AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 vs Intel Core 9 273PQE Comparison

AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 and Intel Core 9 273PQE both present twelve cores and twenty-four threads, yet the data places them in distinctly different market segments. The AMD part is a mobile processor on the AMD Socket FP11, while the Intel chip is a desktop unit using Intel Socket 1700. The recorded benchmarks for the Intel processor show a substantial lead in multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads, though the AMD processor's memory bandwidth and integrated graphics configuration suggest a different set of priorities. The following analysis draws exclusively from the database records.

FAQ

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare between the two processors?

A: Both the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 and the Intel Core 9 273PQE have exactly 12 cores and 24 threads. The core configuration is identical in count, though the cache layout differs, as detailed in the specification section.

Q: What is the difference in boost clock speeds?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE has a boost clock of 5.90 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 boosts to 5.00 GHz. The Intel part also has a higher base clock at 3.40 GHz compared to 3.20 GHz on the AMD chip.

Q: Which processor supports higher memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 supports quad-channel LPDDR5X memory with a bandwidth of 273.1 GB/s. The Intel Core 9 273PQE supports dual-channel DDR4 or DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The AMD processor offers over three times the memory bandwidth in the recorded specifications.

Q: What is the production status and release date for each?

A: Both processors are listed as Active in production. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 was released on May 19, 2026, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE was released on March 8, 2026.

Q: What is the process node for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE uses a 10 nm process from Intel. The die size for the AMD part is listed as 2x 70.6 mm², with no die size recorded for the Intel chip.

Q: What integrated graphics does each processor include?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 includes the Radeon 8050S, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE includes the UHD Graphics 770. Both are integrated solutions, but the database does not record comparative performance for these graphics units.

Architecture Differences

The architecture differences between these two processors are significant and explain much of their divergent behavior in benchmarks. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 is built on the Gorgon Halo codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI Max PRO generation based on Zen 5 cores. It uses a 4 nm process node manufactured by TSMC, with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core 9 273PQE, on the other hand, uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 9 generation. It is built on a 10 nm process from Intel, with no die size recorded in the database.

Cache organization differs markedly between the two. The AMD processor has an L1 cache of 80 KB per core, an L2 cache of 1 MB per core, and a 64 MB L3 cache. The Intel processor matches the L1 cache at 80 KB per core but doubles the L2 to 2 MB per core, while its L3 cache is 36 MB shared. The larger L3 on the AMD side suggests a design aimed at high-bandwidth workloads, while the larger per-core L2 on the Intel side may benefit certain latency-sensitive tasks.

Memory support is another major architectural split. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 supports LPDDR5X memory over a quad-channel bus, yielding a memory bandwidth of 273.1 GB/s. The Intel Core 9 273PQE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, as does the Intel part. PCIe generation differs as well: the AMD processor uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel processor uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Both processors have locked multipliers, meaning they are not unlocked for overclocking. The AMD part is designated for the mobile market segment, while the Intel part is a desktop processor. The power envelope differs substantially, with the AMD chip at 55 W TDP and the Intel chip at 125 W TDP. The socket types are incompatible: AMD Socket FP11 versus Intel Socket 1700.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains a full set of benchmark scores for the Intel Core 9 273PQE but no recorded benchmark scores for the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490. The head-to-head comparison must therefore rely on the Intel processor's absolute scores and its standing among nearest rivals, as the AMD chip has no benchmark entries in the database.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE achieves a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39190 and a single-core score of 5532. In Cinebench R20, it scores 16459 multi-core and 2323 single-core. Cinebench R15 shows a multi-core score of 3950 and a single-core score of 557. These results place the Intel processor in the 93rd percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 66099.

PassMark tests further detail the Intel chip's performance. The multi-thread score is 46107, and single-thread scores are recorded as 4573 (listed twice under slightly different test names). Integer math reaches 164629, floating point math reaches 125546, and extended instructions score 38743. Data compression scores 585752, while data encryption scores 29636. Random string sorting reaches 53167, physics scores 2754, and finding prime numbers scores 198.

The nearest rivals for the Intel Core 9 273PQE provide context for its scores. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has an average score of 66159, which is 0.1% higher than the Core 9 273PQE. The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D scores 65914, 0.3% lower. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus scores 66855, 1.1% higher, and the AMD EPYC 4465P scores 66925, 1.2% higher. These narrow deltas indicate that the Core 9 273PQE sits in a competitive performance band, slightly behind the top of its immediate peer group but within a couple of percentage points.

Since the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has no benchmark scores, no direct comparison of wins or losses can be made from the recorded data. The win counts are 0 for both processors in the head-to-head field, reflecting the absence of matched tests.

The Verdict

Without recorded benchmark scores for the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490, the data cannot support a direct performance verdict. The Intel Core 9 273PQE, however, demonstrates strong results across all tested workloads. Its 93rd percentile ranking among all CPUs, combined with an average benchmark score of 66099, places it in the upper tier of processors. The nearest rivals, all within 1.2% of its score, confirm that the Intel chip is competitive with high-end desktop parts such as the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D.

For the AMD processor, the recorded specifications indicate a different design philosophy. The 55 W TDP, quad-channel LPDDR5X memory, and Radeon 8050S integrated graphics point toward a mobile platform optimized for bandwidth and power efficiency. The 4 nm process node from TSMC and the 64 MB L3 cache suggest a focus on integrated performance in a constrained thermal envelope.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE, with its 125 W TDP, dual-channel memory, and UHD Graphics 770, targets desktop workloads where raw compute throughput matters more than memory bandwidth or power draw. The benchmark data confirms this focus: the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39190 and PassMark multi-thread score of 46107 indicate strong sustained performance for demanding applications.

The choice between these processors, based solely on the data, depends on the user's platform and workload priorities. The Intel part is the only one with measured performance, and it performs well. The AMD part offers architectural advantages in memory bandwidth and process technology, but the absence of benchmark scores means its actual performance cannot be quantified from the database.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 and the Intel Core 9 273PQE.

• Base clock: 3.20 GHz (AMD) versus 3.40 GHz (Intel)
• Boost clock: 5.00 GHz (AMD) versus 5.90 GHz (Intel)
• TDP: 55 W (AMD) versus 125 W (Intel)
• Socket: AMD Socket FP11 versus Intel Socket 1700
• Codename: Gorgon Halo versus Bartlett Lake
• Generation: Ryzen AI Max PRO (Zen 5) versus Core 9 (Bartlett Lake)
• Process node: 4 nm (TSMC) versus 10 nm (Intel)
• Foundry: TSMC versus Intel
• Die size: 2x 70.6 mm² versus not recorded
• L2 cache: 1 MB per core versus 2 MB per core
• L3 cache: 64 MB versus 36 MB shared
• Memory support: LPDDR5X versus DDR4, DDR5
• Memory bus: Quad-channel versus Dual-channel
• Memory bandwidth: 273.1 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s
• PCIe: Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) versus Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only)
• Integrated graphics: Radeon 8050S versus UHD Graphics 770
• Market segment: Mobile versus Desktop
• Release date: May 19, 2026 versus March 8, 2026
• Part number: 100-000002141 versus SA4Q9
• Launch MSRP: not recorded for AMD; Intel has a launch MSRP of $589

The two processors share the same core count, thread count, L1 cache size, and ECC memory support. Both are active in production and both have locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded data, the Intel Core 9 273PQE wins in every measured benchmark category because it is the only processor with benchmark scores. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 has no recorded performance data, so no benchmark-based wins can be attributed to it.

The Intel processor's recorded strengths include multi-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39190, PassMark multi-thread score of 46107, and integer math score of 164629 indicate strong performance in tasks that use all cores. Data compression at 585752 and floating point math at 125546 further support this profile. Single-threaded performance is also solid, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5532 and a PassMark single-thread score of 4573.

For the AMD processor, the specification sheet suggests potential strengths in memory bandwidth and power efficiency. The quad-channel LPDDR5X memory with 273.1 GB/s bandwidth is more than three times the Intel chip's 89.6 GB/s. The 55 W TDP is less than half the Intel part's 125 W, indicating a lower power draw. The 4 nm process node and 64 MB L3 cache may also contribute to better performance per watt, though no benchmark scores confirm this.

The use-case split from the data is clear. The Intel Core 9 273PQE is suited for desktop workloads that demand high multi-threaded and single-threaded throughput, as demonstrated by its benchmark scores and competitive standing among top CPUs. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 490 is positioned for mobile platforms where memory bandwidth and power efficiency are priorities, based on its architecture and specifications, but its actual performance remains unmeasured in the database.