This is the final product Intel has developed resulting in an energy-efficient and high-performance processor for laptops known as the Intel Core Ultra Gen 2 incorporated in the ASUS Zenbook S14(Core Ultra 9 288V). After refining this particular chip over the years, this chip is an exemplification of the improved mobile processing power from Intel.
Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is a part of the Intel Series 2 Ultra processors. It was previously referred to as the “Lunar Lake” series for mobile use particularly for ultra-thin notebooks and ultrabooks such as the ASUS Zenbook S14.
- Cores and Threads
The Core Ultra 9 288V is an 8-core processor, split between 4 performance cores (P-cores) and 4 efficient cores (E-cores):- P-cores deliver high performance for demanding tasks like gaming, content creation, or multitasking.
- E-cores focus on energy efficiency, helping maintain excellent battery life for lighter workloads such as web browsing or streaming.
- This combination ensures the laptop can handle a wide range of applications while preserving battery life for daily tasks.
- Clock Speeds and Cache
The chip has been designed to run at a Max Turbo Frequency of 5.1 GHz. It is ideal for delivering peak performance when needed due to the maximizing of the L3 cache. The E-cores, optimized for efficiency, have a maximum turbo frequency of 3. 7 GHz.- Base power is set at 30W, with a maximum turbo power of 37W. It made Intel’s Core Ultra 9 288V capable of handling intensive tasks without consuming excessive energy.
- The 12MB Intel® Smart Cache ensures fast data retrieval, reducing latency and improving multitasking.
- Energy Efficiency
According to Intel, its Core Ultra 9 288V has set a record for being one of the most energy-efficient x86 processors to be designed. It is especially proficient in low-power circumstances. It will be especially appreciated by mobile users who focus on battery use. Thanks to the 17W to 37W power range, the processor performs consistently even when it comes to low power.
Performance Comparison
Intel’s new chipset showcases impressive performance, but how does it fare against its competitors and previous generations?
- Multi-Core and Single-Core Performance
Preliminary real-world tests reveal that it is competitive in single and multi-threaded applications at low power levels for the Core Ultra 9 288V. It is good enough that M3 chips from Apple are competitive even in single-core performance. The processor also has a comparison to the new chips via AMD. The Core Ultra 9 performs better than the latest AMD chips at low power levels but at high wattage. It loses to AMD, especially if it comes to high-performance leveled tasks.
GPU Performance
Intel has made significant strides in integrated GPU technology with this generation. The Core Ultra 9 288V is equipped with the Intel Arc 140V GPU, boasting 8 Xe-cores and a dynamic frequency of 2.05 GHz.
- Gaming Performance: Intel’s early benchmarks show that the Arc 140V outperforms even AMD’s latest integrated GPUs. It excels in medium-graphic settings, making it ideal for light gaming on ultra-thin laptops. The GPU’s performance at medium settings could be Intel’s strongest selling point, making it possible to game on a thin and light laptop like the ASUS Zenbook S14 without compromising too much on visual fidelity.
- Ray Tracing is available, making it excellent in some of the games and visual undertakings. While this feature may not be one of the strongest selling points of thin laptops it clearly shows that Intel aims to maintain the balance between integrated and dedicated graphics solutions.
- Battery Life: The result is noticeable, the higher efficiency of the Core Ultra 9 288V means longer battery life which gets even better with the addition of a 72Wh battery in the ASUS Zenbook S14. Preliminary results show that users can look forward to dramatically longer battery life than before in different Intel generations and competitors in the AMD world. Intel’s slides feature terms such as ‘monster battery gains’, and while that is best taken with a pinch of salt until third-party tests come in, early testing supports the notion that battery life could be one of the areas that Intel shines in.
Other Features of the Intel Core Ultra 9
- AI Capabilities and NPU
The Core Ultra 9 288V includes Intel AI Boost, a neural processing unit (NPU) designed to handle AI-driven tasks with a peak performance of 48 TOPS (Int8). While Intel and other chip manufacturers heavily market AI features, the current landscape lacks widespread software that fully utilizes these capabilities. - Media and Display Support
The GPU supports 8K resolution at 60Hz via DisplayPort 2.1 and 4K resolution via HDMI 2.1, making it suitable for content creators who need high-resolution output. The chipset also supports advanced video codecs like AV1, H.265, and H.264, ensuring smooth playback and encoding for media professionals. - Memory and Expansion
The chip supports up to 32 GB of LPDDR5X memory with speeds of up to 8533 MT/s, ensuring that even memory-intensive tasks run smoothly. Expansion options include Thunderbolt 4 and PCIe Gen 5, allowing for high-speed data transfer and future-proofing the device for modern connectivity standards.
ASUS Zenbook S14 with Core Ultra 9
The ASUS Zenbook S14 is the perfect showcase for Intel’s Core Ultra 9 288V processor. This sleek, thin 14-inch device is designed to maximize the strengths of Intel’s latest chip. With a 120Hz OLED display, a 72 Wh battery, and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, it combines performance with portability. The ceramic polymer finish on the top panel and the geometric grill design add a touch of premium aesthetics to the laptop.
Despite being a thin and light device, the Zenbook S14 runs cool and quiet under most workloads, thanks to Intel’s efficient architecture. With its Arc 140V GPU and Ray Tracing capabilities, the Zenbook S14 also performs well in casual gaming scenarios, proving that integrated graphics are no longer a limiting factor in ultra-thin laptops.
Conclusion: A Promising Future for Intel
Core Ultra 9 288V is probably one of the biggest leaps or developments in the mobile computing solutions offered by Intel. Its energy efficiency, fair distribution of core performance, and powerful integrated GT620 GPU make it set a high benchmark for other thin and light laptops. Though the Core Ultra 9 288V is directly compared to Apple’s M3 and the newest models of AMD, the chip works best in low-power conditions which is a great benefit for users who need both high performance and battery endurance.
The ASUS Zenbook S14 is a perfect example of endearing the real-world benefits of this new chipset toward the users with a unique experience that encompasses power and style without compromising efficiency. While explaining the further developments of Intel’s mobile processors, the Core Ultra 9 288V outlines the potential of laptops’ future improvement.
