Intel Core 3 100U vs Intel Core 9 273PE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a complete sweep. The Intel Core 9 273PE wins all 17 recorded comparisons, with the closest margins appearing in single-threaded workloads and the largest gaps in multi-core and math-heavy tests.

In Cinebench R23, the Core 9 273PE scores 31,288 points in multi-core versus 10,624 for the Core 3 100U, a 66 percent advantage. The single-core result follows the same pattern: 4,417 for the Core 9 273PE against 1,499, a 66.1 percent lead. Cinebench R20 shows nearly identical deltas, with the Core 9 273PE at 13,140 multi-core and 1,855 single-core, while the Core 3 100U manages 4,462 and 629 respectively. The R15 results continue the trend, with the Core 9 273PE reaching 3,153 multi-core and 445 single-core, versus 1,070 and 150 for the Core 3 100U.

PassMark integer math shows the Core 9 273PE at 139,410 against 39,580 for the Core 3 100U, a 71.6 percent gap. Floating point math is even more lopsided: 107,884 versus 28,322, a 73.7 percent difference. The largest single delta appears in the find prime numbers test, where the Core 9 273PE scores 203 versus 52, a 74.4 percent lead. Extended instructions show a 67.9 percent gap, with the Core 9 273PE at 24,630 and the Core 3 100U at 7,894.

Data compression favors the Core 9 273PE by 66.4 percent, with scores of 405,885 and 136,497. Data encryption shows a slightly smaller gap at 64.2 percent, with 22,719 versus 8,128. Random string sorting sits at 45,098 for the Core 9 273PE and 15,191 for the Core 3 100U, a 66.3 percent difference. PassMark multi-thread performance records 36,810 against 12,522, a 66 percent gap, and physics simulation shows 3,120 versus 876, a 71.9 percent lead.

The only close contest is PassMark single-thread performance. The Core 9 273PE records 3,650, while the Core 3 100U reaches 3,506. That is a 3.9 percent margin, which is modest compared with the multi-core results. This indicates that for lightly threaded tasks, the architectural advantage of the Core 9 273PE is smaller, though it still wins.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design families. The Core 3 100U uses Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-U codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process. The Core 9 273PE uses Bartlett Lake architecture, also on a 10 nm node, but with a different codename and generation designation.

Core counts differ substantially. The Core 3 100U provides 6 cores and 8 threads. The Core 9 273PE doubles the core count to 12 and triples the thread count to 24. This thread advantage is the primary driver behind the large multi-core benchmark gaps.

Cache configurations also diverge. Both share the same L1 cache size at 80 KB per core. The L2 cache differs: the Core 3 100U has 1.25 MB per core, while the Core 9 273PE has 2 MB per core. The shared L3 cache is 10 MB for the Core 3 100U and 36 MB for the Core 9 273PE, a 3.6x difference that helps with larger working sets.

Clock speeds favor the Core 9 273PE in both base and boost operation. The Core 3 100U runs at 1.20 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost. The Core 9 273PE runs at 2.30 GHz base and 5.70 GHz boost. The boost clock advantage is 1 GHz, which explains part of the single-thread performance gap.

Memory support is similar on paper: both accept DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode. The Core 9 273PE lists a memory bandwidth figure of 89.6 GB/s, while the Core 3 100U does not report one. The Core 9 273PE also supports ECC memory, while the Core 3 100U does not.

PCIe capabilities differ. The Core 3 100U provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The Core 9 273PE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, which doubles both the lane count and the interface generation.

Integrated graphics are present on both. The Core 3 100U uses UHD Graphics 64EU. The Core 9 273PE uses UHD Graphics 730. The database does not record benchmark scores for the iGPU, so the comparison is limited to naming.

The Core 3 100U is classified as a Mobile part and uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket. The Core 9 273PE is a Desktop part on Intel Socket 1700. The Core 3 100U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Core 9 273PE has a TDP of 65 watts. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Release dates differ by roughly two years. The Core 3 100U entered production status in January 2024. The Core 9 273PE entered in March 2026. Both are currently listed as Active.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a clear distinction. The Core 9 273PE is the stronger processor in every measured workload, with a 90th percentile ranking among all CPUs versus the 70th percentile for the Core 3 100U. Its average benchmark score is 49,845, while the Core 3 100U averages 16,148.

The Core 3 100U sits among rivals like the Intel Core i7-10850H (average score 16,204, 0.3 percent ahead) and the AMD Ryzen 5 4600H (average score 16,341, 1.2 percent ahead). The Core 9 273PE competes with the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 (average score 49,796, 0.1 percent behind) and the Intel Core i5-14600KF (average score 49,394, 0.9 percent behind). The Core 9 273PE also edges out the Intel Core i9-13980HX by 1.1 percent.

For anyone choosing between these two, the decision hinges on the use case. The Core 3 100U is a low-power mobile part with 6 cores and a 15 watt TDP. It suits thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermal limits matter more than raw throughput. The Core 9 273PE is a desktop part with 12 cores, 24 threads, and a 65 watt TDP. It suits workloads that scale across cores, such as rendering, compilation, and heavy multi-tasking.

The single-thread test results narrow the gap but do not close it. The Core 9 273PE leads by only 3.9 percent in PassMark single-thread performance, which suggests that older or lightly threaded applications will see a smaller benefit from upgrading. Multi-threaded applications will see the full advantage, typically around 66 percent or more.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 3 100U | Intel Core 9 273PE |

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

| Cores | 6 | 12 |

| Threads | 8 | 24 |

| Base clock | 1.20 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.70 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-U | Bartlett Lake |

| Generation | Core 3 (Raptor Lake-U) | Core 9 (Bartlett Lake) |

| L2 cache | 1.25 MB per core | 2 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 10 MB shared | 36 MB shared |

| Memory bandwidth | Not reported | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 lanes | Gen 5, 16 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 64EU | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Launch MSRP | $426 | $549 |

| Part number | SRMYL | SA4QD |

Both use 10 nm process, Intel as foundry, 80 KB L1 per core, DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, and are not multiplier unlocked.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 3 100U has 6 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How much faster is the Core 9 273PE in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Core 9 273PE scores 31,288 versus 10,624 for the Core 3 100U, a 66 percent advantage.

Q: Is the single-thread performance gap as large as the multi-thread gap?

A: No. In PassMark single-thread, the Core 9 273PE leads by only 3.9 percent (3,650 versus 3,506). In Cinebench R23 single-core, the gap is 66.1 percent (4,417 versus 1,499).

Q: What memory features does the Core 9 273PE support that the Core 3 100U does not?

A: The Core 9 273PE supports ECC memory and reports 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Core 3 100U does not support ECC and has no reported bandwidth figure.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core 9 273PE boosts to 5.70 GHz, while the Core 3 100U boosts to 4.70 GHz.

Q: How do the two processors rank against all CPUs?

A: The Core 9 273PE ranks in the 90th percentile, while the Core 3 100U ranks in the 70th percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 9 273PE wins every recorded benchmark against the Core 3 100U. The largest margins appear in CPU-intensive parallel workloads. Find prime numbers shows a 74.4 percent lead, floating point math shows 73.7 percent, and physics simulation shows 71.9 percent. These are workloads that benefit from the extra 6 cores and 16 threads.

The Core 9 273PE also leads in data-oriented tasks. Data compression shows a 66.4 percent advantage, data encryption shows 64.2 percent, and random string sorting shows 66.3 percent. Extended instructions show a 67.9 percent lead. Integer math shows 71.6 percent. These results indicate that the Core 9 273PE handles both arithmetic and memory-heavy workloads with substantially more throughput.

The Core 3 100U does not win any recorded benchmark. Its strongest relative result is PassMark single-thread, where it trails by only 3.9 percent. This means that in very lightly threaded applications, the practical difference between the two processors shrinks considerably. The Core 3 100U also has a much lower TDP at 15 watts versus 65 watts, which makes it suitable for mobile systems where power draw and heat output are constrained.

For desktop users running multi-threaded applications, the Core 9 273PE is the clear choice based on the data. For mobile users who need basic responsiveness and long battery life, the Core 3 100U remains viable despite its lower scores. The single-thread test results suggest that everyday tasks like web browsing and document editing will not show the full performance gap, but any workload that scales across cores will strongly favor the Core 9 273PE.