Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Specifications Reference: 24 Cores, LGA1851, DDR5, PCIe, NPU, and Power

Intel lists the Core Ultra 9 285K in the Core Ultra Processors (Series 2) family, formerly code-named Arrow Lake. Its CPU topology is 24 cores split into 8 Performance-cores and 16 Efficient-cores, with 24 total threads. The thread count therefore matches the core count rather than doubling it: this topology does not add a second logical thread to each P-core.

Those counts are architectural specifications, not Core Tech Tips benchmark measurements. A 24-core label does not by itself establish gaming performance, application performance, efficiency, or a ranking against another processor; software scheduling, workload behavior, memory, power limits and the rest of the platform still matter.

Intel specifies a maximum turbo frequency of 5.7 GHz, with Thermal Velocity Boost also listed at 5.7 GHz and Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 frequency at 5.6 GHz. Intel lists a maximum P-core turbo frequency of 5.5 GHz and E-core turbo frequency of 4.6 GHz, with 3.7 GHz P-core and 3.2 GHz E-core base frequencies.

The processor has 36 MB of Intel Smart Cache and 40 MB of total L2 cache. Maximum turbo frequency is a capability under Intel’s frequency-control conditions, not a promise that every core sustains that clock in every workload. Clock and cache specifications should not be converted directly into a benchmark conclusion.

Intel lists FCLGA1851 as the supported socket for the Core Ultra 9 285K. That socket requirement is a real platform and mechanical compatibility boundary: an older LGA1700 motherboard is not made compatible merely because it is also an Intel desktop board. Motherboard chipset, firmware support, power delivery and cooler mounting support remain separate checks for a real build.

Intel specifies up to 256 GB of memory, DDR5 support up to 6400 MT/s, two memory channels and a maximum memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. Those are processor memory-controller specifications, not a guarantee that every DIMM kit, capacity, motherboard topology or overclocked profile will run at the maximum listed transfer rate.

Intel’s Core Ultra 200S platform documentation lists up to 20 CPU PCIe 5.0 lanes plus up to 4 CPU PCIe 4.0 lanes. The exact motherboard decides how those processor lanes and additional chipset connectivity are physically routed to graphics slots, M.2 sockets and other devices.

PCIe generation and lane count are interface capabilities, not standalone application-performance results. Before an upgrade, verify the board manual for slot wiring, lane sharing and storage topology rather than assuming every physical connector receives the processor’s maximum link configuration.

Intel lists integrated Intel Graphics on the 285K, including four Xe-cores, and the Core Ultra 200S platform includes a dedicated Intel AI Boost neural processing unit. Intel’s current boxed-desktop support table lists up to 36 total platform TOPS (Int8) for the 285K when the CPU, GPU and NPU accelerators are considered together.

TOPS is a peak AI-compute capability metric under a specified precision, not a general application benchmark. Whether software uses the NPU, integrated GPU, CPU AI instructions or a discrete accelerator depends on the application and software stack, so the presence of an NPU does not establish a universal speedup.

Intel specifies 125 W Processor Base Power and 250 W Maximum Turbo Power for the Core Ultra 9 285K. These are Intel processor power-limit specifications with defined platform meaning; neither number is a Core Tech Tips measurement of whole-system wall consumption.

They also are not interchangeable with a cooler heat-dissipation rating or a universal PSU requirement. Actual package power, temperatures, cooling behavior and system input power depend on workload, firmware power configuration, motherboard behavior, cooling and the other components in the system. Use the CPU Cooler Compatibility guide and PSU guidance for those separate build decisions.

Intel markets the 285K as an unlocked enthusiast desktop processor. That establishes supported tuning capability at the product level, but it does not establish how far a particular sample will overclock, what voltage it will require, or what temperatures and stability a specific motherboard and cooler will produce.

This reference therefore does not publish an inferred overclock, undervolt, temperature, efficiency or performance result. Those outcomes require controlled testing with a documented platform and workload rather than extrapolation from the product specification sheet.

For a build, the durable facts on this page help establish the CPU’s topology, socket, memory-controller capability, processor I/O, integrated accelerators and Intel power terminology. The normalized Core Tech Tips CPU catalog can provide structured catalog context, while dedicated compatibility guides cover motherboard, cooler and PSU decisions in more depth.

This page intentionally does not provide a current street price, availability claim, gaming or productivity ranking, review score, efficiency verdict, temperature expectation, BIOS-compatibility promise, memory-overclocking result or buying recommendation. Intel publishes its own performance comparisons, but vendor benchmark claims are not presented here as independent Core Tech Tips measurements.