Intel Core Ultra 9 285K vs 14900K/KS: which is better?

Intel has bestowed upon us a brand new crop of CPUs (codenamed Arrow Lake) for the tail end of 2024, and perhaps the new LGA-1851 socket will allow them to out-perform the previous generation. More pins, more performance?

Today we’re comparing Intel’s newest and spiciest CPU, the Core Ultra 9 285K, against its predecessor, the Intel Core i9 14900K (and the 14900KS, seeing as the KS is basically the same as the K but with a higher boost clock). So, does the new flagship really justify an upgrade for those with the previous generation’s top performer? Let’s take a look. Specs first, obviously.

From this table, we can see a few interesting things. However, those looking for a total paradigm shift in performance may be disappointed, as the improvements appear to be incremental.

The first thing of note is the cache size. The L3 cache remains the same, but the total L2 cache has increased from 32MB to 40MB, representing a 25% boost. Cache is essentially like RAM but much faster since it’s located in the CPU package itself, allowing for quicker access. This increase is particularly useful for gaming, especially in games that have a lot of truly dynamic events going on. (Think destructible environments al a The Finals.)

We also see the Performance core base clock increase from 3.2GHz to 3.7GHz – a 13.5% improvement. The efficiency cores also see a bump with the 285K’s 3.2GHz being 33% faster than the 14900K/KS’s 2.4GHz.

Beyond this, the 285K's spec list is very similar to the 14900K/KS, with the same number of performance and efficiency cores, and an identical thread-count.

On paper, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is more powerful than the Core i9 14900K and KS, but the real-world difference isn't likely to blow your socks off.

It’s hard to directly compare prices, as the 14900K was released back in October of 2023, and has undergone several inevitable price cuts since. The 14900KS, released in March of 2024, has had less time to depreciate.

• Intel Core Ultra 9 285K launch price: $589
• Intel Core i9 14900K launch price: $589
• Intel Core i9 14900KS launch price: $699

We mentioned the clock speed and cache differences when we discussed the spec table, but there are a couple more information nuggets to consider. For those who like to keep their carbon footprint guilt low, you'll be pleased to discover that the Base TDP and Max TDP remain identical between the 14900K/KS and the 285K: 125W and 250W respectively.

It's worth noting here that the 33% increase in the efficiency core speed does not mean the Core Ultra 9 285K will improve your system’s performance by 33% compared to the 14900K/KS. It’s easy to see percentages like these and get overly excited, but this is very unlikely to be the case.

If your primary use for your PC is gaming and you’re comparing the top dogs from Intel in order to get the highest possible visual fidelity and the fastest possible frame rates, then the performance of the 285K compared to the 14900K/KS is likely to be underwhelming. Depending on the things like your GPU, RAM, and even your CPU Cooler, the performance difference may not become apparent at all, so your money might be better spent elsewhere.

If you’re someone who needs the absolute latest hardware and you’re committed to Team Blue, then yes. However, if you’re trying to strike a balance between performance and value, you might want to wait for a price reduction down the line.

If you’ve made up your mind and are set on upgrading to the Core Ultra 9 285K, you’ll be pleased to know that all current CORSAIR CPU coolers are compatible with the 285K, in addition to the rest of Intel’s new chips.