Intel Core 5 220H vs Intel Core 9 273PE Comparison

# Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core 9 273PE wins every recorded test in the database, 17 out of 17 head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core 5 220H does not secure a single victory across Cinebench R15, R20, R23, or any PassMark workload. This is not a close contest where each chip claims specific territory; the Core 9 dominates all measured categories.

The largest margins appear in heavily threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core 9 273PE scores 31288 against the Core 5 220H's 11198, a delta of 64.2 percent. That gap reflects the Core 9's ability to scale across more threads and its larger shared cache. The Core 5 220H, with 12 cores and 16 threads, simply cannot keep pace when the workload expands to fill available execution resources.

Single-threaded performance tells a different story in terms of magnitude. The Core 9 273PE leads by only 6.7 percent in PassMark single-thread tests, scoring 3650 versus 3405. This suggests that while the Core 9 has a higher boost clock of 5.70 GHz compared to the Core 5's 4.90 GHz, the per-core architecture advantage is modest. The Cinebench R23 single-core result shows a larger gap of 58 percent, with scores of 4417 and 1853 respectively, indicating that the Core 9's architectural enhancements deliver more substantial gains in certain single-threaded rendering scenarios.

For tasks like data encryption, compression, and extended instruction processing, the Core 9 leads by 33 to 40.6 percent. Integer math and floating point operations show the Core 9 ahead by 47.2 and 52.1 percent respectively. Prime number finding, a test sensitive to both clock speed and instruction efficiency, shows the Core 9 at 203 versus 82, a 59.6 percent advantage.

# Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same manufacturing process node at 10 nm and both come from Intel, but the underlying designs diverge considerably. The Core 5 220H uses the Raptor Lake architecture under the Raptor Lake-H codename, part of the Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. The Core 9 273PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename under the Core 9 (Bartlett Lake) generation. Both have 12 cores, but the thread counts differ: the Core 5 supports 16 threads while the Core 9 supports 24 threads, meaning the Core 9 employs simultaneous multithreading on more of its core configuration.

Cache hierarchy shows a major difference. Both processors list 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, but the L3 cache doubles from 18 MB shared on the Core 5 to 36 MB shared on the Core 9. This larger shared pool likely contributes to the Core 9's substantial lead in multi-threaded and data-heavy workloads.

Clock specifications place the Core 9 higher on both ends despite a lower base clock. The Core 5 220H runs at 2.70 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost, while the Core 9 273PE runs at 2.30 GHz base and 5.70 GHz boost. The Core 9's higher boost ceiling explains part of its single-threaded advantage, while its larger thread count and cache explain the multicore dominance.

Platform support differs as well. The Core 5 220H uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket and targets the mobile segment, while the Core 9 273PE uses the Intel Socket 1700 and targets the desktop segment. The Core 9 supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the Core 5. PCIe lane availability also differs: the Core 5 offers Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 9 offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Memory bandwidth is listed at 89.6 GB/s for the Core 9, while the Core 5 has no recorded bandwidth figure.

Integrated graphics differ as well: the Core 5 220H carries Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the Core 9 273PE carries UHD Graphics 730. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus.

Release timing shows the Core 5 220H launched on 2024-12-17, while the Core 9 273PE launched later on 2026-03-08.

# FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE supports 24 threads across its 12 cores, while the Intel Core 5 220H supports 16 threads across the same number of cores.

Q: How large is the L3 cache difference?

A: The Core 5 220H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core 9 273PE has 36 MB, exactly double the capacity.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Core 9 273PE supports ECC memory, while the Core 5 220H does not.

Q: Which socket does each processor use?

A: The Core 5 220H uses Intel BGA 1744, while the Core 9 273PE uses Intel Socket 1700.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds?

A: The Core 5 220H boosts to 4.90 GHz, while the Core 9 273PE boosts higher to 5.70 GHz.

Q: How does the Core 9 compare in the PassMark single-thread test?

A: The Core 9 273PE scores 3650 versus the Core 5 220H's 3405, a 6.7 percent lead.

# Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 220H | Intel Core 9 273PE |

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

| Threads | 16 | 24 |

| Base clock | 2.70 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.90 GHz | 5.70 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-H | Bartlett Lake |

| Generation | Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) | Core 9 (Bartlett Lake) |

| L3 cache | 18 MB (shared) | 36 MB (shared) |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

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

| Integrated graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release date | 2024-12-17 | 2026-03-08 |

| Launch MSRP | $342 | $549 |

# Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results establish the overall shape of the comparison. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core 9 273PE scores 31288 against 11198, a 64.2 percent margin. This is the largest recorded gap in the entire benchmark set. The R23 single-core test shows the Core 9 at 4417 versus 1853, a 58 percent lead. These two results alone indicate that the Core 9 does not merely scale better with threads; it also delivers substantially higher per-core rendering performance.

Cinebench R20 follows a similar pattern. Multicore scores of 13140 against 7812 give the Core 9 a 40.5 percent lead, while single-core scores of 1855 against 1102 produce a 40.6 percent margin. Cinebench R15 shows the Core 9 ahead by 41.8 percent in multicore (3153 versus 1835) and 41.1 percent in single-core (445 versus 262).

PassMark workloads reveal where the Core 9's advantages concentrate. Data compression favors the Core 9 by 38.9 percent, with scores of 405885 versus 247921. Data encryption shows a 33 percent lead at 22719 versus 15216. Extended instructions score 24630 versus 14642, a 40.6 percent gap. Floating point math puts the Core 9 at 107884 against 51671, a 52.1 percent advantage. Integer math shows 139410 versus 73555, a 47.2 percent margin. Physics simulation scores 3120 versus 1478, a 52.6 percent lead.

The closest result in the entire comparison is PassMark single-thread, where the Core 9 leads by just 6.7 percent (3650 versus 3405). This narrow margin suggests that for lightly threaded workloads, the two processors are comparatively close, though the Core 9 still wins. Random string sorting gives the Core 9 a 36.9 percent edge with 45098 versus 28438. Prime number finding shows the Core 9 at 203 versus 82, a 59.6 percent lead.

The average benchmark score in the database places the Core 9 273PE at 49845, which ranks in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. The Core 5 220H averages 28574, ranking in the 80th percentile. The Core 9's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 (delta 0.1 percent), Intel Core i5-14600KF (delta 0.9 percent), Intel Core i9-13980HX (delta -1.1 percent), and AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 (delta -1.2 percent). The Core 5's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7203P (delta 0 percent), AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS (delta 0.1 percent), Intel Xeon E-2436 (delta 0.2 percent), and Intel Core i5-12600 (delta -0.3 percent).

# The Verdict

The recorded data supports a clear conclusion: the Intel Core 9 273PE is the superior processor in every benchmark category measured. It wins all 17 head-to-head tests, holds a 90th percentile ranking versus the Core 5's 80th percentile, and delivers its largest wins in multi-threaded rendering, floating point math, and prime number calculation. The Core 9's 24 threads, 36 MB of L3 cache, 5.70 GHz boost clock, and 65 W TDP combine to produce an average benchmark score of 49845, which is 74.5 percent higher than the Core 5's 28574.

The Intel Core 5 220H, however, occupies a different position in the market. It uses the mobile BGA 1744 socket, carries Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, and runs at a lower 45 W TDP. Its 12 cores and 16 threads place it in the 80th percentile, with an average score of 28574. The Core 5's closest rivals in the database, such as the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS and Intel Xeon E-2436, cluster within 0.2 percent, indicating that the Core 5 sits in a competitive mid-range segment.

The Core 9 273PE belongs to the desktop segment with Socket 1700, supports ECC memory, offers 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, and lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. It launched on 2026-03-08 with a launch MSRP of $549. The Core 5 220H launched on 2024-12-17 with a launch MSRP of $342.

For workloads that stress many threads, large datasets, or sustained rendering, the Core 9 273PE is the clear choice based on the data. Its 64.2 percent lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and 52.1 percent lead in floating point math demonstrate a substantial performance tier above the Core 5. For users constrained to a mobile platform, the Core 5 220H remains a capable option, but the benchmark evidence shows it trails the Core 9 across every measured workload. The narrow 6.7 percent single-thread margin in PassMark is the only area where the two processors approach parity.