AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X vs Intel Core 9 273PQE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive overall victory for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X, which wins 9 of the 11 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core 9 273PQE secures only 2 wins, and both are narrow single-thread margins. The scale of the AMD advantage in multi-threaded workloads is substantial, with deltas ranging from 132.9% to 267.4% across the compute-heavy tests.

The largest single gap appears in PassMark extended instructions, where the Threadripper 9970X scores 142,342 against Intel's 38,743, a 267.4% difference. This test typically stresses vector and specialized instruction throughput, and the data shows AMD delivering more than three and a half times the raw output. Random string sorting shows a similar pattern: AMD records 191,445 versus 53,167, a 260.1% delta. Data compression follows at 1,757,998 versus 585,752, a 200.1% gap, and prime number finding shows 615 versus 198, a 210.6% delta.

Encryption workloads favor AMD by 192.8%, with scores of 86,765 against 29,636. Integer math shows a 182.7% delta (465,378 versus 164,629), while floating point math is closer but still dominant, with AMD at 309,719 versus 125,546, a 146.7% lead. Physics simulation results show AMD at 6,835 versus 2,754, a 148.2% difference. Even the multithread score, which is the broadest measure of parallel performance, shows AMD at 107,399 versus 46,107, a 132.9% advantage.

The only two benchmarks where Intel takes the lead are the PassMark single-thread tests, which appear twice in the data with identical results. The Intel Core 9 273PQE scores 4,573 against AMD's 4,530, a delta of just 0.9%. This is a marginal win, indicating that the two processors have nearly equivalent per-core performance in this specific workload, with Intel holding a slight edge.

The average benchmark score reinforces the overall picture. The Threadripper 9970X records an average of 279,778, while the Core 9 273PQE averages 66,099. The AMD part sits in the 99th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while Intel sits in the 93rd. The nearest rivals for AMD include the Intel Xeon 6780E with an average score of 280,438 (0.2% higher), the AMD EPYC 9565 at 285,471 (2% higher), the Intel Xeon 696X at 286,102 (2.2% higher), and the AMD EPYC 9555P at 287,066 (2.5% higher). For Intel, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus at 66,159 (0.1% higher), the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D at 65,914 (0.3% lower), the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus at 66,855 (1.1% higher), and the AMD EPYC 4465P at 66,925 (1.2% higher).

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X wins every multi-threaded and throughput-oriented category in the benchmark set. Its 32 cores and 64 threads provide a clear structural advantage over Intel's 12 cores and 24 threads. The data shows AMD dominating in data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, multithread performance, physics, and random string sorting. These are workloads that scale with core count and memory bandwidth, and the Threadripper's quad-channel DDR5 memory bus with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth supports that scaling far better than Intel's dual-channel 89.6 GB/s configuration.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE wins only the single-thread tests. Its boost clock of 5.90 GHz against AMD's 5.40 GHz contributes to this result, and the 0.9% margin reflects a genuine but small per-core advantage. For workloads that are latency-sensitive and depend on a single thread, such as certain legacy applications or lightly threaded interactive tasks, the Intel part holds a measurable edge. The Intel processor also includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 770, while the Threadripper has none, which matters for systems that require a display output without a discrete GPU.

The use-case split is therefore clear. AMD is the choice for rendering, simulation, data processing, encryption, and any parallel compute task. Intel is the choice for single-thread responsiveness and for configurations that need integrated graphics. The multithread score difference of 132.9% is the most general indicator: any workload that uses more than a handful of threads will favor AMD by a wide margin.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a straightforward verdict. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is the stronger processor for multi-threaded and throughput-intensive workloads, with wins in 9 of 11 benchmarks and an average score of 279,778 that places it in the 99th percentile. Its 99th percentile ranking versus Intel's 93rd percentile, combined with a 210.6% lead in extended instructions and a 200.1% lead in data compression, establishes it as the dominant part for compute-heavy tasks.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE is the better choice only for single-thread performance and for systems requiring integrated graphics. Its 0.9% single-thread win is real but small, and it does not offset the massive multi-thread deficit. The Intel part's average score of 66,099 places it near the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, which scores 65,914, a 0.3% gap. That positioning shows that the Core 9 273PQE competes with high-end consumer processors, not with the Threadripper class.

The vendor split is also relevant. AMD uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, while Intel uses a 10 nm process from its own foundry. The Threadripper's 350 W TDP versus Intel's 125 W TDP reflects the power envelope required for 32 cores and 64 threads, and the data shows that power translates directly into performance in parallel workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multithread score?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X scores 107,399 in PassMark multithread, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE scores 46,107. The AMD part leads by 132.9%.

Q: Does the Intel Core 9 273PQE beat the AMD chip in any test?

A: Yes. The Intel part wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 4,573 against AMD's 4,530, a 0.9% margin. This result appears twice in the data with identical values.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark extended instructions, where the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X scores 142,342 versus Intel's 38,743, a 267.4% difference.

Q: How do the two processors compare in the 99th and 93rd percentiles?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is in the 99th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE is in the 93rd percentile. The AMD part's average benchmark score is 279,778, and Intel's is 66,099.

Q: Which processor supports integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE includes UHD Graphics 770. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X uses a quad-channel DDR5 memory bus with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core 9 273PQE uses a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth, and it supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different architectures and platform designs. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is built on the Zen 5 architecture with the codename Shimada Peak, using a 4 nm process from TSMC. It contains 32 cores and 64 threads with a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Intel Core 9 273PQE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, is built on a 10 nm process from Intel, and contains 12 cores and 24 threads with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.90 GHz.

The transistor count differs substantially. The AMD part lists 33,260 million transistors across a die size of 4x 70.6 mm². The Intel part has no transistor count or die size listed in the database. The cache hierarchy also differs. AMD uses 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 128 MB of L3 cache. Intel uses 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache.

Memory support diverges as well. AMD supports DDR5 only, with a quad-channel bus and 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. Both processors support ECC memory. PCIe lanes show a major difference: AMD provides Gen 5 with 80 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The AMD processor uses AMD Socket sTR5, while the Intel processor uses Intel Socket 1700. AMD has an unlocked multiplier, while Intel does not. The AMD part number is 100-000001594, and the Intel part number is SA4Q9. The AMD processor belongs to the Ryzen Threadripper generation under Zen 5, while the Intel processor belongs to the Core 9 generation under Bartlett Lake.

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ in the database.

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X | Intel Core 9 273PQE |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 32 | 12 |

| Threads | 64 | 24 |

| Base clock | 4.00 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.40 GHz | 5.90 GHz |

| TDP | 350 W | 125 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket sTR5 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Shimada Peak | Bartlett Lake |

| Process node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L1 cache | 64 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 1 MB per core | 2 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 128 MB | 36 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 204.8 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| PCIe lanes | Gen 5, 80 lanes | Gen 5, 16 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | N/A | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Release date | 2025-07-29 | 2026-03-08 |

| Launch MSRP | $2499 | $589 |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part number | 100-000001594 | SA4Q9 |

| Percentile vs all CPUs | 99 | 93 |

| Average benchmark score | 279778 | 66099 |

The release dates show the AMD part arriving in July 2025 and the Intel part in March 2026. The launch MSRP values are $2499 for the Threadripper and $589 for the Core 9, reflecting the different market positions. The production status for both is Active. The market segment for both is Desktop. The integrated graphics difference is notable: Intel includes UHD Graphics 770, while AMD lists N/A. The memory bandwidth difference of 204.8 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s is one of the largest specification gaps and helps explain the scale of the AMD multi-thread wins.