What's Happening?
The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus CPU has been leaked, revealing a performance boost over its predecessor, the 285K. The new chip, part of the Core Ultra 200S Plus 'Arrow Lake Refresh' family, is expected
to maintain the same core and thread configuration but with enhanced clock speeds. Recent tests conducted on an ASUS ROG STRIX Z890-E Gaming WIFI motherboard with 64 GB of DDR5-6800 memory show the 290K Plus achieving a 10% improvement in single-thread and an 11% improvement in multi-core performance compared to the 285K. This marks a notable increase from previous gains of 7% and 9%, respectively. The 290K Plus also outperforms AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X3D by 4% in single-core and 13% in multi-core tasks.
Why It's Important?
The performance improvements of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus highlight the ongoing competition in the CPU market, particularly between Intel and AMD. These advancements are crucial for maintaining Intel's competitive edge, especially as consumers and businesses demand higher performance for gaming, content creation, and professional applications. The enhancements in the 290K Plus could influence purchasing decisions, potentially impacting market share and sales for both Intel and AMD. Additionally, the release of this chip may drive further innovation and development in the semiconductor industry, as companies strive to deliver more powerful and efficient processors.
What's Next?
As the launch of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus approaches, more details and leaks are expected to emerge. The chip's release will likely coincide with efforts to clear existing motherboard inventory before the introduction of Intel's next-generation Nova Lake-S platform. This upcoming platform will feature a new socket, 'LGA 1954,' and is anticipated to bring further advancements in CPU technology. The continued rivalry between Intel and AMD will likely spur additional innovations and competitive pricing strategies, benefiting consumers with more options and better performance.
