AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs Intel Core 9 273PTE Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data separates these two processors into entirely different performance classes. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins all 17 recorded head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 32.2% in single-threaded PassMark to 1335.3% in extended instructions. The Intel Core 9 273PTE does not win a single benchmark in the database. The Threadripper 9980X sits at the 99th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 9 273PTE lands at the 82nd percentile. The average benchmark score for the AMD part is 321753, compared to 31143 for the Intel part, a ratio of roughly 10.3 to 1.

The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is the choice for workloads that scale with core count, memory bandwidth, and PCIe lane availability. It delivers 64 cores and 128 threads, a 256 MB L3 cache, quad-channel DDR5 with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth, and 80 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The Intel Core 9 273PTE, with 12 cores and 24 threads, a 36 MB shared L3 cache, dual-channel memory at 89.6 GB/s, and 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, is the choice for systems where the 45 W TDP and Socket 1700 compatibility matter more than raw throughput.

The data positions the Threadripper 9980X alongside workstation and server parts: its nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX (0.3% higher average score), Intel Xeon 6781P (2% behind), AMD EPYC 9575F (3.2% behind), and AMD EPYC 9734 (3.6% behind). The Core 9 273PTE competes in a different tier entirely, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core i7-12700F (0.2% behind), AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS (0.2% behind), Intel Core i7-13700TE (0.4% behind), and Intel Core i7-12650HX (0.5% ahead).

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X dominates every measured category. Its largest single advantage appears in PassMark extended instructions, where it scores 228959 versus 15952, a 1335.3% lead. Data compression shows a 1049.8% advantage (2974534 versus 258704), and data encryption shows a 1002.5% lead (157137 versus 14253). Integer math delivers 872071 versus 82411, a 958.2% margin, while floating point math posts 559003 versus 60673, an 821.3% advantage. Random string sorting favors the AMD part by 908.1% (292083 versus 28973).

Cinebench results are consistent across all versions. R15 multicore shows 13157 versus 2060, a 538.7% lead; R20 multicore shows 54822 versus 8586, a 538.5% lead; R23 multicore shows 130529 versus 20445, a 538.4% lead. Single-core Cinebench tests follow the same pattern, with the AMD part leading by 540.3% in R15, 538.5% in R20, and 538.5% in R23.

The narrowest margin is PassMark single-thread, where the Threadripper scores 4537 against 3433, a 32.2% advantage. This indicates the AMD architecture holds a single-core edge even though the Intel part has a slightly higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz versus 5.40 GHz. PassMark physics shows a 317.4% lead (8001 versus 1917), and PassMark multithread shows a 488.8% lead (141641 versus 24054). Prime number finding favors the AMD part by 441.5% (769 versus 142).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different foundries and process nodes. AMD builds the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X on TSMC's 4 nm process with 66,520 million transistors across a die size of 8x 70.6 mm². Intel builds the Core 9 273PTE on its own 10 nm process; the database lists no transistor count or die size for the Intel part.

Core topology differs sharply. The Threadripper 9980X uses Zen 5 architecture under the codename Shimada Peak, part of the Ryzen Threadripper 9000 series. It provides 64 cores and 128 threads. The Core 9 273PTE uses the Bartlett Lake codename within the Core 9 generation and provides 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel part's base clock is 1.40 GHz with a 5.50 GHz boost; the AMD part runs at 3.20 GHz base and 5.40 GHz boost. The Threadripper has the higher base clock by 1.80 GHz, while the Intel part has the higher boost clock by 0.10 GHz.

Cache hierarchies diverge in structure. AMD assigns 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, plus a 256 MB L3 pool. Intel assigns 80 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 per core, plus a 36 MB shared L3. The AMD part's total cache capacity is far larger, particularly the 256 MB L3, which supports the massive multicore throughput recorded in the benchmarks.

Memory and platform features also separate the two. The Threadripper 9980X supports DDR5 across a quad-channel bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and uses AMD Socket sTR5. The Core 9 273PTE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 across a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and uses Intel Socket 1700. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs substantially: the AMD part provides 80 lanes of Gen 5 (CPU only), while the Intel part provides 16 lanes of Gen 5 (CPU only). The Intel processor includes integrated UHD Graphics 730; the AMD part has no integrated graphics. The AMD multiplier is unlocked; the Intel multiplier is locked.

Power envelopes are far apart. The Threadripper 9980X carries a 350 W TDP, while the Core 9 273PTE carries a 45 W TDP. This difference explains the gulf in performance and also defines the platform requirements: the AMD part needs a workstation-class sTR5 board and substantial cooling, while the Intel part fits into standard Socket 1700 desktop boards.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has 64 cores and 128 threads. The Intel Core 9 273PTE has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: How large is the performance gap in Cinebench R23?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Threadripper 9980X scores 130529 versus 20445 for the Core 9 273PTE, a 538.4% advantage. In R23 single-core, the AMD part scores 18427 versus 2886, a 538.5% lead.

Q: Does the Intel processor have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 9 273PTE includes UHD Graphics 730. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A.

Q: What memory configurations do these processors support?

A: The Threadripper 9980X supports DDR5 on a quad-channel bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Core 9 273PTE supports DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is the narrowest benchmark margin between the two?

A: PassMark single-thread shows the smallest gap: the AMD part scores 4537 versus 3433, a 32.2% lead. Both the passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread entries record the same result.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals in the database?

A: The Threadripper 9980X's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX at 0.3% higher average score, followed by the Intel Xeon 6781P at 2% behind, AMD EPYC 9575F at 3.2% behind, and AMD EPYC 9734 at 3.6% behind. The Core 9 273PTE's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-12650HX at 0.5% ahead, with the Intel Core i7-12700F at 0.2% behind, AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS at 0.2% behind, and Intel Core i7-13700TE at 0.4% behind.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest recorded margin belongs to PassMark extended instructions. The Threadripper 9980X scores 228959, and the Core 9 273PTE scores 15952. That is a 1335.3% difference, the single biggest win in the dataset. Data compression follows with 2974534 versus 258704, a 1049.8% advantage. Data encryption posts 157137 versus 14253, a 1002.5% lead. Integer math reaches 872071 versus 82411, a 958.2% margin. Random string sorting shows 292083 versus 28973, a 908.1% gap. Floating point math records 559003 versus 60673, an 821.3% advantage.

Cinebench multicore tests are tightly grouped in relative terms. R15 multicore shows 13157 versus 2060, a 538.7% lead. R20 multicore shows 54822 versus 8586, a 538.5% lead. R23 multicore shows 130529 versus 20445, a 538.4% lead. The consistency across R15, R20, and R23 suggests the multicore advantage is stable regardless of the Cinebench version. Single-core Cinebench results behave the same way: R15 single-core delivers 1857 versus 290, a 540.3% lead; R20 single-core delivers 7739 versus 1212, a 538.5% lead; R23 single-core delivers 18427 versus 2886, a 538.5% lead.

PassMark multithread shows 141641 versus 24054, a 488.8% advantage. Prime number finding shows 769 versus 142, a 441.5% lead. Physics shows 8001 versus 1917, a 317.4% margin. The smallest wins are in PassMark single-thread tests, where the AMD part scores 4537 against 3433, a 32.2% lead; both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread record identical scores and margins.

The overall picture from the head-to-head data is one-sided. The Threadripper 9980X wins 17 of 17 tests, and the average benchmark score of 321753 places it far above the Core 9 273PTE's 31143. The AMD part's 99th percentile standing versus the Intel part's 82nd percentile reflects this separation. The Core 9 273PTE's nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i7-12700F at 0.2% behind and the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS at 0.2% behind, sit in a completely different performance band from the Threadripper's rivals, which include the AMD EPYC 9734 at 3.6% behind and the Intel Xeon 6781P at 2% behind.