AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D vs Intel Core 9 273PQE Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE wins in single-core tests. It scores 557 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 332 for the AMD, a 40.4% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel leads 5532 to 2159.5, a 61% gap. PassMark single-thread results are closer: 4573 for Intel versus 4511 for AMD, a 1.4% difference.

Q: Which chip has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE boosts to 5.90 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D boosts to 5.40 GHz. The Intel chip also has a higher base clock at 3.40 GHz versus 2.50 GHz.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache capacity?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has 128 MB of L3 cache, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip also has 1 MB of L2 per core versus 2 MB per core for Intel.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D and the Intel Core 9 273PQE support ECC memory. Both also support dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has a higher overall benchmark percentile?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D sits at the 96th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE sits at the 93rd percentile. The AMD chip also has a higher average benchmark score at 97453 versus 66099 for Intel.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D belongs to the 9000 series and uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Fire Range codename. It is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC, with 16,630 million transistors and a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The chip uses AMD Socket FL1 and targets the mobile market segment, with production status listed as active. It includes a Radeon 610M integrated GPU and supports PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only). The multiplier is unlocked.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is built on a 10 nm process at Intel. It targets the desktop market segment and uses Intel Socket 1700. The chip includes UHD Graphics 770 as its integrated GPU and supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The multiplier is locked. Memory support covers both DDR4 and DDR5, whereas the AMD chip supports only DDR5.

Cache layouts differ substantially. Both processors have 80 KB of L1 per core. The AMD chip has 1 MB of L2 per core and 128 MB of L3 cache. The Intel chip has 2 MB of L2 per core and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. These cache configurations reflect different design goals: the AMD part carries a very large L3 pool, while the Intel part pairs a smaller L3 with larger per-core L2.

The TDP figures are also distinct. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is rated at 55 watts, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE is rated at 125 watts. Both processors support ECC memory and dual-channel memory with equal memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The release dates differ as well: AMD entered production with a release date of 2025-01-05, while Intel's release date is 2026-03-08.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear split between multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D wins 10 of the 15 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE wins 5.

The largest AMD victory comes in PassMark find prime numbers, where the AMD scores 525 against 198 for Intel, a 165.2% advantage. PassMark physics also strongly favors AMD: 4687 versus 2754, a 70.2% lead. PassMark extended instructions shows a 62.1% gap (62813 versus 38743), and Cinebench R15 multicore shows a 53% lead (6042.5 versus 3950). PassMark random string sorting favors AMD by 57% (83497 versus 53167), and PassMark multithread favors AMD by 35.9% (62674 versus 46107). PassMark integer math shows a 35.2% edge for AMD (222503 versus 164629), and PassMark data compression shows a 34.2% edge (785811 versus 585752). PassMark data encryption is 33.1% higher for AMD (39446 versus 29636), and PassMark floating point math is 14.8% higher (144122 versus 125546).

The Intel Core 9 273PQE counters with decisive single-core wins. Cinebench R23 single-core shows Intel at 5532 versus 2159.5 for AMD, a 61% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core shows Intel at 557 versus 332, a 40.4% lead. The closest Intel win is PassMark single-thread at 4573 versus 4511, a 1.4% margin. Notably, Cinebench R23 multicore goes to Intel as well: 39190 versus 38161.5, a 2.6% lead, despite AMD winning Cinebench R15 multicore by a wide margin.

These results indicate that AMD dominates in integer-heavy, physics, encryption, compression, and extended instruction workloads, while Intel takes the single-core crown in Cinebench and edges out AMD in the PassMark single-thread test. The multicore picture is mixed: AMD wins the older Cinebench R15 multicore test by a large margin, but Intel wins the newer Cinebench R23 multicore test by a small margin.

The Verdict

The data shows that the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is the stronger overall processor for multi-threaded and specialized workloads. It sits at the 96th percentile of all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 97453, compared to the Intel Core 9 273PQE at the 93rd percentile with an average score of 66099. The AMD chip wins 10 of 15 head-to-head tests, including large margins in physics, encryption, compression, and extended instructions. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX (1.1% lower average score) and the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9945 (1.4% lower), placing it in strong company.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE is the pick for single-core performance. It wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 61% and Cinebench R15 single-core by 40.4%. It also wins Cinebench R23 multicore by a narrow 2.6% margin, showing that its 12 cores with higher clocks can compete with AMD's 16 cores in at least one rendering test. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus (0.1% lower), the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D (0.3% higher), and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus (1.1% higher), which puts it in a similar performance class to those chips.

Choose the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D for workloads that scale across many threads, heavy data compression, encryption, or physics simulation. Choose the Intel Core 9 273PQE for single-thread-sensitive applications and rendering tasks where Cinebench R23 reflects the actual workload. The Intel chip also carries a launch MSRP of $589, while the AMD chip has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several measured fields. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D uses 16 cores and 32 threads; the Intel Core 9 273PQE uses 12 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz for AMD and 3.40 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 5.40 GHz for AMD and 5.90 GHz for Intel. TDP is 55 watts for AMD and 125 watts for Intel.

The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FL1, the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1700. AMD uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Fire Range codename; Intel uses the Bartlett Lake codename with no architecture field recorded. The process node is 4 nm at TSMC for AMD and 10 nm at Intel for the Intel chip. AMD has 16,630 million transistors and a die size of 2x 70.6 mm²; Intel has no transistor or die size data recorded.

Cache differs: both have 80 KB L1 per core, but AMD has 1 MB L2 per core and 128 MB L3, while Intel has 2 MB L2 per core and 36 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR5 only for AMD and DDR4 plus DDR5 for Intel. Both have dual-channel memory and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe support is Gen 5 with 28 lanes for AMD and Gen 5 with 16 lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics are Radeon 610M for AMD and UHD Graphics 770 for Intel. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel chip is locked. Release dates are 2025-01-05 for AMD and 2026-03-08 for Intel. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $589; the AMD chip has none recorded.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D wins in workloads that use many threads and large caches. PassMark physics, with a 70.2% lead, points to simulation and gaming physics workloads. PassMark data compression (34.2% lead) and data encryption (33.1% lead) point to archiving, storage, and security workloads. PassMark extended instructions (62.1% lead) and integer math (35.2% lead) point to scientific computing and general number crunching. The 128 MB L3 cache likely contributes to these wins, especially in data-heavy tasks. The mobile 55-watt TDP also makes this chip suitable for systems where power draw matters.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE wins in single-thread-sensitive workloads. The 61% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and the 40.4% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core indicate strong performance in lightly threaded applications. The narrow 1.4% win in PassMark single-thread confirms that the Intel chip holds a small but consistent edge in single-threaded PassMark tests. The 2.6% win in Cinebench R23 multicore shows that the Intel chip can also handle rendering workloads, despite having fewer cores, thanks to its higher clock speeds. The 125-watt TDP and desktop segment designation suggest this chip is intended for systems with robust cooling and power delivery. The locked multiplier means overclocking is not available, unlike the AMD chip's unlocked multiplier.