Intel Core Ultra 9 288V: Flagship “Lunar Lake” Processor Debuts on Geekbench

The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V, a flagship CPU from the Lunar Lake series, has made its debut on Geekbench, showcasing impressive performance metrics. This processor stands out with its unique configuration and advanced features, making it a significant addition to Intel’s lineup.

Key Features and Specifications

The Core Ultra 9 288V is the only Lunar Lake processor with a default PL1 (Power Limit 1) set to 30W, which is 13W higher than other SKUs in the Core Ultra 200V lineup. This higher power limit is set by Intel and can be adjusted by companies for their systems.

Unlike the Core Ultra 9 185H, the 288V does not come with discrete graphics. Instead, it leverages the Lion Cove P-Core and Skymont E-Core architectures, similar to the upcoming Arrow Lake series. These new CPU cores do not support hyperthreading, focusing instead on power efficiency, graphics, and memory handling.

Memory and Graphics

The Lunar Lake 17-30W packages include preinstalled memory, reducing the footprint for laptop designs but limiting upgradability. Users can choose between 32GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X-8533 memory. The flagship Core Ultra 9 288V features 32GB of memory and the full Xe2 graphics clocked at the highest speeds within the Lunar Lake series.

Performance Benchmarks

In Geekbench tests, the Core Ultra 9 288V scored between 2790 to 2901 points in single-core tests and 9596 to 11048 points in multi-core tests. These scores indicate strong single-core performance but slightly lower multi-core performance compared to some competitors.

Comparison with AMD Ryzen AI HX 370

The AMD Ryzen AI HX 370, tested with a TDP of 33W, shows higher multi-core performance but similar single-core performance compared to the Core Ultra 9 288V. This comparison highlights the efficiency and power of Intel’s new processor, especially in single-core tasks.

Upcoming Releases

Rumors suggest that Intel will launch its Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake series between Q3 and Q4 of this year, with Lunar Lake expected to arrive first. This release will further solidify Intel’s position in the high-performance CPU market.

Conclusion

The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is a powerful addition to the Lunar Lake series, offering impressive single-core performance and advanced features. Its debut on Geekbench provides a glimpse into its capabilities, setting the stage for its upcoming release.