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

Intel Core 5 220H and Intel Core 9 273PQE are both 12-core Intel processors, but they target different market segments and performance tiers. The Core 5 220H is a mobile part built on Raptor Lake-H, while the Core 9 273PQE is a desktop processor from the Bartlett Lake family. The benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap across every recorded test, with the Core 9 273PQE winning all 17 head-to-head comparisons. The following analysis breaks down the architectural differences, benchmark results, and use-case implications based solely on the recorded data.

FAQ

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: Both processors have 12 cores. The Intel Core 5 220H has 16 threads, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE has 24 threads, indicating the Core 9 supports simultaneous multithreading on more of its cores.

Q: What are the base and boost clock speeds?

A: The Intel Core 5 220H has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Intel Core 9 273PQE has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.90 GHz.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, double the 18 MB shared L3 cache found on the Intel Core 5 220H.

Q: What is the performance percentile ranking for each?

A: The Intel Core 5 220H sits at the 80th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core 9 273PQE ranks at the 93rd percentile.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The Intel Core 5 220H has an average benchmark score of 28574, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE has an average benchmark score of 66099. This places the Core 9 273PQE approximately 131% higher in average score.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 220H does not list ECC memory support in its specifications.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same 10 nm process node and are both manufactured by Intel, but their underlying designs diverge significantly. The Intel Core 5 220H uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-H codename and belongs to the Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. The Intel Core 9 273PQE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 9 (Bartlett Lake) generation.

Both chips have 12 cores, but the thread counts differ: the Core 5 220H offers 16 threads, while the Core 9 273PQE offers 24 threads. This suggests a different core configuration, with the Core 9 273PQE likely having more cores with hyper-threading enabled. The cache hierarchy reflects this distinction. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, but the L3 cache differs substantially: 18 MB shared on the Core 5 220H versus 36 MB shared on the Core 9 273PQE.

Clock speeds also differ. The Core 5 220H operates at a 2.70 GHz base clock and 4.90 GHz boost clock, while the Core 9 273PQE operates at a 3.40 GHz base clock and 5.90 GHz boost clock. The thermal design power (TDP) reflects the desktop versus mobile positioning: the Core 5 220H is rated at 45 W, while the Core 9 273PQE is rated at 125 W.

The platform support differs as well. The Core 5 220H uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket, which is a mobile socket, and the Core 9 273PQE uses the Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket. The Core 5 220H provides PCIe Gen 5 with 8 CPU-only lanes, while the Core 9 273PQE provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU-only lanes. Integrated graphics also differ: the Core 5 220H uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the Core 9 273PQE uses UHD Graphics 770.

Memory support includes DDR4 and DDR5 for both, with dual-channel memory buses. The Core 9 273PQE lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while no memory bandwidth figure is recorded for the Core 5 220H. The Core 9 273PQE also supports ECC memory, which the Core 5 220H does not. The Core 5 220H was released in December 2024, while the Core 9 273PQE was released in March 2026. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a consistent and substantial advantage for the Intel Core 9 273PQE across all 17 recorded comparisons. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core 9 273PQE scores 39190 against the Core 5 220H's 11198, a delta of -71.4% relative to the Core 9. This means the Core 5 220H trails by more than two-thirds in this heavily multithreaded workload.

Single-core performance also favors the Core 9 273PQE significantly. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core 9 273PQE scores 5532 versus 1853 for the Core 5 220H, a delta of -66.5%. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the scores are 557 and 262 respectively, a delta of -53%. The PassMark single-thread test shows a smaller but still decisive gap: 4573 for the Core 9 273PQE versus 3405 for the Core 5 220H, a delta of -25.5%.

Multi-core Cinebench results follow a similar pattern. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Core 9 273PQE scores 16459 against 7812, a delta of -52.5%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the scores are 3950 and 1835, a delta of -53.5%. The PassMark multithread test shows 46107 for the Core 9 273PQE versus 21884 for the Core 5 220H, a delta of -52.5%.

PassMark workloads reveal the breadth of the performance gap. Data compression shows 585752 for the Core 9 273PQE versus 247921 for the Core 5 220H, a delta of -57.7%. Data encryption scores are 29636 and 15216, a delta of -48.7%. Extended instructions score 38743 versus 14642, a delta of -62.2%. Prime number finding scores 198 versus 82, a delta of -58.6%. Floating point math scores 125546 versus 51671, a delta of -58.8%. Integer math scores 164629 versus 73555, a delta of -55.3%. Physics scores 2754 versus 1478, a delta of -46.3%. Random string sorting scores 53167 versus 28438, a delta of -46.5%.

The smallest relative gap is in single-threaded performance, where the Core 9 273PQE leads by 25.5%. The largest relative gap is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core 9 273PQE leads by 71.4%. Across all tests, the Core 5 220H records zero wins, and the Core 9 273PQE records 17 wins.

The Verdict

The data indicates a clear performance hierarchy between these two processors. The Intel Core 9 273PQE outperforms the Intel Core 5 220H in every benchmark category recorded in the database. The average benchmark score of 66099 for the Core 9 273PQE versus 28574 for the Core 5 220H, combined with the 93rd versus 80th percentile ranking, establishes the Core 9 273PQE as the higher-performing part.

The Core 9 273PQE also operates in a different market segment. It is a desktop processor with a 125 W TDP, a 5.90 GHz boost clock, 36 MB of L3 cache, and ECC memory support. The Core 5 220H is a mobile processor with a 45 W TDP, a 4.90 GHz boost clock, 18 MB of L3 cache, and no ECC support. The launch MSRP of the Core 9 273PQE is $589, and the launch MSRP of the Core 5 220H is $342.

For workloads that scale with core count and cache, the Core 9 273PQE delivers dramatically higher scores. For workloads that depend on single-thread speed, the Core 9 273PQE still leads, but by a smaller margin. The Core 5 220H remains the only option for mobile platforms, given its BGA 1744 socket and 45 W TDP, but the benchmark data shows no scenario in which it outperforms the Core 9 273PQE.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show the following differences between the two processors:

• Threads: 16 on the Core 5 220H, 24 on the Core 9 273PQE
• Base clock: 2.70 GHz on the Core 5 220H, 3.40 GHz on the Core 9 273PQE
• Boost clock: 4.90 GHz on the Core 5 220H, 5.90 GHz on the Core 9 273PQE
• TDP: 45 W on the Core 5 220H, 125 W on the Core 9 273PQE
• Socket: Intel BGA 1744 on the Core 5 220H, Intel Socket 1700 on the Core 9 273PQE
• Codename: Raptor Lake-H on the Core 5 220H, Bartlett Lake on the Core 9 273PQE
• Generation: Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) on the Core 5 220H, Core 9 (Bartlett Lake) on the Core 9 273PQE
• L3 cache: 18 MB shared on the Core 5 220H, 36 MB shared on the Core 9 273PQE
• Memory bandwidth: Not recorded for the Core 5 220H, 89.6 GB/s on the Core 9 273PQE
• ECC memory: Not supported on the Core 5 220H, supported on the Core 9 273PQE
• PCIe lanes: 8 CPU-only Gen 5 lanes on the Core 5 220H, 16 CPU-only Gen 5 lanes on the Core 9 273PQE
• Integrated graphics: Iris Xe Graphics 80EU on the Core 5 220H, UHD Graphics 770 on the Core 9 273PQE
• Market segment: Mobile on the Core 5 220H, Desktop on the Core 9 273PQE
• Release date: December 2024 on the Core 5 220H, March 2026 on the Core 9 273PQE
• Launch MSRP: $342 on the Core 5 220H, $589 on the Core 9 273PQE
• Part number: SRQ6SQ5MM on the Core 5 220H, SA4Q9 on the Core 9 273PQE

Both processors share the same core count of 12, the same 10 nm process node, the same Intel foundry, the same L1 cache of 80 KB per core, the same L2 cache of 2 MB per core, the same DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, the same dual-channel memory bus, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 9 273PQE wins in every benchmark category recorded in the database, so a workload-based split favors it across the board. The largest advantages appear in multi-core render workloads, with the Cinebench R23 multi-core score showing a 71.4% lead. The smallest advantage appears in single-threaded PassMark tests, where the lead narrows to 25.5%. Data compression, encryption, extended instruction sets, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, physics, and random string sorting all show leads between 46.3% and 62.2% for the Core 9 273PQE.

The Intel Core 5 220H has no recorded benchmark wins. Its role is defined by its platform rather than its performance. The mobile form factor, 45 W TDP, and BGA 1744 socket make it suitable for laptops and other portable systems. The Core 9 273PQE, with its desktop socket, 125 W TDP, and ECC memory support, is positioned for stationary systems where power draw is less constrained and memory reliability is a priority.

The nearest rivals in the database further contextualize each processor. The Core 5 220H sits near the AMD EPYC 7203P, AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS, Intel Xeon E-2436, and Intel Core i5-12600, with delta percentages ranging from -0.3% to 0.2%. The Core 9 273PQE sits near the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus, AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, and AMD EPYC 4465P, with delta percentages ranging from -1.2% to 0.3%. These groupings confirm that the Core 9 273PQE competes in a higher performance tier than the Core 5 220H.