Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus: Arrow Lake Refresh Delivers Notable Performance Gains
Intel’s upcoming “Arrow Lake Refresh” desktop CPUs are generating significant anticipation, with the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus recently making headlines after appearing in a new Geekbench benchmark. This sighting provides further confirmation that the Arrow Lake Refresh series will deliver substantial performance improvements over previous generations.
Benchmark Results Highlight Impressive Performance
The latest Geekbench test featured the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus paired with an ASUS ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming Wi-Fi motherboard and 64 GB of DDR5-6800 memory. The processor achieved a single-core score of 3,535 and a multicore score of 25,106. When compared to the Core Ultra 9 285K, which typically scores around 3,200 in single-core and 22,560 in multicore tests, the 290K Plus demonstrates improvements of approximately 10.5% and 11.3%, respectively.
These results position the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus at the top of Intel’s consumer CPU rankings in the Geekbench database. Notably, an earlier leak using different hardware showed slightly lower scores, indicating that the latest results may benefit from improved system optimization rather than just faster memory speeds.
Technical Specifications and Enhancements
The Core Ultra 9 290K Plus maintains the same 24-core configuration as its predecessor, featuring 8 performance cores (P-Cores) and 16 efficiency cores (E-Cores). Power limits remain unchanged, with a PL1 of 125 W and PL2 of 250 W. The performance gains are attributed to increased clock speeds: rumors suggest the efficiency cores now boost up to 4.8 GHz (a 200 MHz increase), while the performance cores receive a 100 MHz boost on both turbo and thermal velocity boost. During benchmarking, the chip was recorded running at 5.7 GHz.
Intel has officially confirmed the Arrow Lake Refresh series is on the way, though specific model details and release dates have not been announced. Industry leaks point to a potential launch in March or April. Importantly, these new CPUs will utilize the existing LGA 1851 socket, ensuring compatibility as drop-in upgrades for current Z890 motherboards.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect
While these early benchmark results are promising, it’s important to note that pre-release numbers may not fully represent final retail performance. Comprehensive third-party reviews and real-world gaming benchmarks will provide a clearer picture once the CPUs are officially released.
The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and the broader Arrow Lake Refresh lineup are shaping up to be significant upgrades for desktop enthusiasts, offering higher clock speeds and improved efficiency within familiar hardware platforms.
