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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data splits these two 12-core, 24-thread processors into distinct performance profiles. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins 11 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE takes 4. However, the magnitude of Intel's wins in single-core tests is substantial, creating a nuanced picture.

The most decisive AMD victory comes in PassMark's find prime numbers test, where the Ryzen 9 9900X scores 436 against Intel's 198, a 120.2% advantage. This is the largest delta in either direction across all shared benchmarks. The Ryzen 9 9900X also shows strong leads in extended instructions (55243 vs 38743, a 42.6% gap) and random string sorting (72013 vs 53167, a 35.4% gap). These results point to architectural strengths in specific computational patterns.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, AMD delivers 5008 points versus Intel's 3950, a 26.8% lead. PassMark multithread shows a similar story: 54643 for AMD against 46107 for Intel, an 18.5% advantage. The Ryzen 9 9900X also wins PassMark physics by 22.8% (3381 vs 2754), data compression by 16.7% (683579 vs 585752), and data encryption by 12.8% (33421 vs 29636). Integer math goes to AMD by 10% (181056 vs 164629), while single-thread PassMark shows a narrow 2.2% AMD edge (4672 vs 4573).

Intel's counterattack comes in the Cinebench suite. The Core 9 273PQE dominates Cinebench R23 single-core with 5532 points against AMD's 2253, a massive 59.3% margin. In Cinebench R15 single-core, Intel leads 557 to 353, a 36.6% gap. Even in Cinebench R23 multicore, where AMD's architecture typically excels, Intel wins 39190 to 32172, a 17.9% lead. PassMark floating point math goes to Intel by a smaller 4.4% margin (125546 vs 120083).

The overall average benchmark scores reflect these different strengths. The Intel Core 9 273PQE holds a 66099 average score against AMD's 57498, placing it in the 93rd percentile versus AMD's 92nd. Intel's nearest rival is the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus at 66159 (0.1% ahead), while AMD's closest competitor is the AMD EPYC 9015 at 57555 (0.1% ahead of AMD). The Intel part sits 1.1% above the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D and 1.2% above the AMD EPYC 4465P in its rival grouping.

The Verdict

The data indicates two different performance philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins the majority of shared tests, particularly in multithreaded workloads, encryption, compression, and specialized instruction sets. Its 120.2% lead in prime number finding and 42.6% lead in extended instructions show where its Zen 5 architecture concentrates its advantages.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE counters with extraordinary single-core Cinebench results. The 59.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is the single largest Intel advantage, and the 36.6% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core reinforces this pattern. Intel also wins Cinebench R23 multicore by 17.9%, which is notable given AMD's 26.8% lead in the older Cinebench R15 multicore test.

Users prioritizing Cinebench-style rendering workloads would favor Intel based on the newer benchmark versions. Users working with encryption, compression, sorting, or physics simulations would favor AMD. The PassMark single-thread test shows only a 2.2% AMD edge, so Intel's Cinebench single-core dominance does not translate to all single-threaded scenarios.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE has an average benchmark score of 66099, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X averages 57498. Intel sits in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, AMD in the 92nd.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: Intel wins with 39190 points against AMD's 32172, a 17.9% advantage. This reverses the result from Cinebench R15 multicore, where AMD leads 5008 to 3950, a 26.8% margin.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in either direction?

A: AMD's 120.2% lead in PassMark find prime numbers is the largest delta. AMD scores 436, Intel scores 198. Intel's largest win is 59.3% in Cinebench R23 single-core, with 5532 versus AMD's 2253.

Q: Which processor wins PassMark multithread?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins PassMark multithread with 54643 points against Intel's 46107, an 18.5% lead.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and the Intel Core 9 273PQE list ECC memory support as true.

Q: How close is the PassMark single-thread score?

A: AMD leads narrowly with 4672 against Intel's 4573, a 2.2% difference. This is the smallest margin among all shared benchmarks.

Specification Differences

The two processors share several core specifications but differ in clock speeds, sockets, and platform support. Both have 12 cores and 24 threads. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X runs a 4.40 GHz base clock and 5.60 GHz boost clock, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE has a lower 3.40 GHz base but a higher 5.90 GHz boost.

AMD uses Socket AM5, Intel uses Socket 1700. The TDP figures are close: 120 watts for AMD, 125 watts for Intel. Memory support differs: AMD supports DDR5 only, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth.

PCIe lane counts differ. The AMD part provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics also differ: AMD includes Radeon Graphics, Intel includes UHD Graphics 770.

The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier; Intel's is locked. Release dates show AMD launched on 2024-08-14, Intel on 2026-03-08. The launch MSRP for AMD is $499, for Intel it is $589.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectures diverge significantly. AMD uses Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm process from TSMC, with the Granite Ridge codename. Intel uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm process from its own foundry. AMD's process node advantage is clear: 4 nm versus 10 nm.

Cache layouts differ substantially. Both have 80 KB L1 per core and 1 MB L2 per core for AMD, but Intel doubles L2 to 2 MB per core. The L3 cache tells a different story: AMD has 64 MB L3, while Intel has 36 MB shared. AMD's larger L3 cache likely contributes to its wins in data-heavy workloads like compression and sorting.

AMD's transistor count is listed at 16,630 million across a 2x 70.6 mm² die size. Intel does not report transistor count or die size in the database. The AMD part is built by TSMC, Intel by its own foundry.

Both support DDR5 memory, but Intel also supports DDR4. Both have ECC support. The AMD processor uses the 9000 series generation with Ryzen 9 branding, while Intel uses the Core 9 generation with Bartlett Lake branding.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins in scenarios involving data transformation and specialized math. Its 16.7% lead in data compression and 12.8% lead in data encryption make it suitable for archival, database, and security-related workloads. The 42.6% advantage in extended instructions and 120.2% lead in prime number finding indicate strengths in scientific computing and cryptography. PassMark multithread at 18.5% ahead confirms general parallel workload superiority, while the 22.8% physics lead suggests better simulation performance.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE wins in Cinebench-based rendering workloads, particularly the modern R23 versions. The 59.3% single-core lead in R23 and 36.6% lead in R15 single-core point to exceptional per-thread performance in this specific benchmark family. Intel's 17.9% win in R23 multicore shows that its higher boost clock of 5.90 GHz can overcome AMD's architectural advantages in sustained all-core rendering. The 4.4% lead in floating point math gives Intel an edge in certain numerical computation patterns.

PassMark single-thread shows near parity at 2.2% AMD, meaning the Intel part's Cinebench single-core dominance does not generalize across all single-threaded tests. The overall average score favors Intel by about 15%, driven by the large Cinebench R23 margins. The AMD part wins more individual tests, but the Intel part wins the tests with the largest score magnitudes.