AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D vs Intel Core 9 273PQE Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score in the database?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE has a higher average benchmark score at 66099, compared to the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D at 54762. The Intel part also holds a higher percentile rank among all CPUs at 93, versus 91 for the AMD.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D scores 47737 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE scores 39190, giving the AMD processor a 21.8% lead.

Q: Are there any benchmark tests where the Intel Core 9 273PQE outperforms the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D?

A: Yes, in PassMark floating point math the Intel Core 9 273PQE scores 125546 versus 119622 for the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D, a 4.7% advantage for Intel.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache capacity between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has 128 MB of L3 cache, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE has a boost clock of 5.90 GHz, higher than the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D's boost clock of 5.50 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D and the Intel Core 9 273PQE support ECC memory.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split in intended usage. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D wins 16 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons recorded in the database. Its wins span Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core tests, plus the majority of PassMark workloads. The Intel Core 9 273PQE claims only a single benchmark win in PassMark floating point math.

For workloads that stress integer math, data compression, encryption, extended instructions, physics, or random string sorting, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D consistently delivers higher scores. The gap in PassMark find prime numbers is particularly large, with the AMD processor scoring 544 against 198 for Intel, a 174.7% difference. The AMD chip also leads by 93.9% in PassMark physics and by 35.2% in random string sorting.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE, despite its lower benchmark win count, has a higher average score overall (66099) and a higher percentile rank (93). This indicates that its single strong area, floating point math, plus other unmeasured characteristics, contribute to a higher aggregate standing in the database. Still, in direct head-to-head comparisons, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the dominant part.

The choice depends on the specific workload. For most general-purpose computing, multi-threaded rendering, compression, and encryption tasks, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the stronger option based on the recorded benchmarks. For workloads heavily reliant on floating point math, the Intel Core 9 273PQE holds a measurable edge. The Intel part also benefits from a higher percentile rank, suggesting better overall standing in the broader CPU landscape.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 4811 against 3950 for Intel, a 21.8% advantage. The single-core R15 result is similar, with AMD at 679 versus 557, a 21.9% lead. Cinebench R20 shows the same 21.8% gap in both multi-core (20049 vs 16459) and single-core (2830 vs 2323). Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: AMD scores 47737 versus 39190 in multi-core and 6739 versus 5532 in single-core, both 21.8% ahead.

PassMark results follow a similar trajectory. In multi-thread performance, AMD scores 56154 against 46107, a 21.8% lead. Data compression favors AMD at 685074 versus 585752, a 17% difference. Data encryption shows AMD at 33282 versus 29636, a 12.3% advantage. Extended instructions heavily favor AMD, with a score of 55426 against 38743, a 43.1% gap. Integer math sees AMD at 179727 versus 164629, a 9.2% lead.

The largest disparities appear in specialized workloads. PassMark find prime numbers gives AMD a score of 544 versus 198 for Intel, a 174.7% difference. PassMark physics shows AMD at 5340 against 2754, a 93.9% lead. Random string sorting favors AMD at 71864 versus 53167, a 35.2% gap.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE's only head-to-head win comes in PassMark floating point math, where it scores 125546 against AMD's 119622, a 4.7% advantage. The single-thread PassMark results are close: AMD scores 4646 versus 4573 for Intel, a narrow 1.6% lead. This near parity in single-thread PassMark contrasts with the larger gaps in Cinebench single-core tests, where AMD leads by 21.8% or 21.9%.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has a base clock of 4.40 GHz, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE has a base clock of 3.40 GHz. The Intel part has a higher boost clock at 5.90 GHz, compared to 5.50 GHz for AMD.

The TDP ratings are close but not identical: AMD lists 120 W, Intel lists 125 W. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel processor uses Intel Socket 1700. Memory support differs as well: the AMD chip supports DDR5 only, while the Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both have dual-channel memory buses and identical memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s.

PCIe lane counts differ. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core 9 273PQE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: AMD includes Radeon Graphics, while Intel includes UHD Graphics 770.

The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel processor has a locked multiplier. The launch MSRP for the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is $599. The launch MSRP for the Intel Core 9 273PQE is $589. Release dates differ, with AMD listed as 2025-01-05 and Intel as 2026-03-08.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is built on the Zen 5 architecture with the codename Granite Ridge, part of the 9000 series. It uses a 4 nm process node from TSMC. The Intel Core 9 273PQE is based on the Bartlett Lake codename, part of the Core 9 generation, and uses a 10 nm process node from Intel.

Both processors have 12 cores and 24 threads, and both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache differs: AMD has 1 MB per core, while Intel has 2 MB per core. L3 cache also differs significantly: AMD has 128 MB, while Intel has 36 MB shared. AMD reports 16,630 million transistors and a die size of 2x 70.6 mm², while Intel does not report transistor count or die size in the database.

The AMD processor uses the Granite Ridge design with a 4 nm TSMC process. The Intel processor uses a 10 nm Intel process. The cache configuration differences are substantial, with AMD's 128 MB L3 cache being more than three times larger than Intel's 36 MB shared L3 cache, although Intel compensates with a larger L2 cache per core at 2 MB versus AMD's 1 MB.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D wins in rendering and multi-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 47737 versus 39190 for Intel, a 21.8% gap, indicates a clear advantage for CPU-intensive rendering tasks. The same 21.8% margin appears across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both multi-core and single-core tests, showing consistent superiority in this benchmark family.

For data processing tasks, AMD leads in compression with a 17% advantage and encryption with a 12.3% lead. Integer math gives AMD a 9.2% edge. The extended instructions workload shows a 43.1% gap in favor of AMD, suggesting better performance for workloads using advanced instruction sets. Random string sorting favors AMD by 35.2%, indicating an advantage in sorting-heavy applications.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE wins specifically in floating point math, with a 4.7% lead over AMD. This makes it the better choice for workloads that are heavily dependent on floating point calculations. The Intel part also has a higher average benchmark score overall at 66099, versus 54762 for AMD, and a higher percentile rank at 93 versus 91, suggesting it may hold an edge in aggregate performance across a broader range of unmeasured tasks.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D's 128 MB L3 cache likely contributes to its wins in compression, encryption, and extended instructions, where large working sets benefit from larger cache capacity. The Intel part's higher boost clock of 5.90 GHz may contribute to its floating point advantage, though the AMD chip's higher base clock of 4.40 GHz helps in sustained multi-threaded workloads. For most workloads in the recorded data, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the stronger performer. For specialized floating point tasks, the Intel Core 9 273PQE has a measurable edge.