AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Core 9 273PE Comparison

AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and Intel Core 9 273PE are both 12-core, 24-thread desktop processors, but the benchmark data separates them clearly. The AMD part wins 13 of the 15 shared tests, while the Intel part takes 2. The average benchmark score for the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is 57,498, placing it in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 9 273PE averages 49,845, sitting in the 90th percentile.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single-test margin belongs to the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X in PassMark extended instructions, where it scores 55,243 against Intel's 24,630, a 124.3% advantage. That result indicates a very large gap in workloads using advanced instruction sets.

PassMark find prime numbers shows a similar pattern. AMD scores 436, Intel scores 203, a 114.8% delta. This is a pure integer throughput test, and the AMD processor is more than twice as fast.

Data compression favors AMD heavily. The Ryzen 9 9900X records 683,579 in PassMark data compression, versus 405,885 for the Core 9 273PE, a 68.4% lead. Random string sorting follows, with AMD at 72,013 and Intel at 45,098, a 59.7% delta.

Cinebench R15 multicore shows AMD at 5,008 versus Intel at 3,153, a 58.8% win. This is the oldest Cinebench version in the database, and the margin suggests the AMD chip sustains multi-threaded performance well under that workload. PassMark multithread also goes to AMD, 54,643 versus 36,810, a 48.4% delta. Data encryption is 33,421 versus 22,719, a 47.1% advantage.

Integer math is 181,056 for AMD versus 139,410 for Intel, a 29.9% delta. PassMark single thread goes to AMD as well, 4,672 versus 3,650, a 28% margin. Floating point math is 120,083 versus 107,884, an 11.3% lead. PassMark physics is 3,381 versus 3,120, an 8.4% delta.

Cinebench R23 multicore is the closest multi-threaded result. AMD scores 32,172, Intel scores 31,288, a 2.8% margin. This shows that in a modern, heavily optimized render workload, the two processors are nearly equivalent.

The Intel Core 9 273PE wins both single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single core, Intel scores 4,417 versus AMD's 2,253, a 49% advantage. In Cinebench R15 single core, Intel scores 445 versus AMD's 353, a 20.7% lead. These are the only two tests the Intel part wins, but they are decisive in that category.

Where Each One Wins

AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins every multi-threaded test in the shared set. That includes Cinebench R15 and R23 multicore, plus all seven PassMark multi-threaded workloads: data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, find prime numbers, floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, and random string sorting. The data shows a broad, consistent advantage across integer-heavy, floating-point-heavy, and encryption workloads.

Intel Core 9 273PE wins exclusively in single-threaded rendering. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4,417 is nearly double the AMD score, and the R15 single-core score of 445 is also clearly ahead. For workloads that depend on one core's speed, such as lightly threaded CAD or legacy applications, the Intel part has a measurable edge.

The PassMark single-thread test, however, tells a different story. AMD wins that test with 4,672 versus 3,650, a 28% margin. This means the Intel advantage is specific to Cinebench's single-thread workload, not universal across all single-threaded tasks. The database shows Intel's single-core strength is real but concentrated in that specific benchmark family.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use completely different designs. AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is built on Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Granite Ridge, from the 9000 series. Intel Core 9 273PE is codenamed Bartlett Lake, from the Core 9 generation. The process nodes differ significantly: AMD uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, while Intel uses a 10 nm process from Intel's own foundry.

Both have 12 cores and 24 threads. Cache configurations differ in L2 and L3. AMD has 1 MB of L2 per core and 64 MB of L3 cache. Intel has 2 MB of L2 per core and 36 MB of shared L3. L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core. The larger L3 on AMD may contribute to its multi-threaded performance in cache-sensitive workloads, while Intel's larger L2 per core helps with per-core data locality.

Clock speeds are another differentiator. AMD has a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. Intel has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. The lower base clock on Intel is notable, but the higher boost clock gives it a peak single-thread speed advantage.

Power and thermal limits differ substantially. AMD has a TDP of 120 watts. Intel has a TDP of 65 watts. This makes the Intel part much lower power on paper, though the benchmark results show it still competes in multi-threaded Cinebench R23.

Socket and platform support diverge. AMD uses Socket AM5, Intel uses Socket 1700. Memory support differs as well: AMD supports DDR5 only, Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both are dual-channel with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory.

Integrated graphics are present on both. AMD uses Radeon Graphics, Intel uses UHD Graphics 730. PCIe lanes differ: AMD has 24 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), Intel has 16 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only). AMD also has an unlocked multiplier, while Intel's multiplier is locked.

AMD's transistor count is listed at 16,630 million, with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². Intel's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database. Release dates differ: AMD launched on 2024-08-14, Intel on 2026-03-08. AMD's launch MSRP is $499, Intel's is $549.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear multi-threaded winner: the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X. It leads in 13 of 15 shared benchmarks, including every PassMark multi-threaded test and both Cinebench multicore runs. The average benchmark score of 57,498 versus 49,845 confirms the overall performance gap. The AMD part also sits higher in the percentile ranking, 92nd versus 90th.

The Intel Core 9 273PE is the single-threaded Cinebench specialist. Its R23 single-core score of 4,417 is 96% higher than AMD's 2,253, and its R15 single-core score is 26% higher. For users running software that depends on Cinebench-style single-thread rendering, the Intel part delivers a genuine advantage.

For everything else, the AMD part is ahead. The 68.4% lead in data compression and 124.3% lead in extended instructions indicate that the Ryzen 9 9900X is substantially stronger in data processing and specialized instruction workloads. The lower TDP of the Intel part, 65 watts versus 120 watts, may appeal to system builders prioritizing power efficiency, but the benchmark results do not show a corresponding performance benefit outside single-thread Cinebench.

The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which gives platform flexibility, and it has a higher boost clock at 5.70 GHz. The AMD part has more PCIe lanes, 24 versus 16, and an unlocked multiplier. Both are active production parts with ECC support.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X has an average benchmark score of 57,498, while the Intel Core 9 273PE averages 49,845.

Q: How many benchmarks does each processor win in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins 13 of the 15 shared benchmarks. The Intel Core 9 273PE wins 2.

Q: What is the largest performance margin in the shared tests?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X leads by 124.3% in PassMark extended instructions, scoring 55,243 versus 24,630 for the Intel part.

Q: Are the single-core Cinebench results a win for Intel?

A: Yes. In Cinebench R23 single core, Intel scores 4,417 versus AMD's 2,253, a 49% advantage. In Cinebench R15 single core, Intel scores 445 versus AMD's 353, a 20.7% lead.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and the Intel Core 9 273PE support ECC memory.

Q: What are the TDP values for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X has a TDP of 120 watts. The Intel Core 9 273PE has a TDP of 65 watts.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core 9 273PE |

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

| Base Clock | 4.40 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.60 GHz | 5.70 GHz |

| TDP | 120 watts | 65 watts |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Process Node | 4 nm (TSMC) | 10 nm (Intel) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 36 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| PCIe Lanes | 24 Gen 5 (CPU only) | 16 Gen 5 (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $499 | $549 |

| Release Date | 2024-08-14 | 2026-03-08 |