Intel Core 7 251TE vs Intel Core 9 273PQE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a decisive picture: the Intel Core 9 273PQE wins every single recorded test against the Intel Core 7 251TE. Across 17 head-to-head comparisons, the Core 9 273PQE takes all of them, with no wins recorded for the Core 7 251TE.

The largest gap appears in PassMark extended instructions, where the Core 9 273PQE scores 38,743 against 16,974 for the Core 7 251TE, a 56.2% advantage. This is the single biggest margin in the entire comparison and suggests a major difference in workloads that use advanced instruction sets.

Cinebench results are remarkably consistent. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core 9 273PQE scores 3,950 versus 2,572, a 34.9% lead. The single-core test shows a 35% gap, with 557 against 362. Cinebench R20 multicore repeats the pattern: 16,459 versus 10,717, again 34.9%. Single-core R20 shows 2,323 versus 1,512, another 34.9% deficit. Cinebench R23 multicore gives 39,190 against 25,518, and R23 single-core gives 5,532 versus 3,602, both at 34.9%. The consistency of this margin across all three Cinebench versions is notable; it indicates the performance difference scales evenly across rendering workloads regardless of the benchmark version.

PassMark tests show more variation. Data compression favors the Core 9 273PQE by 42.9%, with scores of 585,752 versus 334,399. Data encryption shows a 25.2% gap, 29,636 versus 22,176. Find prime numbers gives the Core 9 273PQE a 29.3% edge, 198 versus 140. Floating point math is 31.8% better at 125,546 versus 85,607. Integer math shows a smaller 23.6% gap, 164,629 versus 125,739. The multithread test shows 46,107 versus 30,022, a 34.9% difference. Physics tests give 2,754 versus 1,938, a 29.6% edge. Random string sorting favors the Core 9 273PQE by 25.4%, 53,167 versus 39,643. Single-thread PassMark results show a 22% gap, 4,573 versus 3,568.

The average benchmark score reflects this dominance. The Core 9 273PQE averages 66,099 across all tests, while the Core 7 251TE averages 41,650. The Core 9 273PQE sits at the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, versus the 88th percentile for the Core 7 251TE. That five-point percentile gap is meaningful; it places the Core 9 273PQE among the higher echelon of desktop processors.

Looking at nearest rivals puts the performance in context. The Core 7 251TE's average score of 41,650 sits within 0.1% of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H at 41,621 and within 0.2% of the Intel Core i7-14650HX at 41,576. It trails the Intel Core i7-12850HX by 0.3% and the Intel Core i7-14700T by 0.6%. The Core 9 273PQE, with 66,099, is 0.1% behind the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus at 66,159, 0.3% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D at 65,914, 1.1% behind the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus at 66,855, and 1.2% behind the AMD EPYC 4465P at 66,925. This places the Core 9 273PQE in the company of high-end desktop and workstation parts, while the Core 7 251TE competes with mid-range mobile and desktop chips.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core 9 273PQE is the faster processor in every metric recorded. Anyone selecting between these two strictly on performance should choose the Core 9 273PQE, as it holds a 34.9% lead across Cinebench multicore and single-core tests alike, and a 22% to 56.2% lead across PassMark workloads.

The Core 7 251TE does have one structural advantage: it packs 24 cores and 32 threads against 12 cores and 24 threads for the Core 9 273PQE. Yet the benchmark results show that the Core 9 273PQE's higher clock speeds overcome the core count deficit in every tested workload. The Core 9 273PQE boosts to 5.90 GHz versus 5.40 GHz for the Core 7 251TE, and its base clock of 3.40 GHz is substantially higher than 1.40 GHz. The Core 9 273PQE also carries a 125 W TDP against 45 W for the Core 7 251TE, which likely explains the sustained performance advantage.

For users whose workloads align with the recorded benchmarks, the Core 9 273PQE is the clear choice. Its 93rd percentile standing versus the 88th percentile for the Core 7 251TE confirms the performance hierarchy. The Core 7 251TE remains a functional desktop processor, but the data shows no scenario in this benchmark suite where it outruns its sibling.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE scores 39,190 versus 25,518 for the Intel Core 7 251TE, a 34.9% advantage.

Q: How much faster is the Intel Core 9 273PQE in single-threaded workloads?

A: In PassMark single-thread tests, the Core 9 273PQE scores 4,573 against 3,568, a 22% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a larger 34.9% gap, 5,532 versus 3,602.

Q: Does the Core 7 251TE win any benchmark?

A: No. Across all 17 recorded head-to-head tests, the Core 9 273PQE wins every one. The Core 7 251TE records zero wins.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The Core 9 273PQE averages 66,099, while the Core 7 251TE averages 41,650. The Core 9 273PQE also ranks at the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, versus the 88th percentile for the Core 7 251TE.

Q: How does each processor compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Core 7 251TE is within 0.1% of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H and within 0.2% of the Intel Core i7-14650HX. The Core 9 273PQE is 0.3% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D and 1.1% behind the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus.

Q: Which benchmark shows the largest performance gap?

A: PassMark extended instructions shows the biggest difference, with the Core 9 273PQE scoring 38,743 versus 16,974, a 56.2% margin.

Specification Differences

The two processors share several specifications. Both use the Intel Socket 1700, both are built on the same Bartlett Lake architecture at the Intel 10 nm process node, and both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory, both use Gen 5 PCIe with 16 CPU lanes, and both integrate UHD Graphics 770. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The core configuration differs sharply. The Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Core 9 273PQE has 12 cores and 24 threads. Clock speeds favor the Core 9 273PQE: its base clock is 3.40 GHz versus 1.40 GHz, and its boost clock is 5.90 GHz versus 5.40 GHz. The TDP also differs, with the Core 9 273PQE rated at 125 W against 45 W for the Core 7 251TE.

Cache layouts differ in L2. The Core 7 251TE has 1.25 MB of L2 per core, while the Core 9 273PQE has 2 MB per core. Both share 36 MB of L3 and 80 KB of L1 per core. The die size is listed at 215 mm² for the Core 7 251TE, with no die size recorded for the Core 9 273PQE.

The release dates differ, with the Core 7 251TE released on January 12, 2025, and the Core 9 273PQE released on March 8, 2026. The launch MSRP for the Core 7 251TE is $384, and the launch MSRP for the Core 9 273PQE is $589.

Architecture Differences

Both processors come from the Bartlett Lake family, built on Intel's 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. This means the fundamental architecture is the same, and the performance differences stem from clock speeds, core counts, and cache allocation rather than architectural redesign.

The core count difference is substantial: 24 cores and 32 threads for the Core 7 251TE versus 12 cores and 24 threads for the Core 9 273PQE. Despite having half the cores, the Core 9 273PQE wins all benchmarks due to its much higher clock speeds. The base clock advantage of 3.40 GHz versus 1.40 GHz is particularly significant; the Core 7 251TE starts from a very low frequency and relies on boosting to 5.40 GHz, while the Core 9 273PQE starts higher and boosts further to 5.90 GHz.

The L2 cache allocation differs as well. The Core 9 273PQE provides 2 MB of L2 per core versus 1.25 MB per core for the Core 7 251TE. This larger per-core L2 cache likely contributes to the Core 9 273PQE's lead in single-threaded and lightly threaded workloads, where cache access patterns matter more. The shared L3 cache is identical at 36 MB, and L1 is the same at 80 KB per core.

Both integrate the same UHD Graphics 770 and provide the same platform features: DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, ECC memory support, and Gen 5 PCIe with 16 CPU lanes. The 125 W TDP of the Core 9 273PQE versus 45 W for the Core 7 251TE reflects the higher sustained clock speeds and indicates the Core 9 273PQE is designed for higher power delivery and cooling requirements.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 9 273PQE wins every recorded benchmark, so the use-case split is straightforward: it is the stronger processor for all workloads represented in the database. Its 34.9% lead across Cinebench multicore tests makes it the better choice for rendering and video encoding tasks that scale with multithreaded performance. Its 56.2% lead in extended instructions indicates superiority in workloads that use advanced SIMD and specialized instruction sets, such as scientific computing or cryptography. The 42.9% lead in data compression and 25.2% lead in data encryption further support its use in data-heavy workflows.

The Core 7 251TE's 24-core configuration does not translate into any benchmark win, but its 45 W TDP and lower clock speeds suggest it is intended for power-conscious desktop builds. Its 1.40 GHz base clock is unusually low, which may indicate a design focused on idle efficiency or thermal constraints. The 36 MB shared L3 cache matches the Core 9 273PQE, so cache-intensive workloads see no disadvantage there.

For integer math, the Core 9 273PQE leads by 23.6%, its smallest margin in the PassMark suite. For floating point math, the lead is 31.8%. For physics simulations, the lead is 29.6%. Random string sorting shows a 25.4% gap. The Core 9 273PQE's smallest overall margin is the 22% single-thread PassMark lead, which still represents a clear advantage.

The percentile rankings confirm the hierarchy. The Core 9 273PQE at the 93rd percentile versus the Core 7 251TE at the 88th percentile means the Core 9 273PQE sits in a higher performance tier overall. The nearest rival data reinforces this: the Core 9 273PQE trades blows with the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D and Intel Core Ultra 5 series, while the Core 7 251TE sits alongside the Core Ultra 7 265H and Core i7-14650HX. Builders targeting the highest available desktop performance from this family should select the Core 9 273PQE; builders constrained by power or platform costs may consider the Core 7 251TE, but the benchmark data offers no performance reason to prefer it.