AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX vs Intel Core 9 273PE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear split between the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX and the Intel Core 9 273PE across thirteen direct benchmark comparisons. The AMD part takes ten wins, while the Intel part claims three, though the magnitude of those wins varies widely.

The most decisive Intel victory comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Core 9 273PE scores 4417 against the Ryzen 9 7940HX’s 1807, a delta of 59.1 percent. That is a dominant margin in a single-threaded workload, and it aligns with the Intel part’s higher boost clock of 5.70 GHz versus 5.20 GHz. Intel also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 31288 versus 29400, a 6 percent advantage. The third Intel win is in PassMark physics, where it posts 3120 against 2297, a 26.4 percent gap.

The AMD side is characterized by large wins in several PassMark sub-tests. Data encryption shows the biggest percentage gap: the Ryzen 9 7940HX scores 41974 versus 22719, a 84.8 percent lead. Extended instructions is even larger in raw percentage terms, with AMD at 51029 against Intel’s 24630, a 107.2 percent difference. Data compression also heavily favors AMD, 693741 versus 405885, a 70.9 percent margin. Random string sorting goes to AMD by 81.3 percent, 81775 versus 45098. Integer math shows AMD ahead by 45.5 percent, 202883 versus 139410. Multi-thread performance in PassMark favors AMD by 44.5 percent, 53204 versus 36810. Prime number finding gives AMD a 34.5 percent edge, 273 versus 203. Floating-point math is closer, with AMD at 121383 versus 107884, a 12.5 percent lead. The single-thread PassMark result slightly favors AMD, 3942 versus 3650, an 8 percent margin.

These results indicate that the Intel processor excels in lightly threaded workloads and in the specific Cinebench render tests, while the AMD processor dominates in encryption, compression, sorting, and math-heavy integer workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design schools. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX uses the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Dragon Range, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 9 273PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel’s own foundry. The process node difference is significant: 5 nm versus 10 nm, which typically allows for higher transistor density and lower power draw per transistor on the AMD side.

The AMD part integrates 13,140 million transistors across a die size of 2x 71 mm². The Intel part has no listed transistor count or die size in the database. The core configurations differ as well: the Ryzen 9 7940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads. That gives the AMD part a 33 percent core advantage and a matching thread advantage.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The AMD part provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel part provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. So Intel gives each core more L1 and L2, while AMD offers substantially more L3 overall (64 MB versus 36 MB).

Memory support differs. The AMD part supports DDR5 only, dual-channel, with a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s and no ECC. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel, with a higher listed memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s and ECC support enabled. The Intel part also uses a different socket, Intel Socket 1700, versus AMD Socket FL1 for the Ryzen 9 7940HX.

PCIe lanes also differ: the AMD part lists Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part lists Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are present on both, with AMD using Radeon 610M and Intel using UHD Graphics 730. The market segment differs as well: the AMD part is listed as Mobile, the Intel part as Desktop. The Intel part has a locked multiplier, while the AMD part is multiplier-unlocked.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark data, the Intel Core 9 273PE wins in single-core performance, as shown by the 59.1 percent lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and the 26.4 percent lead in PassMark physics. It also wins in multi-core Cinebench R23, though by a smaller 6 percent margin. That suggests Intel holds an advantage in rendering workloads that scale well across cores but also benefit from high single-core speed, such as the Cinebench engine.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX wins in almost every other measured category. Its largest margins come in extended instructions (107.2 percent), data encryption (84.8 percent), random string sorting (81.3 percent), and data compression (70.9 percent). These are workloads that rely on large caches, high core counts, and efficient instruction handling. The AMD part also wins integer math by 45.5 percent, multi-thread PassMark by 44.5 percent, prime number finding by 34.5 percent, and floating-point math by 12.5 percent. Even in single-thread PassMark, the AMD part edges ahead by 8 percent, which may reflect differences in how that test exercises the core versus the Cinebench single-core test.

For users running encryption, compression, sorting, or math-heavy code, the AMD part is clearly stronger. For users running Cinebench-style renders, the Intel part leads. For general single-threaded responsiveness, the Intel part has a strong showing in Cinebench R23 single-core, but the PassMark single-thread result complicates the picture, since AMD leads there.

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two parts differ in the database.

| Field | AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX | Intel Core 9 273PE |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 16 | 12 |

| Threads | 32 | 24 |

| Base clock | 2.40 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.70 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Not listed |

| Codename | Dragon Range | Bartlett Lake |

| Process node | 5 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 13,140 million | Not listed |

| Die size | 2x 71 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 cache | 64 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 1 MB per core | 2 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 64 MB | 36 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe lanes | Gen 5, 28 lanes | Gen 5, 16 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 610M | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release date | 2024-01-16 | 2026-03-08 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $549 |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part number | 100-000001486 | SA4QD |

The AMD part uses a smaller process node, more cores, more threads, more L3 cache, more PCIe lanes, and a lower TDP. The Intel part has higher base and boost clocks, more L1 and L2 per core, dual memory support including DDR4, ECC support, higher memory bandwidth, and a later release date.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE boosts to 5.70 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX boosts to 5.20 GHz.

Q: Which processor performs better in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE scores 31288 versus 29400 for the AMD part, a 6 percent advantage.

Q: Which processor performs better in data encryption?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX scores 41974 versus 22719 for the Intel part, a 84.8 percent advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core 9 273PE support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel part lists ECC memory support as true. The AMD part lists ECC as false.

Q: Which processor uses a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX uses a 5 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 9 273PE uses a 10 nm process at Intel.

The Verdict

The data supports two distinct profiles. The Intel Core 9 273PE is the stronger choice for workloads that emphasize single-core speed and Cinebench-style rendering, given its 59.1 percent win in Cinebench R23 single-core and 6 percent win in multi-core. It also offers ECC memory support, DDR4 compatibility, and a higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, which may matter for specific desktop use cases. Its higher boost clock of 5.70 GHz aligns with its single-core dominance.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is the stronger choice for multi-threaded, data-intensive workloads. It wins 10 of 13 head-to-head comparisons, with particularly large margins in extended instructions, encryption, compression, sorting, and integer math. Its 16 cores, 32 threads, and 64 MB of L3 cache likely contribute to these results. It also runs at a lower TDP of 55 W versus 65 W, uses a smaller 5 nm process, and offers 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes versus 16. The PassMark single-thread result, where AMD leads by 8 percent, adds nuance: the Intel part is not universally faster in single-threaded tests.

For a desktop user prioritizing render performance and single-core responsiveness, the Intel Core 9 273PE is the better match. For a user running encryption, compression, sorting, or heavy math workloads, the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX delivers substantially higher scores in the recorded database. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $549, while the AMD part has no listed launch MSRP.