Intel Core 5 213PTE vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data records 17 direct comparisons between these two processors, and the results are decisively lopsided. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins 16 of the 17 tests, while the Intel Core 5 213PTE claims a single victory. The average benchmark score difference is substantial: the Core Ultra 9 posts an average score of 79,574 against 32,924 for the Core 5, a gap that places them 12 percentile points apart overall (95th versus 83rd percentile among all CPUs).

The largest margin comes in data encryption, where the Core Ultra 9 scores 50,008 against 14,413, a 71.2% advantage. This is followed closely by the prime number finding test, where the Core Ultra 9 delivers 519 versus 157, a 69.7% lead. Extended instructions show a 68.5% gap (51,290 versus 16,146), and floating point math favors the Core Ultra 9 by 64.5% (201,773 versus 71,722). Data compression shows a 60.4% difference (658,724 versus 261,083), while random string sorting trails at 62.5% in favor of the Core Ultra 9 (80,327 versus 30,106).

The Cinebench multicore results follow the same pattern. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core Ultra 9 scores 5,981 versus 2,192, a 63.4% lead. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 21,198 versus 9,135, a 56.9% difference, and Cinebench R23 multicore records 39,684 versus 21,751, a 45.2% advantage. The PassMark multithread test confirms the trend with 59,439 versus 25,590, again a 56.9% gap. Integer math shows a 43.5% lead (164,839 versus 93,109), and physics testing favors the Core Ultra 9 by 35.1% (3,387 versus 2,199).

Single-threaded performance is closer but still favors the Core Ultra 9 in most tests. PassMark single thread scores 4,951 versus 3,718, a 24.9% difference. Cinebench R15 single core shows 340 versus 309, only a 9.1% margin. Cinebench R20 single core records 2,992 versus 1,289, a 56.9% gap. The one exception is Cinebench R23 single core, where the Core 5 wins decisively: 3,070 versus 2,356, a 30.3% advantage for the Core 5.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design families. The Core 5 213PTE is based on Bartlett Lake, built on Intel's 10 nm process. It uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform and is classified as a desktop part. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, codenamed Arrow Lake-HX Refresh, manufactured by TSMC on a 3 nm process. It uses Intel BGA 2114 and is classified as a mobile part.

The core configurations differ sharply. The Core 5 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Core Ultra 9 has 24 cores and 24 threads. This means the Core Ultra 9 has three times the physical core count but no hyperthreading, so its thread count equals its core count. The Core 5 uses hyperthreading to double its thread count from 8 to 16.

Cache hierarchies also diverge significantly. The Core 5 provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 9 offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 9 also carries a transistor count of 17,800 million on a 243 mm² die, while the Core 5 has no recorded transistor or die size data.

Memory support differs as well. The Core 5 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 9 supports DDR5 exclusively. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Core Ultra 9 achieves 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth versus 76.8 GB/s for the Core 5. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity favors the Core Ultra 9 with Gen 5 and 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 5 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

The integrated graphics differ: the Core 5 uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 9 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The multiplier is locked on the Core 5 but unlocked on the Core Ultra 9. Release dates are close, with the Core 5 launching on March 8, 2026, and the Core Ultra 9 on March 16, 2026.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus dominates in every multithreaded workload recorded. Its 24 physical cores deliver massive advantages in data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, and multithreaded synthesis. The Cinebench multicore scores confirm this: the Core Ultra 9 leads by margins ranging from 45.2% to 63.4% across R15, R20, and R23. This processor is built for parallel workloads where core count translates directly into throughput.

The Core Ultra 9 also wins most single-threaded tests, but by smaller margins in Cinebench R15 (9.1%) and PassMark (24.9%). The Cinebench R20 single core result is an outlier at 56.9%, which is unusually large for a single-threaded test and suggests measurement conditions that differ from the other single-core tests.

The Core 5 213PTE claims exactly one win: Cinebench R23 single core, where it scores 3,070 against 2,356, a 30.3% advantage. This is a notable result because it indicates that the Core 5's single-core architecture, despite lower boost clock (5.20 GHz versus 5.50 GHz), can outperform the Core Ultra 9 in a specific rendering workload. The Core 5 also holds a 45-watt TDP versus 55 watts for the Core Ultra 9, which suggests it achieves this single-core win with lower power draw.

For desktop users with Socket 1700 motherboards, the Core 5 fits an established platform. For mobile users, the Core Ultra 9 is the only option of the two, given its BGA 2114 socket. The Core 5's support for DDR4 memory provides an upgrade path for systems with older memory, while the Core Ultra 9 requires DDR5.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 213PTE | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |

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

| Cores | 8 | 24 |

| Threads | 16 | 24 |

| Base clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2114 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake-HX Refresh |

| Process node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| Die size | Not recorded | 243 mm² |

| L1 cache | 80 KB per core | 192 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 2 MB per core | 3 MB per core |

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

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC support | Yes | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 lanes | Gen 5, 20 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Multiplier | Locked | Unlocked |

| Release date | March 8, 2026 | March 16, 2026 |

| Launch MSRP | $221 | Not recorded |

The Core 5 has a launch MSRP of $221. The Core Ultra 9 has no recorded launch MSRP. The Core 5 uses the SA4QM part number; the Core Ultra 9 uses SADSS.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores, while the Intel Core 5 213PTE has 8 cores. The Core Ultra 9 also has more threads at 24 versus 16.

Q: Where does the Core 5 outperform the Core Ultra 9?

A: The Core 5 wins only in Cinebench R23 single core, scoring 3,070 versus 2,356, a 30.3% advantage. It also has a lower TDP at 45 watts versus 55 watts.

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

A: The largest margin is in PassMark data encryption, where the Core Ultra 9 scores 50,008 versus 14,413, a 71.2% lead.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Core 5 and the Core Ultra 9 support ECC memory. Both also use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: What sockets do these processors use?

A: The Core 5 uses Intel Socket 1700, which is a desktop platform. The Core Ultra 9 uses Intel BGA 2114, which is a mobile platform.

Q: How do their integrated graphics compare?

A: The Core 5 uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 9 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The Core Ultra 9 also has more PCIe lanes at 20 versus 16.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the faster processor in 16 of 17 benchmark comparisons, with an average benchmark score of 79,574 that places it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-14900KF (0.3% faster) and the Intel Core i9-14900K (0.6% slower), which places it in flagship desktop territory despite its mobile classification.

The Intel Core 5 213PTE, with an average score of 32,924, sits in the 83rd percentile. Its nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G (0.5% faster), the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D (0.5% faster), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H (0.3% slower), and the Intel Core i7-12700 (0.1% slower). This places the Core 5 in the upper mid-range of desktop processors.

The Core Ultra 9 is the choice for multithreaded workloads, mobile platforms, and users who need maximum core count. Its 24 cores, 36 MB of L3 cache, and 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth deliver the highest scores in every multi-core benchmark recorded. The unlocked multiplier also permits frequency adjustment, though the data does not include overclocking results.

The Core 5 suits desktop builds on Socket 1700, particularly those with DDR4 memory already installed. Its single Cinebench R23 single-core win demonstrates that it can beat the Core Ultra 9 in at least one rendering scenario, and its lower TDP makes it a more power-efficient option. The $221 launch MSRP provides a reference point for its market positioning. Users with existing Socket 1700 motherboards and DDR4 memory can adopt the Core 5 without platform changes. Users requiring maximum throughput, especially in data compression, encryption, and floating point work, should select the Core Ultra 9 based on the benchmark evidence.