Processors · Ranked #5 of 5 · Best for efficient productivity work

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

72
Mixed
Average of 7 professional reviews
0 of 7 recommend it · critics split
Where the 7 reviews landedRange 50–90
Score printed by the outlet Estimated from the verdict

Exact average 71.6 · 5 printed, 2 estimated · printed scores only: 76

Intel Core Ultra 9 285KImage: Intel

7 professional reviewers tested the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, and 0 recommend it. Most praised: speed. Most common complaint: price.

Reviewed by Windows Central, PCMag, Digital Trends and 4 more

The catch: Gaming performance is uneven and it needs a new platform.

Check price at Amazon

We earn a commission if you buy through these links. It never changes a score.

What 7 critics said

Highest score first · all converted to 0–100
  1. 90
    Windows CentralHands-on review · 2024

    Leads in productivity and is very efficient, but gaming is unremarkable and AMD's X3D chips are better for gamers.

    Read Windows Central review
  2. 80
    PCMagHands-on review · 2024

    Lower power use and good platform upgrades, but performance swings between excellent and weak depending on the task.

    Read PCMag review
  3. 70
    Digital TrendsHands-on review · 2024

    A radically different, highly efficient chip that impresses technically but disappoints for gaming and delivers uneven productivity results.

    Read Digital Trends review
  4. 70
    TechRadarHands-on review · 2024

    Capable and somewhat more efficient chips, but they lack a standout reason to buy and are worse for gaming than their predecessors.

    Read TechRadar review
  5. 70
    Club386Hands-on review · 2024

    A redesigned chip that is more efficient but performs about the same as the previous generation.

    Read Club386 review
  6. 71est.
    NotebookcheckNo printed score · Hands-on review

    Intel's flagship brings real efficiency gains and productivity performance on par with its predecessor, but gaming is disappointing.

    Read Notebookcheck review
  7. 50est.
    Gamers NexusNo printed score · Video review · 2024

    The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K shows improved power efficiency compared to its predecessors, but its high price and underwhelming performance gains in gaming make it difficult to recommend over existing alternatives.

    Read Gamers Nexus review

"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates

Watch a video review

From YouTube channels we vetted by hand. Videos paid for by the brand are never listed.

What critics praise most

Speed3 of 7

What critics dislike most

Price3 of 7

Other processors critics rate highly

Common questions

Is the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K worth it?

Critics are divided: 0 of 7 recommend it. Gaming performance is uneven and it needs a new platform.

Do critics agree about the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K?

Critics split: scores range from 50 (Gamers Nexus) to 90 (Windows Central), a spread of 40 points across 7 reviews. Reviewers disagree, so read the individual reviews before buying.

What do critics dislike about the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K?

Price (3 of 7 reviews).

What is the best alternative to the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K?

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D (critic score 88), best overall.