Apple M3 Ultra vs Core Ultra 9 285K: specs and benchmark comparison
BIntel · Arrow Lake
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- 24 cores / 24 threads
- up to 5.7 GHz
- LGA1851
October 24, 2024 · $589 at launch
Short verdict
Apple M3 Ultra leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
Compare with AIMulti-thread performance
A +27.6%Apple M3 Ultra leads in this scenario (up to 27.6% in comparable benchmarks).
No comparable benchmarks yet: single-thread performance, gaming (cpu-bound scenarios), power efficiency.
Advantages
Only measured and rated values: a noticeable benchmark gap and specs where more is better.
Where Apple M3 Ultra is better2
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0 27.6% faster716 samples/min vs 561 samples/min
Max memory capacity 256 GB more512 GB vs 256 GB
Where Core Ultra 9 285K is better0
No advantages found in our data.
Benchmarks
Results are compared within one benchmark, one version and the same conditions.
- A ahead by 27.6%
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0
CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom · samples/min, higher is better
Apple M3 Ultra716.4 samples/minCore Ultra 9 285K561.4 samples/minPosition among tested models (89)
B · 561A · 7160200400600800Each dot is one model’s median in this benchmark. The scale starts at zero, samples/min. Apple M3 Ultra is ahead by 27.6% in this benchmark.
About the measurement and source
- A · Apple M3 Ultra
716.4 samples/min · community measurement, sample 27 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 27 submissions (0 outliers excluded), interquartile range 709.3–806.66; submissions 2025-07-22 to 2026-03-05; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
- B · Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
561.4 samples/min · community measurement, sample 236 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 236 submissions (44 outliers excluded), interquartile range 545.02–579.08; submissions 2025-07-17 to 2026-10-22; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
difference = |A − B| ÷ the smaller value × 100%. The 5% noticeable threshold is a UX heuristic, not statistical significance.
Cycles render in Blender Benchmark. Median of the sum of samples per minute over three scenes after removing outliers.
Reference results (9)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 809.1 | 612 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 679 | 574.7 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 698.2 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 4.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 695.3 | 543.8 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 806.1 | 557.2 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 696.1 | 525.3 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 698.3 | 607.8 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 558.1 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 4.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 393.6 | no pair |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Specifications
| Specification | A · Apple M3 Ultra | B · Core Ultra 9 285K | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores and clocks | |||
| CoresCores of different types may differ in performance. | no data | 24 (8P + 16E) | no data for A |
| Threads | no data | 24 | no data for A |
| Base clockFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown. | no data | 3.7 GHz | no data for A |
| Max clock (Boost/Turbo) | no data | 5.7 GHz | no data for A |
| Cache | |||
| L2 cache | no data | 40 MB | no data for A |
| L3 cache | no data | 36 MB | no data for A |
| Platform | |||
| Socket | no data | LGA1851 | no data for A |
| Process node | 3 nm | TSMC N3B | differs |
| Memory and interfaces | |||
| Memory type | Unified memory | DDR5 | differs |
| Memory channels | no data | 2 | no data for A |
| Official memory speedFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown. | no data | 6,400 MT/s | no data for A |
| Max memory capacity | 512 GB | 256 GB | A: 256 GB more |
| PCI Express | no data | PCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 24 lanes | no data for A |
| Integrated graphics | Apple M3 Ultra (60 / 80-core GPU) | Intel Graphics (4 Xe cores) | differs |
| Power | |||
| Processor Base Power (Intel) | no data | 125 W | no data for A |
| Maximum Turbo Power (Intel) | no data | 250 W | no data for A |
Cores and clocks
Cores
Ano data
B24 (8P + 16E)
no data for ACores of different types may differ in performance.
Threads
Ano data
B24
no data for ABase clock
Ano data
B3.7 GHz
no data for AFor hybrid Intel CPUs, the P-core base clock is shown.
Max clock (Boost/Turbo)
Ano data
B5.7 GHz
no data for A
Cache
L2 cache
Ano data
B40 MB
no data for AL3 cache
Ano data
B36 MB
no data for A
Platform
Socket
Ano data
BLGA1851
no data for AProcess node
A3 nm
BTSMC N3B
differs
Memory and interfaces
Memory type
AUnified memory
BDDR5
differsMemory channels
Ano data
B2
no data for AOfficial memory speed
Ano data
B6,400 MT/s
no data for AFor controllers that support two generations, the speed for the newer memory type is shown.
Max memory capacity
A512 GB
B256 GB
A: 256 GB morePCI Express
Ano data
BPCIe 5.0 and 4.0, 24 lanes
no data for AIntegrated graphics
AApple M3 Ultra (60 / 80-core GPU)
BIntel Graphics (4 Xe cores)
differs
Power
Processor Base Power (Intel)
Ano data
B125 W
no data for AMaximum Turbo Power (Intel)
Ano data
B250 W
no data for A
“More” does not always mean “better”: higher power draw or size is a system requirement, not an advantage (such bars are dimmed).
Compare with AI
An AI model reviews the specs and benchmarks of this pair and gives a plain-language verdict on who each model suits.
Questions and answers
Do these CPUs have integrated graphics?
Apple M3 Ultra: Apple M3 Ultra (60 / 80-core GPU). Intel Core Ultra 9 285K: Intel Graphics (4 Xe cores).
Which is faster: Apple M3 Ultra or Intel Core Ultra 9 285K?
Apple M3 Ultra leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
See also
Data sources (4)
- Apple — specifications of Apple M3 Ultrachecked November 14, 2026
- Intel — specifications of Intel Core Ultra 9 285Kchecked November 7, 2026
- Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation) — benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.1.0checked November 14, 2026
- Wikipedia (English) — release date and launch pricechecked November 14, 2026
How we compare: methodology. Where the data comes from: sources.