The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus, known as the "Arrow Lake Refresh," has once again made headlines with new leaks, showcasing a performance increase that is approximately 10% faster than its predecessor, the 285K model.
As of February 2, 2026, a recent test using Geekbench revealed that the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus achieved a remarkable score of 3535. This impressive benchmark was recorded at a clock speed of 5.7 GHz, indicating a significant boost in processing power.
This particular entry involved a system equipped with an ASUS ROG STRIX Z890-E GAMING WIFI motherboard, highlighting the upcoming flagship CPU from Intel. The configuration includes 64 GB of DDR5-6800 memory and features a 24-core architecture, which is split into two clusters—one with 8 performance cores and another with 16 efficiency cores. The maximum frequency noted during this test is set at 5.6 GHz.
When we compare these results to earlier leaks of the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus, which scored 3456 in single-core and 24610 in multi-core tests, this latest performance is about 2.3% faster for single-core tasks and around 2.0% quicker for multi-core operations. It’s worth noting that the previous test was conducted on a different system, specifically a Gigabyte Z890 AORUS TACHYON ICE, utilizing 48 GB of DDR5-8000 RAM under a Balanced power plan, making a direct comparison somewhat challenging.
In terms of overall ranking, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K currently holds scores of 3200 for single-core performance and 22560 for multi-core. Against these established metrics, the new 290K Plus results are approximately 10.5% higher in single-core performance and about 11.3% better in multi-core scenarios, showcasing its potential as a leader in desktop processing.
Additionally, it’s important to mention the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, which is set to launch alongside the 250K and 290K models. Preliminary Geekbench leaks suggest that this model will also utilize the same 24-core layout, albeit at lower clock speeds. The last recorded performance of the 270K Plus registered at 3235 for single-core and 21368 for multi-core on a different system, further emphasizing its alignment with the performance range of the 285K.
At this point, Intel has yet to officially announce any plans for an Arrow Lake "Plus" desktop refresh for the LGA-1851 socket, but the repeated emergence of 24-core configurations hints that enhancements in clock speeds and platform tuning may be the primary updates we can expect.
To give you a clearer picture, here’s a quick comparison of the specifications among the different models:
- Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus: 8 performance cores (P) + 16 efficiency cores (E), max turbo up to 5.8 GHz, base power of 125 W.
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K: Similar core setup, max turbo of 5.6 GHz, same base power.
- Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus: A slightly lower configuration with 8 P + 16 E, supporting maximum turbo frequencies of 5.5 GHz.
While performance leaps in technology are always exciting, they often spark debates within the tech community. Are these incremental improvements enough to justify upgrades for users? And how much longer can we expect this pace of advancement to continue? We’d love to hear your thoughts—do you agree with these assessments, or do you see it differently? Share your opinions in the comments!
