The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K has been highly anticipated, but its performance in gaming tests has been underwhelming. Here’s a closer look at what went wrong.

CPU Demands in Modern Gaming

Today's games place extreme demands on CPUs, making it clear that mainstream processors can no longer consistently deliver frame rates over 60FPS across all titles. The need for enhanced CPU performance is more pressing than ever, but the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K fails to meet these expectations.

Performance in Gaming Tests

In various benchmarks, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K has shown disappointing results. In some cases, it even lags behind the older Intel Core i9-12900K. This is particularly concerning given the advancements in technology and the higher expectations from newer processors.

Specific Game Performance

  • Cyberpunk 2077: The processor experienced significant performance issues, with frame rates dropping dramatically in certain scenarios.
  • Starfield: Benchmarks revealed that the Core Ultra 9 285K struggled to maintain smooth performance.
  • Dragon's Dogma 2: Similar to other games, the processor failed to deliver the expected gaming experience.
  • Baldur's Gate 3: The performance was subpar, indicating that the CPU is not optimized for demanding games.
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020: Even in less demanding games, the Core Ultra 9 285K did not perform as well as expected.
  • F1 2024 and Forza Horizon 5: These games also highlighted the processor's inability to handle high CPU demands.

Productivity vs. Gaming

While the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K excels in productivity tasks, its gaming performance is a different story. This dichotomy suggests that the processor is better suited for users who prioritize tasks like video editing, coding, and other non-gaming applications.

Conclusion

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K's failure to deliver in gaming tests is a significant letdown. Despite its strong performance in productivity, it falls short of meeting the high CPU demands of modern games. For gamers, this processor does not seem to be the best choice, especially when compared to its predecessors and competitors.

For a more detailed analysis, including power efficiency, memory scaling, and extreme mode testing, you can refer to the comprehensive review by Digital Foundry at Eurogamer.