Intel Core 5 320 vs Intel Core 9 273PE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data records 17 head-to-head comparisons between the Intel Core 5 320 and the Intel Core 9 273PE. The Intel Core 9 273PE wins 15 of those tests, while the Intel Core 5 320 wins only 2. The margin of victory in nearly every case is substantial, often exceeding 50% in favor of the Core 9 273PE.

The most pronounced difference appears in multi-core rendering workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 9 273PE scores 31288 against 6197 for the Core 5 320, a delta of -80.2% (meaning the Core 5 320 trails by 80.2%). Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a similar pattern: 13140 versus 5462, a -58.4% delta. Cinebench R15 multi-core records 3153 versus 1054, a -66.6% delta. These results indicate that in heavily threaded rendering tasks, the Core 9 273PE delivers roughly three to five times the throughput of the Core 5 320.

Single-core Cinebench results also favor the Core 9 273PE, though by smaller margins. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core 9 273PE scores 4417 versus 1926, a -56.4% delta. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 1855 versus 771, a -58.4% delta. Cinebench R15 single-core records 445 versus 276, a -38% delta. While the single-core advantage is smaller than the multi-core advantage, it remains decisive in every Cinebench iteration.

PassMark integer math shows the largest relative gap. The Core 9 273PE scores 139410 against 32323 for the Core 5 320, a -76.8% delta. Floating point math follows: 107884 versus 42440, a -60.7% delta. Data compression also heavily favors the Core 9 273PE: 405885 versus 148779, a -63.3% delta. Data encryption shows 22719 versus 10984, a -51.7% delta. Extended instructions record 24630 versus 13262, a -46.2% delta. Prime number finding scores 203 versus 110, a -45.8% delta. Multithreaded PassMark scores 36810 versus 15450, a -58% delta. Physics simulation records 3120 versus 1221, a -60.9% delta. Random string sorting shows 45098 versus 18038, a -60% delta.

The only two tests where the Intel Core 5 320 wins are PassMark single-thread and PassMark singlethread, which record identical scores of 4045 versus 3650 for the Core 9 273PE. That represents a 10.8% advantage for the Core 5 320 in single-threaded PassMark workloads. This is a notable result, as it indicates the Core 5 320 has superior per-core performance in this specific test, despite its much lower core count and thread count.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect the wide performance gap. The Core 9 273PE has an average benchmark score of 49845, while the Core 5 320 has an average of 18023. In terms of percentile ranking among all CPUs in the database, the Core 9 273PE sits at the 90th percentile, while the Core 5 320 sits at the 72nd percentile.

The Verdict

The data clearly separates these two processors by workload type and intended use case. The Intel Core 9 273PE is the dominant choice for any multi-threaded application. Its 12 cores and 24 threads, combined with a 5.70 GHz boost clock, deliver massive parallel throughput. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 31288 places it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 (avg score 49796, delta 0.1%), the Intel Core i5-14600KF (avg score 49394, delta 0.9%), the Intel Core i9-13980HX (avg score 50398, delta -1.1%), and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 (avg score 50448, delta -1.2%). These deltas are all within 1.2% of the Core 9 273PE average score, meaning it sits in a tightly competitive cluster at the top of the desktop performance range.

The Intel Core 5 320, by contrast, has an average benchmark score of 18023, placing it near processors like the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (avg 17994, delta 0.2%), the Intel Core 5 120U (avg 17898, delta 0.7%), the Intel Core i5-1334U (avg 18154, delta -0.7%), and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (avg 17891, delta 0.7%). All of these rivals are within 0.7% of the Core 5 320, indicating it sits in a mid-range performance band.

The Core 5 320 does hold a single-thread advantage in PassMark, scoring 4045 versus 3650 for the Core 9 273PE. That 10.8% lead suggests that for light, single-threaded tasks, the Core 5 320 may feel slightly snappier. However, this is the only recorded metric where it leads, and the Core 9 273PE leads by much larger margins in every multi-threaded and most single-threaded Cinebench tests.

The production status for both processors is Active. The Core 5 320 targets the Mobile segment with a 15 TDP, while the Core 9 273PE targets the Desktop segment with a 65 TDP. The data shows that the Core 9 273PE is the appropriate choice for users running rendering, data compression, encryption, or math-heavy workloads. The Core 5 320, while competitive in its own segment, does not come close to matching the Core 9 273PE in any multi-threaded metric. Its only recorded win is in PassMark single-thread, which is a narrow niche in the overall benchmark picture.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different underlying architectures. The Intel Core 5 320 uses the Wildcat Lake codename and is manufactured on a 3 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The Intel Core 9 273PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is manufactured on a 10 nm process node, also at Intel's foundry. The process node difference is significant: 3 nm versus 10 nm suggests the Core 5 320 uses a more advanced manufacturing process, which likely contributes to its higher single-thread PassMark score despite lower core counts.

Cache organization differs substantially. The Core 5 320 has a total L1 cache of 192 KB, an L2 cache of 2.5 MB, and a shared L3 cache of 6 MB. The Core 9 273PE has an L1 cache of 80 KB per core, an L2 cache of 2 MB per core, and a shared L3 cache of 36 MB. Per-core cache sizes favor the Core 9 273PE in L1 and L2, while the aggregate L3 cache is six times larger on the Core 9 273PE (36 MB versus 6 MB). This larger shared cache likely contributes to the Core 9 273PE's superior multi-threaded performance.

Memory support differs as well. The Core 5 320 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, while the Core 9 273PE supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Core 5 320 uses a single-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The Core 9 273PE uses a dual-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Core 9 273PE also supports ECC memory, while the Core 5 320 does not.

PCI Express capabilities differ. The Core 5 320 provides PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 9 273PE provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Core 9 273PE offers both a newer PCIe generation and more than double the lane count.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 5 320 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The Core 9 273PE uses UHD Graphics 730. The data does not include graphics benchmarks, so no performance comparison is possible from the recorded measurements.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ substantially. The Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Core 9 273PE therefore offers double the cores and four times the threads, which directly explains its large multi-threaded benchmark advantage.

Base and boost clock speeds also differ. The Core 5 320 has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The Core 9 273PE has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. The Core 9 273PE has a higher base clock by 0.80 GHz and a higher boost clock by 1.10 GHz.

Thermal design power differs significantly. The Core 5 320 has a TDP of 15, while the Core 9 273PE has a TDP of 65. This higher power envelope on the Core 9 273PE is consistent with its higher core count and clock speeds.

The socket type differs. The Core 5 320 uses Intel BGA 1516, while the Core 9 273PE uses Intel Socket 1700. The Core 5 320 is a mobile part, while the Core 9 273PE is a desktop part, which explains the different socket requirements.

Release dates differ by roughly one month. The Core 9 273PE has a release date of 2026-03-08, while the Core 5 320 has a release date of 2026-04-15. The Core 9 273PE therefore launched earlier in the database records.

The launch MSRP for the Core 5 320 is $340. The launch MSRP for the Core 9 273PE is $549.

The part numbers differ: SAE3H for the Core 5 320 and SA4QD for the Core 9 273PE. Both processors have locked multipliers, meaning neither supports manual overclocking.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE wins every multi-threaded benchmark in the recorded data. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 31288 versus 6197 for the Core 5 320, a -80.2% delta. PassMark multithread also favors the Core 9 273PE: 36810 versus 15450, a -58% delta.

Q: Is there any workload where the Core 5 320 beats the Core 9 273PE?

A: Yes, in PassMark single-thread and PassMark singlethread tests, the Core 5 320 scores 4045 versus 3650 for the Core 9 273PE, a 10.8% advantage. This is the only recorded test where the Core 5 320 wins.

Q: What explains the large multi-core gap between these two CPUs?

A: The Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Additionally, the Core 9 273PE has a larger shared L3 cache (36 MB versus 6 MB), a dual-channel memory bus (89.6 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s), and higher base and boost clocks (2.30 GHz and 5.70 GHz versus 1.50 GHz and 4.60 GHz).

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals in the database?

A: The Core 9 273PE has an average benchmark score of 49845, within 1.2% of the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388, Intel Core i5-14600KF, Intel Core i9-13980HX, and AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370. The Core 5 320 has an average score of 18023, within 0.7% of the AMD Ryzen 5 1600, Intel Core 5 120U, Intel Core i5-1334U, and AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Core 5 320 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory. The Core 9 273PE supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Core 9 273PE also supports ECC memory, while the Core 5 320 does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The Core 9 273PE sits at the 90th percentile, while the Core 5 320 sits at the 72nd percentile. The average benchmark scores are 49845 for the Core 9 273PE and 18023 for the Core 5 320.