Intel’s latest offering, the Ultra 9, has created quite a buzz, so let’s take a dive into what makes this processor stand out—and where it falls short.
What’s Good About the Intel Ultra 9?
Intel’s Ultra 9 continues to be one of the best all-rounder CPUs in the market. Sure, some specialized processors outperform it in certain gaming benchmarks, and takes the lead in multi-core applications. However, if you’re someone who likes to try a new hobby every few months, whether it’s gaming, content creation, or something else entirely, the Ultra 9 is versatile enough to handle it all. It’s a great option if you need power for a variety of tasks.
On top of that, Intel has made significant improvements in power efficiency. The 13th and 14th generation processors were notorious for hitting high temperatures, often touching 99°C under load. But with the Ultra 9, any decent 360mm AIO cooler should have no trouble keeping temperatures under control. So, if you’re upgrading from an older Intel model, you’ll notice not only better performance but also a cooler, quieter experience
What’s Not So Great?
New Core Ultra parts are only marginally more performant out-of-box defaults than their 14th gen counterparts, though tuning is possible. It is possible for an enthusiast to squeeze signifcantly more performance-per-watt out of these CPUs than their prior-generation intel counterparts.
There is less variability in default power settings vs 14th gen motherboard, which is good.
However variability in other default settings across board vendors can lead to significant (multiple % points) benchmark result variation.
It is a tough competitive landscape for Intel; Intel’s Z890 platform generally has better features at a somewhat better price point, but AMD provides significant more overall value.
This design and approach for client CPUs is still absolutely the right move; I love the improvements I’m seeing in the LGA 1851 platform. I am certain this is the ointment for what ails intel, but currently there are a large number of flies in said ointment.
And the Ugly… The Price!
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room—the price. Intel’s Ultra 9 comes at a premium, and it’s clear that the company is hoping to recapture its dominance in the high-end CPU market. However, this price tag could be a tough pill to swallow, especially when you consider that it doesn’t offer groundbreaking performance improvements over the previous generation.
Intel has been facing tough competition, and while the Ultra 9 is certainly an impressive CPU, the high price could make it a hard sell for many users. In a market where cost-effectiveness is key, a more aggressive pricing strategy could have made Intel a clear winner, but with the Ultra 9’s price point, it might not be the slam dunk Intel was hoping for.
Is the Ultra 9 Worth It?
The Intel Ultra 9 is a fantastic all-rounder CPU. If you’re someone who values versatility and wants a processor that can handle gaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking, this processor is a great choice
However, if you’re already using Intel’s 13th or 14th Gen processors, the Ultra 9 doesn’t offer enough of a performance jump to justify an upgrade. The lack of significant performance improvements combined with its steep price tag makes it a tough sell for many users, especially considering Intel’s declining market share in recent years.
Ultimately, if Intel had priced the Ultra 9 more competitively, it could have been the clear winner in its class. But as it stands, the high cost might hold it back from reaching its full potential in the consumer market. If you’re considering an upgrade, let our experts guide you to the best fit.
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