Ultra 9 285K vs Apple M2 Max
Aggregate performance score
Core Ultra 9 285K outperforms Apple M2 Max by a whopping 156% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Apple M2 Max and Core Ultra 9 285K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 391 | 53 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | no data | 74.28 |
| Market segment | Laptop | Desktop processor |
| Series | Apple M-Series | no data |
| Power efficiency | 20.02 | 32.43 |
| Architecture codename | no data | Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) |
| Release date | 17 January 2023 (1 year ago) | 24 October 2024 (less than a year ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | no data | $589 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
Apple M2 Max and Core Ultra 9 285K basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.
| Physical cores | 12 (Dodeca-Core) | 24 (Tetracosa-Core) |
| Threads | 12 | 24 |
| Base clock speed | 2.424 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 3.7 GHz | 5.7 GHz |
| Bus rate | no data | 250 MHz |
| L1 cache | 3.3 MB | 112 KB (per core) |
| L2 cache | 36 MB | 3 MB (per core) |
| L3 cache | 48 MB | 36 MB (shared) |
| Chip lithography | 5 nm | 3 nm |
| Die size | no data | 243 mm2 |
| Number of transistors | 67000 Million | 17,800 million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Unlocked multiplier | - | + |
Compatibility
Information on Apple M2 Max and Core Ultra 9 285K compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.
| Number of CPUs in a configuration | no data | 1 |
| Socket | no data | 1851 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 79 Watt | 125 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Apple M2 Max and Core Ultra 9 285K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| AES-NI | - | + |
| AVX | - | + |
| vPro | no data | + |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | no data | + |
| TSX | - | + |
Security technologies
Apple M2 Max and Core Ultra 9 285K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| TXT | no data | + |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Apple M2 Max and Core Ultra 9 285K are enumerated here.
| VT-d | no data | + |
| VT-x | no data | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Apple M2 Max and Core Ultra 9 285K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | no data | DDR5 Depends on motherboard |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | Apple M2 Max 38-Core GPU | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Apple M2 Max and Core Ultra 9 285K.
| PCIe version | no data | 5.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | no data | 20 |
Synthetic benchmark performance
Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.
Combined synthetic benchmark score
This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.
Passmark
Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.
Geekbench 5.5 Multi-Core
Geekbench 5.5 Single-Core
WebXPRT 3
CrossMark Overall
WebXPRT 4 Overall
Geekbench 6.3 Multi-Core
Geekbench 6.3 Single-Core
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 16.80 | 43.06 |
| Recency | 17 January 2023 | 24 October 2024 |
| Physical cores | 12 | 24 |
| Threads | 12 | 24 |
| Chip lithography | 5 nm | 3 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 79 Watt | 125 Watt |
Apple M2 Max has 58.2% lower power consumption.
Ultra 9 285K, on the other hand, has a 156.3% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads, and a 66.7% more advanced lithography process.
The Core Ultra 9 285K is our recommended choice as it beats the Apple M2 Max in performance tests.
Be aware that Apple M2 Max is a notebook processor while Core Ultra 9 285K is a desktop one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M2 Max and Core Ultra 9 285K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
Similar processor comparisons
We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.
