Intel Core Ultra 9 185H socket: BGA 2049
The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H uses BGA 2049, a soldered BGA for Meteor Lake mobile processors with DDR5 or LPDDR5X and PCIe Gen4. The 16-core chip at 45 W with Intel Arc graphics cannot be replaced.
- Socket
- BGA 2049
- Launched
- December 14, 2023
- Cores and threads
- 16 and 22
- Base power
- 45 W
- Codename
- Meteor Lake
- Segment
- Mobile (soldered)
- Family
- Intel Core Ultra 9
- Clocks
- 2.3 / 5.1 GHz
Intel Core Ultra 9 185H specifications
| Cores | 16 (6 Performance-cores plus 8 Efficient-cores plus 2 low-power E-cores) |
|---|---|
| Threads | 22 |
| Core architecture | Redwood Cove P-cores with Crestmont E-cores (Meteor Lake) |
| P-core clocks | 2.3 GHz base, up to 5.1 GHz turbo |
| E-core clocks | 1.8 GHz base, up to 3.8 GHz turbo |
| Low-power E-core clocks | 1.0 GHz base, up to 2.5 GHz turbo |
| Cache | 24 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 45 W |
| Maximum turbo power | 115 W |
| Manufacturing process | Intel 4 |
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 or LPDDR5-7467, up to 64 GB LPDDR5 or 96 GB DDR5 |
| PCI Express | PCIe Gen5 with 8 lanes plus Gen4 lanes from the CPU, plus Thunderbolt 4 |
| Integrated graphics | Intel Arc Graphics, 8 Xe-cores, up to 2.35 GHz, plus AI Boost NPU |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| Package | BGA 2049 soldered |
| Cooler in the box | None (laptop cooling) |
Motherboard compatibility
Intel Core Ultra 9 185H needs a motherboard with a BGA 2049 socket. Chipset by chipset data for this codename is not recorded yet. See the BGA 2049 chipset list and the board maker's CPU support list.
BGA 2049 at a glance
| Type | BGA, 2,049 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | 50 × 25 mm |
| Introduced | January 2025 |
| Memory | LPDDR5X up to 8400 MT/s or DDR5 up to 6400 MT/s, two channels, up to 128 GB |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
What the Core Ultra 9 185H is
The Core Ultra 9 185H tops Meteor Lake mobile with 16 cores and the highest clocks in the 100 series from December 14, 2023. Six Redwood Cove Performance-cores with hyperthreading plus 8 Crestmont Efficient-cores and 2 low-power island E-cores give 16 cores and 22 threads, with P-cores at 2.3 GHz base and up to 5.1 GHz turbo. The package carries 24 MB of Smart Cache and an AI Boost NPU. Base power is 45 W with 115 W turbo for large thin bodies with strong cooling.
Intel Arc Graphics with 8 Xe-cores to 2.35 GHz lead Meteor Lake graphics for creation and light play. Higher base clocks across P-cores, E-cores and low-power cores lift sustained work against 28 W H parts. Memory reaches DDR5-5600 or LPDDR5x-7467 for bandwidth that feeds the full GPU well. PCIe Gen5 lanes wire fast NVMe plus Thunderbolt 4 docks.
Flagship thin buyers land here for peak Meteor Lake clocks before moving to HX workstation laptops. The 45 W base needs larger vapour cooling than 28 W H bodies. Owners who need more cores step outside Meteor Lake entirely. The How to find your CPU socket type guide helps confirm BGA 2049 fit.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The 185H solders to BGA 2049 on flagship thin boards with no socketed path. Board makers set memory type and 115 W-capable power delivery with stronger VRMs than 28 W designs. BGA 2049 does not cross to LGA 1851 desktop boards. Maker pages list the BGA package as the fit reference.
Platform IO comes from SoC tiles plus board wiring, with NVMe Gen5, wireless and display outputs from the design. Factory firmware carries Meteor Lake support, so buyers weigh cooling class and power delivery.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
DDR5-5600 SODIMM or LPDDR5x-7467 soldered memory feeds CPU, Arc graphics and NPU together. Capacity reaches 64 GB on LPDDR5 or 96 GB on DDR5 designs. Dual channel doubles graphics bandwidth.
PCIe Gen5 with 8 CPU lanes plus Gen4 lanes wire NVMe and Thunderbolt controllers. Cooling needs 115 W-capable vapour designs with strong VRMs for sustained 5.1 GHz residency.
Upgrade paths
No CPU change is possible on soldered BGA 2049. SODIMM and NVMe swaps move where slots exist, while soldered LPDDR5X stays fixed. Thunderbolt docks add displays.
The 185H already tops Meteor Lake mobile, so the next step is HX workstation silicon or Arrow Lake-H on BGA 2049 where boards support it. For 185H owners the value order is dual channel memory, then SSD, then a platform move.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Core Ultra 9 185H use?
BGA 2049 as a soldered BGA for Meteor Lake mobile processors. It cannot be removed or upgraded.
How many cores does the 185H have?
16 cores and 22 threads: 6 P-cores plus 8 E-cores plus 2 low-power E-cores, with 24 MB cache and a 45 W base power.
What graphics does the 185H include?
Intel Arc Graphics with 8 Xe-cores to 2.35 GHz plus an AI Boost NPU.
What power does the 185H need?
45 W base with 115 W turbo, which needs 115 W-capable power delivery and cooling from the notebook design.
Sources and verification
- Intel Core Ultra 9 185H specifications (Intel ARK)
- Intel Core Ultra Meteor Lake processor lineup overview (TechPowerUp)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .