AMD Ryzen 9 9950X vs Intel Core 9 273PE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a decisive overall advantage for the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X, which wins 13 of the 15 shared benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core 9 273PE takes only two wins, both in single-core Cinebench tests. The magnitude of AMD's victories is substantial across most workloads, though the Intel part claims the largest single-test margin in either direction.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X scores 40,924 against 31,288 for the Intel Core 9 273PE, a 30.8% advantage. The older Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows an even wider gap: 6,335 versus 3,153, which translates to a 100.9% delta, meaning AMD roughly doubles the Intel score. That result is the most lopsided multi-core comparison in the entire dataset. PassMark multi-threaded performance follows the same pattern, with AMD at 66,030 versus 36,810, a 79.4% lead.

The Intel Core 9 273PE answers back in Cinebench R15 single-core with 445 versus 344, a 22.7% margin in Intel's favor. The R23 single-core result is even more dramatic: Intel scores 4,417 against AMD's 2,202, a 50.1% lead. These are the only two tests where Intel finishes ahead, and both are single-threaded Cinebench runs. The PassMark single-thread test, however, tells a different story: AMD wins 4,737 versus 3,650, a 29.8% margin. That discrepancy suggests the Intel advantage is specific to Cinebench's workload rather than a general single-thread superiority.

AMD's largest win comes in PassMark extended instructions, where it scores 71,564 against Intel's 24,630, a 190.6% delta. PassMark data compression shows a 120.9% advantage (896,544 versus 405,885), and random string sorting is 109.3% ahead (94,368 versus 45,098). Data encryption delivers a 95.3% lead (44,366 versus 22,719), while integer math is 73.7% higher (242,097 versus 139,410). Prime number finding shows a 70% edge (345 versus 203), and floating-point math is 47.4% ahead (159,063 versus 107,884). The narrowest AMD win is PassMark physics, at just 5.1% (3,279 versus 3,120).

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is the clear choice for heavily threaded workloads. The multi-core Cinebench R23 result, the PassMark multi-thread score, and the large margins in data compression, encryption, extended instructions, integer math, and random string sorting all point to a processor that scales exceptionally well across many threads. The 30.8% lead in R23 multi-core and the 79.4% lead in PassMark multi-thread are consistent indicators of strong parallel performance. The 120.9% advantage in data compression and the 109.3% edge in string sorting suggest that content creation, database work, and file archiving tasks will run noticeably faster on the AMD part.

The Intel Core 9 273PE wins only in the two Cinebench single-core tests. The 50.1% margin in R23 single-core is the largest Intel victory, but this does not extend to PassMark single-thread, where AMD leads by 29.8%. The Intel part's single-core strength is real but narrow, confined to Cinebench's rendering workload. Applications that rely on Cinebench-style single-thread performance, such as certain legacy rendering pipelines or lightly threaded CAD tools, would see a benefit from the Intel processor. However, the PassMark single-thread result indicates that not all single-threaded tasks favor Intel, so the advantage is workload-specific rather than universal.

For mixed workloads that include both single-threaded and multi-threaded components, the AMD part's broader set of wins makes it the more balanced option. The Intel part's two wins are isolated, while AMD's 13 wins cover every PassMark category and both multi-core Cinebench tests. The benchmark data shows no workload category outside of Cinebench single-core where Intel leads.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X uses Zen 5 architecture on the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It integrates 16,630 million transistors across a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core 9 273PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm process at Intel, with no transistor count or die size recorded in the database. The process node difference is substantial: 4 nm versus 10 nm, which explains part of the performance and efficiency gap.

Core configuration differs significantly. The AMD part has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel part has 12 cores and 24 threads. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. L2 cache differs: AMD provides 1 MB per core, Intel provides 2 MB per core. L3 cache is 64 MB on AMD versus 36 MB shared on Intel. The larger L3 pool on AMD likely contributes to its strong performance in data compression and random string sorting, where cache capacity matters.

Memory support diverges. The AMD part supports DDR5 only, while the Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, and both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs: AMD offers Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part includes Radeon Graphics as integrated graphics, while the Intel part uses UHD Graphics 730.

Clock speeds are notable. Both parts boost to 5.70 GHz, but base clocks differ: AMD runs at 4.30 GHz, Intel at 2.30 GHz. The lower Intel base clock is likely tied to its 65 W TDP, versus 170 W for AMD. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked. The AMD part belongs to the 9000 series and uses AMD Socket AM5; the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700. The Intel part is classified as Core 9 under the Bartlett Lake generation, while AMD is Ryzen 9 under Zen 5 (Granite Ridge).

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show these differences between the two processors:

• Cores: AMD 16, Intel 12
• Threads: AMD 32, Intel 24
• Base clock: AMD 4.30 GHz, Intel 2.30 GHz
• Boost clock: Both 5.70 GHz
• TDP: AMD 170 W, Intel 65 W
• Socket: AMD Socket AM5, Intel Socket 1700
• Process node: AMD 4 nm (TSMC), Intel 10 nm (Intel)
• L2 cache: AMD 1 MB per core, Intel 2 MB per core
• L3 cache: AMD 64 MB, Intel 36 MB shared
• Memory support: AMD DDR5 only, Intel DDR4 and DDR5
• PCIe lanes: AMD Gen 5, 24 lanes (CPU only), Intel Gen 5, 16 lanes (CPU only)
• Integrated graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics, Intel UHD Graphics 730
• Multiplier unlocked: AMD yes, Intel no
• Release date: AMD 2024-08-14, Intel 2026-03-08
• Launch MSRP: AMD $649, Intel $549

The launch MSRP for the AMD part is stated once here as $649, and for the Intel part as $549. The remaining specifications are identical between the two: both have 80 KB L1 cache per core, dual-channel memory buses, 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, and ECC memory support.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: How much faster is the AMD part in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X scores 40,924 versus 31,288 for Intel, which is a 30.8% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel part win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 9 273PE wins two tests: Cinebench R15 single-core (445 versus 344, a 22.7% margin) and Cinebench R23 single-core (4,417 versus 2,202, a 50.1% margin).

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X has a 170 W TDP, while the Intel Core 9 273PE has a 65 W TDP.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both support ECC memory. Both also have dual-channel memory buses with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, but AMD supports DDR5 only while Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread PassMark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X scores 4,737 in PassMark single-thread, versus 3,650 for Intel, a 29.8% advantage. This is despite Intel winning the single-core Cinebench tests.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points decisively toward the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X for users who need sustained multi-threaded performance. AMD wins 13 of 15 head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 5.1% in PassMark physics to 190.6% in extended instructions. The multi-core Cinebench R23 result, the PassMark multi-thread score, and the large leads in data compression, encryption, integer math, and string sorting all indicate that the AMD part delivers substantially higher throughput for parallel workloads. The 100.9% advantage in Cinebench R15 multi-core means AMD effectively doubles Intel's score in that test.

The Intel Core 9 273PE has a narrower role. Its two wins are in Cinebench single-core tests, where it leads by 22.7% in R15 and 50.1% in R23. Users running applications that rely specifically on Cinebench-style single-thread performance would see a benefit. The Intel part also operates at a much lower 65 W TDP versus 170 W for AMD, and its locked multiplier targets a more restricted usage model. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5, which may matter for system flexibility, but its 12 cores and 24 threads are fewer than AMD's 16 cores and 32 threads.

The data shows that the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is the stronger processor for most workloads, particularly those that scale across cores. The Intel Core 9 273PE is the choice for Cinebench single-core scenarios and for users who prioritize lower power consumption. The average benchmark score in the database confirms the overall gap: AMD sits at 74,640 with a 94th percentile ranking across all CPUs, while Intel sits at 49,845 with a 90th percentile. The delta between the two average scores is substantial, and the head-to-head results reinforce that the AMD part is the higher-performing option in nearly every measured category.