PassMark software has highlighted a new entry in its CPU Mark single-threaded performance rankings. In a Tweet shared this weekend it embedded a chart showing Intel’s upcoming Core Ultra 9 285K processor (an Arrow Lake-S desktop part) is the new single-core leader in the eponymous benchmark. The firm admits that the tested sample “might be a pre-release engineering sample, but results are looking good.”
PassMark’s assessment seems reasonable, as the Core Ultra 9 285K confidently noses ahead of some of the best CPUs available to consumers, like the Intel Core i9-14900KS , and a host of Apple M3 variants. It is even further ahead of chips like the Core i9-13900K and AMD’s best-placed Ryzen 9 9950X . Expand the embedded Tweet to see the full chart.
New single thread CPU performance leader. #Intel Core Ultra 9 285K(note that this might be an pre-release engineering sample, but results are looking good) pic.twitter.com/yqLECdl9XE October 5, 2024
The above is great news in the single-core stakes for Intel 'team blue' fans, but multi-core results found on PassMark’s website aren’t as stellar. The upcoming Arrow Lake-S CPU has a score of 46,872 in PassMark’s multi-threaded tests. That’s a score that nestles snugly between the Core i9-13900 and the i7-13700K CPUs. For further context, the aforementioned 14900KS scores 62,502 in this benchmark. The new top-end desktop chip looks rather anemic if it intends to step into the Raptor Lake Refresh part’s shoes.
pic.twitter.com/L0VaFiWLLN October 6, 2024
In an interesting coincidence, Twitter’s momomo_us uncovered an HP Omen 35L gaming desktop listing this weekend (Tweet embedded above). According to the screenshot, it features the aforementioned Intel Core Ultra 9 285K at its heart. The listing confirms and highlights the CPU specs , and boasts that it offers up to 5.70 GHz turbo boost, 36MB of cache, and 24 cores with 24 threads. We assume that the dire PassMark multi-threaded result vs the 14900KS may be largely due to the thread deficit – with the Arrow Lake only having 24 threads, vs the Raptor Lake Refresh with its 24C/32T configuration.
Concerning the poor multi-threaded performance shown here, we also have to bear in mind that this is a sample of one, and it has been flagged as an engineering sample. Furthermore, there may be motherboard / BIOS plus tuning to be done – as well as other tweaks – before Arrow Lake systems are ready for prime time.
Arrow Lake-S isn’t a long way off, though. The new LGA 1851 processors and 800 series motherboards like top-end Z890 products should be with us later this month.
