | New | $630 | 48 | 2026-10-17 | View offer → |
| Core Ultra 9 285K | MemoryC | New | $728 | 43 | 2026-10-11 | View offer → |
| Core Ultra 9 285KMultiple variants available | Amazon Affiliate | Varies | Find on Amazon | Not tracked | No price snapshot | Find on Amazon → |
Prices are dated snapshots, not live quotes — confirm the final price at the store. New, refurbished and used offers are listed separately; used offers carry warranty and seller risk.
Performance and where it ranks
Two different questions, side by side. Performance compares what the hardware can do; Value compares what that capability costs at today’s price. A product can rank high on one and low on the other — that gap is the point.
Performance Balanced
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#18 of 264 graded processors
- #15 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 42
- #16 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 41
- #17 IntelIntel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus 40
- #18 IntelCore Ultra 9 285K 39
- #19 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX 39
- #20 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX 39
- #21 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 9950X 38
Value Balanced
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#65 of 264 currently priced processors
- #62 IntelIntel Core i7-14700 55
- #63 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D 55
- #64 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 7950X 55
- #65 IntelCore Ultra 9 285K 55
- #66 IntelIntel Core i5-13500 54
- #67 IntelIntel Core i9-14900KF 54
- #68 IntelIntel Core i5-12600K 54
Performance Gaming
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#44 of 264 graded processors
- #41 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 9600 73
- #42 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX 72
- #43 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7975WX 72
- #44 IntelCore Ultra 9 285K 72
- #45 IntelIntel Core Ultra 9 285 72
- #46 IntelIntel Core i7-14700KF 72
- #47 IntelIntel Core i9-13900KF 71
Value Gaming
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#54 of 264 currently priced processors
- #51 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 5500 59
- #52 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 5900XT 59
- #53 IntelIntel Core i9-14900 59
- #54 IntelCore Ultra 9 285K 59
- #55 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 7900 59
- #56 AMDAMD EPYC 4464P 59
- #57 IntelIntel Core i9-13900F 58
Performance Productivity
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#18 of 264 graded processors
- #15 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 42
- #16 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 41
- #17 IntelIntel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus 40
- #18 IntelCore Ultra 9 285K 39
- #19 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX 39
- #20 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX 39
- #21 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 9950X 38
Value Productivity
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#10 of 264 currently priced processors
- #7 IntelIntel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus 54
- #8 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX 47
- #9 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X 43
- #10 IntelCore Ultra 9 285K 43
- #11 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X 41
- #12 IntelIntel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus 41
- #13 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX 39
Performance Performance per Watt
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#40 of 264 graded processors
- #37 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7975WX 50
- #38 IntelIntel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus 50
- #39 IntelIntel Core Ultra 7 265 50
- #40 IntelCore Ultra 9 285K 49
- #41 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 7950X 49
- #42 IntelIntel Core Ultra 7 265F 49
- #43 IntelIntel Core Ultra 5 245KF 49
Value Performance per Watt
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#61 of 264 currently priced processors
- #58 AMDRyzen 7 7800X3D 44
- #59 IntelIntel Core Ultra 7 265KF 44
- #60 IntelIntel Core i3-12100 43
- #61 IntelCore Ultra 9 285K 43
- #62 IntelIntel Core i5-13500 43
- #63 AMDAMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 42
- #64 IntelIntel Core i5-13400F 42
These ladders follow the preset scenario shown above. Your own weights re-score this product, not the whole field.
What it is good for
| Scenario | this productCapability grade · Value at current price | Higher capability | Higher Value with current priorities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced (all-round)Weighted all-round view | GradeNo grade Value55 | — | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus 82 +2% capability · -37% price |
| GamingScenario capability | GradeA Value59 | Higher capability Higher capability · Higher Value with current priorities Ryzen 7 9850X3D S 100 +39% capability · -7% price | |
| ProductivityScenario capability | GradeS Value43 | — | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus S 54 +2% capability · -37% price |
| Performance per WattScenario capability | GradeB Value43 | Higher capability AMD Ryzen 9 7900 S 93 +103% capability · -14% price | Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 7 9700X S 100 +55% capability · -52% price |
Balanced has no letter: it is a weighting preset, not a capability rubric. A grade answers “how well does this handle that job?” — price is never part of it. Relative Value puts the current market price back in.
Compare these grades with the full tier list
Browse shortlists for different uses
Trade-offs
Works well if
- Productivity is your main prioritygraded S for Productivity on the same rubric as the tier list
Consider other options if
- You want strong value with Balanced priorities specificallyat today's market no realistic price for this model reaches strong value with Balanced priorities — the calculation only gets there near $302, against a cheapest tracked $520
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus holds Relative Value 82 against its 55 with Balanced priorities, at $330
Works well if
- Gaming is your main prioritygraded A for Gaming on the same rubric as the tier list
Consider other options if
- You want strong value for Gaming specificallyat today's market no realistic price for this model reaches strong value for Gaming — the calculation only gets there near $156, against a cheapest tracked $520
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelRyzen 7 9850X3D holds Relative Value 100 against its 59 for Gaming, at $484
Works well if
- Productivity is your main prioritygraded S for Productivity on the same rubric as the tier list
Consider other options if
- You want strong value for Productivity specificallycompeting products deliver so much more for Productivity per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus holds Relative Value 54 against its 43 for Productivity, at $330
Works well if
- Performance per Watt is your main prioritygraded B for Performance per Watt on the same rubric as the tier list
Consider other options if
- You want strong value for Performance per Watt specificallycompeting products deliver so much more for Performance per Watt per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelAMD Ryzen 7 9700X holds Relative Value 100 against its 43 for Performance per Watt, at $250
Models that suit Performance per Watt better, at this budget
Every line states the fact it was derived from, for the scenario selected above. Thresholds are calculated points on our value curve — information about where the maths turns, not instructions about what to pay.
Similar options to the Core Ultra 9 285K
Chosen for Balanced
Chosen for Gaming
Chosen for Productivity
Chosen for Performance per Watt
Alternatives stay near this product’s price range. Step-up options may exceed the standard budget envelope when the capability gain is meaningful.
More head-to-head comparisons in this category
Upgrade planner
Judge the change in the active scenario, then make the cash gap explicit.
Using page scenarioWhat are you upgrading from? These are the axes we compare on, and where this product stands in the current market.
We rank upgrades by out-of-pocket cost — the new price minus what yours is worth — not by sticker price.
Only candidates that clear the configured meaningful-upgrade gate will be shown; roles are omitted rather than filled.
Capability differences are expressed as tiers and index points, not as benchmark percentages we did not measure.
Specifications and compatibility
What this product is, and what to check before it goes into your build.
Core / Performance
- Cores
- 24
- Threads
- 24
- Performance cores
- 8
- Efficiency cores
- 16
- Base clock
- 3700 MHz
- Boost clock
- 5500 MHz
Power / Interface
- TDP
- 250 W
- Maximum turbo power
- 250 W
- Socket
- LGA 1851
- Memory support
- DDR5
- Maximum memory
- 256 GB
- Integrated graphics
- Intel Graphics
- Process node
- 3 nm
Show all specifications
Core / Performance
- L2 cache
- 40 MB
- L3 cache
- 36 MB
- Unlocked multiplier
- Yes
Warranty & release
- Warranty
- 3 years
- Release year
- 2024
Hover any value to see where it came from: a manufacturer specification, or a figure The Comparator calculated.
Sources: Comparator offer frame 2026-10-10–2026-10-17
What to check in your build
LGA 1851 required
Your motherboard must use socket LGA 1851. A different socket does not fit — this is a physical constraint, not a preference.
Board BIOS must list this model
A matching socket is necessary but not sufficient — check the vendor CPU support list.
DDR5 memory
This processor takes DDR5. Memory of another generation does not fit the slots, even on a board with the right socket.
Cooler rated for 250 W or more
No cooler is included. Your cooler must be rated for at least 250 W on socket LGA 1851.
Found an error? Report this specification Email the field, corrected value and an optional source.
Compatibility guidance is practical help, not a score. Missing data is shown as unknown, never invented.
Summary
Core Ultra 9 285K offers a balanced view across an all-round mix of priorities. It ranks #18 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 1893. Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Core Ultra 9 285K offers A-grade capability for Gaming. It ranks #44 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 1893. Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Core Ultra 9 285K offers S-grade capability for Productivity. It ranks #18 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 1893. Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Core Ultra 9 285K offers B-grade capability for Performance per Watt. It ranks #40 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 1893. Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
FAQ
Why does Relative Value change when I choose another scenario?
Each scenario changes the weights applied to capability, price and the other published factors. The hardware facts stay fixed, but the value question changes, so its score and rank can change too.
Why can Amazon appear without a tracked price?
Amazon is shown as a discovery link when we do not have a permitted verified price snapshot. It is excluded from price comparisons, rankings and Relative Value until a compliant tracked price exists.
Useful links & sources
offer frame 2026-10-10–2026-10-17 · formula cpu-value-v1.4 · facts facts-2026-10-17 · Relative Value is an estimate from our current dataset, the selected weights and dated market prices — not an official product rating and not a price forecast. Target prices are calculation thresholds, not predictions. Methodology We are not a shop. Affiliate links may earn us a commission; they never change the calculations or the ranking.