Intel Core 7 253PE vs Intel Core 9 273PTE Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the majority of the head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 9 273PTE wins only 2. The Core 7 253PE also holds a higher average benchmark score of 40557 compared to 31143 for the Core 9 273PTE.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark score between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE records an average benchmark score of 40557, while the Intel Core 9 273PTE scores 31143. The difference places the Core 7 253PE in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, whereas the Core 9 273PTE sits in the 82nd percentile.

Q: Are there any tests where the Intel Core 9 273PTE outperforms the Intel Core 7 253PE?

A: Yes, the Core 9 273PTE wins the PassMark find prime numbers test with a score of 142 versus 138 (a 2.8% advantage) and the PassMark physics test with 1917 versus 1845 (a 3.8% advantage).

Q: How do the two processors compare in terms of core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core 9 273PTE has 12 cores and 24 threads. Despite having fewer cores and threads, the Core 7 253PE still wins most benchmarks.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of each processor?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has a launch MSRP of $384, and the Intel Core 9 273PTE has a launch MSRP of $549.

Q: Do both processors share the same socket and integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 1700 and integrate UHD Graphics 730. They also share the same 10 nm process node, dual-channel memory bus, 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, and Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Architecture Differences

Both processors come from the Bartlett Lake family and are built by Intel on a 10 nm process node. The Intel Core 7 253PE packs 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core 9 273PTE increases that to 12 cores and 24 threads. The extra two cores in the Core 9 273PTE do not translate into superior benchmark results in most tests, which raises questions about clock behavior and thermal constraints.

The base clock speeds differ significantly. The Core 7 253PE runs at 2.50 GHz, while the Core 9 273PTE has a much lower base clock of 1.40 GHz. Both processors share the same boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The Core 9 273PTE compensates for its lower base clock with a higher core count, but the recorded data suggests the Core 7 253PE sustains better performance under load.

Cache hierarchies are similar in structure but differ in total capacity. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache is 33 MB on the Core 7 253PE and 36 MB on the Core 9 273PTE, giving the Core 9 273PTE a modest 3 MB advantage in aggregate cache.

The thermal design power differs as well. The Core 7 253PE has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Core 9 273PTE has a TDP of 45 watts. The Core 9 273PTE therefore operates at a lower power envelope despite having more cores, which may explain its reduced base clock and weaker sustained performance in multi-threaded workloads.

Both processors support DDR4 and DDR5 memory, dual-channel configurations, and ECC memory. Memory bandwidth is identical at 89.6 GB/s. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are listed as Active production status with the same release date of 2026-03-08.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 7 253PE dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 2507 against 2060, a 21.7% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a 22.1% lead with 354 versus 290. Cinebench R20 multicore repeats the 21.7% gap, with scores of 10449 and 8586. The R20 single-core result also lands at 21.7%, with 1475 versus 1212. Cinebench R23 multicore continues the pattern: 24880 versus 20445, again 21.7%. The R23 single-core test matches that delta exactly, 3512 versus 2886. Across every Cinebench test, the Core 7 253PE holds a consistent lead of roughly 21.7% to 22.1%.

PassMark tests reveal even larger gaps in certain workloads. Data compression shows a 31.1% advantage for the Core 7 253PE, with scores of 339133 and 258704. Data encryption favors the Core 7 253PE by 29%, at 18385 versus 14253. Extended instructions widen the gap to 36.7%, with 21806 versus 15952. Floating point math produces a 33.3% lead, 80870 versus 60673. Integer math shows the biggest margin at 38.5%, with 114158 versus 82411. Multithread performance sits at 21.7% in favor of the Core 7 253PE, with scores of 29271 and 24054. Random string sorting records a 13.1% lead, 32777 versus 28973. Single-thread tests show a 15.2% advantage, with 3955 versus 3433.

The Intel Core 9 273PTE wins only two tests, both by narrow margins. In find prime numbers, it scores 142 versus 138, a 2.8% advantage. In physics, it scores 1917 versus 1845, a 3.8% lead. These wins are isolated and do not offset the broad pattern of losses elsewhere.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in core count, thread count, base clock, TDP, L3 cache, launch MSRP, and part number. The Core 7 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Core 9 273PTE has 12 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz and 1.40 GHz respectively. Boost clocks are identical at 5.50 GHz. TDP is 65 watts for the Core 7 253PE and 45 watts for the Core 9 273PTE. L3 cache is 33 MB shared on the Core 7 253PE and 36 MB shared on the Core 9 273PTE. Launch MSRP is $384 for the Core 7 253PE and $549 for the Core 9 273PTE. Part numbers are SA4QE and SA4QJ respectively.

All other recorded specifications match. Both use the same socket, process node, foundry, L1 and L2 cache sizes, memory support, memory bus, memory bandwidth, ECC support, PCIe configuration, integrated graphics, market segment, production status, release date, and multiplier lock status.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 253PE wins in nearly every workload category recorded. Rendering workloads, represented by the Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 suites, all favor the Core 7 253PE by roughly 21.7% in multicore and up to 22.1% in single-core. Productivity tasks such as data compression, data encryption, and random string sorting also favor the Core 7 253PE, with advantages ranging from 13.1% to 31.1%. Math-intensive workloads show the strongest preference for the Core 7 253PE, with floating point math ahead by 33.3% and integer math ahead by 38.5%. Extended instruction workloads give the Core 7 253PE its largest single margin at 36.7%. Multithread and single-thread PassMark scores both favor the Core 7 253PE, with leads of 21.7% and 15.2% respectively.

The Intel Core 9 273PTE wins only in prime number finding and physics simulations. The prime number test shows a 2.8% edge, and the physics test shows a 3.8% edge. These results suggest the Core 9 273PTE has some advantage in specific integer-heavy or simulation-style tasks, but the margins are small and the scope is narrow.

The Verdict

The recorded data clearly favors the Intel Core 7 253PE in almost every benchmark category. It leads by 21.7% or more in all Cinebench tests, holds double-digit advantages in PassMark compression, encryption, extended instructions, floating point, integer, multithread, random string sorting, and single-thread tests, and posts a higher average benchmark score of 40557 versus 31143. It also sits at the 87th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 82nd percentile for the Core 9 273PTE.

The Intel Core 9 273PTE offers more cores, more threads, a larger L3 cache, and a lower TDP of 45 watts, but the benchmark results do not reflect those advantages. Its lower base clock of 1.40 GHz appears to limit its performance despite the higher core count. The two narrow wins in prime number finding and physics do not compensate for the losses elsewhere.

Users focused on rendering, compression, encryption, math workloads, or general single-thread and multithread performance should select the Intel Core 7 253PE based on the data. The Core 9 273PTE may appeal to those prioritizing the 45-watt TDP or the specific physics and prime number workloads where it edges ahead, but the overall benchmark record makes the Core 7 253PE the stronger choice for most applications.