Intel Core Ultra 9 285K vs Apple M3 Ultra
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We compared two CPUs: the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K vs Apple M3 Ultra. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K features 24 cores and 24 threads with a maximum clock speed of 5.7 GHz, while the Apple M3 Ultra has 32 cores and 32 threads with a maximum clock speed of N/A. Let's see which CPU performs better in terms of benchmarks and specifications.
Why Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is better than Apple M3 Ultra
- Lower power consumption (125W vs 140 W)
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking
Why Apple M3 Ultra is better than Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 700% higher memory bandwidth (819 GB/s vs 102.4 GB/s)
- Released about 4 months later
- 33% more cores (32 cores vs 24 cores)
Performance Scores
Single-Core Score
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
100
Apple M3 Ultra
90
Multi-Core Score
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
100
Apple M3 Ultra
99
Total Score
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
100
Apple M3 Ultra
95
Geekbench 6
Single-Core
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K +6%
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
3,440
Apple M3 Ultra
3,233
Multi-Core
Apple M3 Ultra +20%
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
23,472
Apple M3 Ultra
28,195
| Single-Core | 3,440 | 3,233 |
| Multi-Core | 23,472 | 28,195 |
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
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Apple M3 Ultra
General Info
| Manufacturer | Intel | Apple |
| Launch Date | Q4 2024 | March 5, 2025 |
| Generation | 15th Gen Core Ultra | Apple M3 family |
| Codename | Arrow Lake-S | Apple M3 |
| Type | Desktop Processor | Desktop |
| Class | High-end | High-end |
| Unlocked Multiplier | Yes | No |
| Architecture | Lion Cove (P-cores) + Skymont (E-cores) | - |
| Lithography | TSMC N3B (3nm) | 3 nm |
CPU
| Total Cores | 24 | 32 |
| Total Threads | 24 | 32 |
| Performance Cores | 8 | 24 |
| Performance Threads | 8 | 24 |
| Efficient Cores | 16 | 8 |
| Efficient Threads | 16 | 8 |
| P-Core Base Frequency | 3.7 GHz | 4.05 GHz |
| P-Core Max Turbo Frequency | 5.7 GHz | - |
| E-Core Base Frequency | 3.2 GHz | 2.75 GHz |
| E-Core Max Turbo Frequency | 4.6 GHz | - |
| L1 Cache | 192 KB | 192KB (Per core) |
| L2 Cache | 40 MB | 64 MB (shared) |
| L3 Cache | 36 MB | - |
Memory
| Memory Type | DDR5-6400 | LPDDR5-6400 |
| Max Memory Size | 192 GB | 512 GB unified memory |
| Max Bandwidth | 102.4 GB/s | 819 GB/s |
| Memory Channels | 2 | 8 |
| ECC Support | Yes | No |
GPU
| Integrated GPU | Intel Graphics (Xe-LPG) | Apple M3 Ultra GPU (80-core) |
| GPU Base Frequency | 300 MHz | - |
| GPU Max Frequency | 2000 MHz | - |
| Max Resolution HDMI | 8K @ 60Hz (HDMI 2.1) | 8K @ 60Hz & 4K @ 240Hz |
| Max Resolution DP | 8K @ 60Hz (DP 2.1) | 8K @ 60 Hz & 4K @ 240Hz |
| 4K Support | Yes | Yes |
Power & I/O
| Socket | LGA1851 | Apple M-Socket |
| PCIe Version | PCIe 5.0 / 4.0 | - |
| PCIe Lanes | 24 | - |
| Base TDP (PL1) | 125W | 140 W |
| Max Turbo Power (PL2) | 250 W | - |
| Max Temperature | 105°C | 100 °C |
| Instruction Set | x86-64 | ARMv8 (64-bit) |