Intel Core 5 213PE vs Intel Core 9 273PE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core 5 213PE and the Intel Core 9 273PE is decisively lopsided. Across the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, the Core 9 273PE claims 15 wins, while the Core 5 213PE takes only 2. The margin of victory for the Core 9 is substantial in nearly every multi-threaded and compute-heavy workload.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 9 273PE scores 31,288 points versus 22,468 for the Core 5 213PE, a 28.2% advantage. The single-core result follows a similar pattern: 4,417 points for the Core 9 against 3,172 for the Core 5, again a 28.2% gap. This consistency extends through the entire Cinebench suite. R20 multi-core shows 13,140 versus 9,436 (28.2% delta), R20 single-core shows 1,855 versus 1,332 (28.2% delta), R15 multi-core shows 3,153 versus 2,264 (28.2% delta), and R15 single-core shows 445 versus 319 (28.3% delta). The uniform percentage across these tests indicates the performance difference scales linearly with the core count and clock behavior.

The PassMark suite reveals where the Core 9 pulls even further ahead. The physics test is the largest single delta: 3,120 for the Core 9 versus 1,624 for the Core 5, a 47.9% lead. Prime number finding shows a 43.8% advantage (203 versus 114). Floating point math delivers a 36.4% gap (107,884 versus 68,587), while integer math trails at 33.9% (139,410 versus 92,089). Data encryption shows a 29.9% edge (22,719 versus 15,916). Random string sorting is 29.0% faster (45,098 versus 32,027). Multithreaded throughput is 28.2% higher (36,810 versus 26,434). Data compression shows a 26.4% improvement (405,885 versus 298,804). Extended instructions are 20.6% faster (24,630 versus 19,565).

The sole bright spot for the Core 5 213PE is PassMark single-thread performance. It scores 4,060 points against 3,650 for the Core 9, an 11.2% advantage. This result appears twice in the database (as both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread), confirming the measurement. The Core 5 achieves this despite a lower boost clock, which suggests its per-core efficiency is meaningfully better under single-threaded load. However, this single win does little to offset the breadth of the Core 9's dominance.

Aggregate scores reinforce the hierarchy. The Core 9 273PE holds an average benchmark score of 49,845 and sits at the 90th percentile among all CPUs. The Core 5 213PE averages 35,428 and lands at the 85th percentile. The Core 9's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 (0.1% ahead), the Intel Core i5-14600KF (0.9% behind), and the Intel Core i9-13980HX (1.1% ahead in its average score). The Core 5's closest competitors are the Intel Core i7-13700T (0.1% ahead), the Intel Core i7-12700KF (0.2% ahead), the Intel Core i5-13600T (0.3% ahead), and the Intel Core i7-12700K (0.4% ahead). Both processors sit tightly within their respective peer groups, but the absolute gap between the two is wide.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests. The Intel Core 5 213PE wins only the two PassMark single-thread tests, with an 11.2% margin in each.

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

A: The PassMark physics test shows the biggest divergence. The Core 9 273PE scores 3,120 against 1,624 for the Core 5 213PE, a 47.9% difference. Prime number finding follows at 43.8%.

Q: Is the Core 5 213PE faster in any meaningful workload?

A: Yes, in single-threaded PassMark tests the Core 5 213PE scores 4,060 versus 3,650 for the Core 9 273PE, an 11.2% lead. The database records this result twice, confirming consistency.

Q: How do the aggregate scores compare?

A: The Core 9 273PE has an average benchmark score of 49,845, placing it at the 90th percentile. The Core 5 213PE averages 35,428, placing it at the 85th percentile. The Core 9 is roughly 40% higher in average score.

Q: What do the Cinebench results indicate about scaling?

A: The Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests all show approximately a 28.2% advantage for the Core 9 273PE in both single-core and multi-core workloads. This uniformity suggests the performance difference is structural rather than workload-dependent.

Q: Where does each processor rank among its closest rivals?

A: The Core 5 213PE is within 0.4% of the Intel Core i7-12700K and within 0.1% of the Intel Core i7-13700T. The Core 9 273PE is within 1.1% of the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 and within 1.2% of the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental design lineage. They use the Bartlett Lake codename, are built on Intel's 10 nm process node, and are manufactured by Intel. Both use the Intel Socket 1700 and support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. ECC memory is supported on both, and both integrate UHD Graphics 730. PCIe connectivity is identical: Gen 5 with 16 CPU-only lanes. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both share the same release date of 2026-03-08.

The core configuration is the primary architectural divergence. The Core 9 273PE packs 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Core 5 213PE has 8 cores and 16 threads. This 50% increase in core count directly drives the multi-threaded benchmark deltas. The L3 cache scales accordingly: the Core 9 has 36 MB shared L3, while the Core 5 has 24 MB. Per-core L1 and L2 caches are identical at 80 KB and 2 MB per core respectively.

Clock speeds differ in both directions. The Core 9 273PE has a lower base clock of 2.30 GHz versus 2.70 GHz for the Core 5 213PE, but a higher boost clock of 5.70 GHz versus 5.20 GHz. The Core 5's higher base clock helps explain its single-thread PassMark win, while the Core 9's higher boost and additional cores explain the rest. Memory bandwidth also scales with the larger cache and core count: the Core 9 reaches 89.6 GB/s, while the Core 5 achieves 76.8 GB/s.

The TDP is identical at 65 watts for both, which makes the Core 9's performance lead notable given the same power envelope. The Core 9's part number is SA4QD, and the Core 5's is SA4QG. Both are classified as desktop market segment parts with active production status.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 213PE | Intel Core 9 273PE |

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

| Cores | 8 | 12 |

| Threads | 16 | 24 |

| Base clock | 2.70 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.70 GHz |

| L3 cache | 24 MB shared | 36 MB shared |

| Memory bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| Launch MSRP | $221 | $549 |

| Part number | SA4QG | SA4QD |

All other recorded specifications are identical: socket, process node, foundry, L1 and L2 cache sizes, memory support, memory bus, ECC support, PCIe lanes, integrated graphics, market segment, production status, release date, and unlocked multiplier status.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward selection for compute-heavy workloads. The Intel Core 9 273PE dominates the Intel Core 5 213PE across Cinebench multi-core and single-core tests, PassMark multithreaded throughput, physics simulation, integer and floating point math, data compression and encryption, prime number finding, extended instructions, and random string sorting. Its 90th percentile ranking against all CPUs, average benchmark score of 49,845, and consistent 20% to 48% margins in most tests make it the clearly stronger processor for rendering, simulation, and data processing tasks.

The Intel Core 5 213PE has one measurable advantage: single-threaded PassMark performance. Its 4,060 score versus 3,650 for the Core 9 represents an 11.2% edge. For workloads that depend almost exclusively on single-core speed and cannot leverage additional threads, the Core 5 is the better choice based on this metric. Its higher base clock of 2.70 GHz versus 2.30 GHz supports this result. The Core 5 also sits at the 85th percentile, which is still strong, but its average score of 35,428 is well below the Core 9's 49,845.

The 65 watt TDP is identical for both, so the Core 9's performance advantage does not come at the cost of a higher thermal envelope. The Core 9 uses 12 cores versus 8, 36 MB L3 versus 24 MB, and a higher boost clock of 5.70 GHz versus 5.20 GHz to achieve its results. The Core 5's higher base clock makes it the better single-thread performer, but that is the only category it wins.

For buyers prioritizing multi-threaded throughput, the Core 9 273PE is the data-backed choice. For those with strictly single-threaded workloads where the 11.2% PassMark lead matters, the Core 5 213PE is defensible. The nearest rival data shows both processors are competitive within their respective tiers, but the Core 9 operates in a higher performance class entirely.