Core Ultra 7 255U vs Xeon Phi 7290

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core Ultra 7 255U vs Xeon Phi 7290 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core Ultra 7 255U vs Xeon Phi 7290: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core Ultra 7 255U

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +34.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 14W instead of 245W, a 231W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (17,834 vs 17,839).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Phi 7290, which brings 72 cores / 288 threads.

Xeon Phi 7290

2016

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 72 cores / 288 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 255U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌1650% higher power demand at 245W vs 14W.
❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 255U moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 255U better than Xeon Phi 7290?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Phi 7290 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core Ultra 7 255U is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Phi 7290 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 72 cores and 288 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core Ultra 7 255U still makes the most sense overall. Core Ultra 7 255U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 34.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core Ultra 7 255U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2016) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 7 255U vs Xeon Phi 7290 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core Ultra 7 255U

The Core Ultra 7 255U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-U (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 14 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,834 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon Phi 7290

The Xeon Phi 7290 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Knights Landing (2016) architecture. It features 72 cores and 288 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 245 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 17,839 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 7 255U packs 12 cores / 14 threads, while the Xeon Phi 7290 offers 72 cores / 288 threads — the Xeon Phi 7290 has 60 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 255U versus 1.7 GHz on the Xeon Phi 7290 — a 101.4% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 255U (base: 3.8 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core Ultra 7 255U uses the Arrow Lake-U (2025) architecture (5 nm), while the Xeon Phi 7290 uses Knights Landing (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 7 255U scores 17,834 against the Xeon Phi 7290's 17,839 — a 0% lead for the Xeon Phi 7290. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Core Ultra 7 255U vs 0 kB (total) on the Xeon Phi 7290.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 255U	Xeon Phi 7290
Cores / Threads	12 / 14	72 / 288+500%
Boost Clock	5.2 GHz+206%	1.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+153%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB	0 kB (total)
L2 Cache	—	512 kB (per core)
Process	5 nm-64%	14 nm
Architecture	Arrow Lake-U (2025)	Knights Landing (2016)
PassMark	17,834	17,839

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 7 255U uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Phi 7290 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.