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

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 7 253PQE has 10 cores and 20 threads.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds of both processors?

A: Both processors have the same boost clock of 5.70 GHz. Their base clocks differ, with the Core 7 253PQE at 3.50 GHz and the Core 9 273PE at 2.30 GHz.

Q: Which CPU has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE has a TDP of 125, while the Intel Core 9 273PE has a TDP of 65. This indicates the Core 7 draws more power.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core 7 253PQE and the Intel Core 9 273PE support ECC memory.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache size?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 7 253PQE has 33 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor shows a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE has an average benchmark score of 55919, compared to 49845 for the Intel Core 9 273PE. The Core 7 also sits at the 91st percentile versus the Core 9's 90th percentile.

Architecture Differences

Both processors come from Intel's Bartlett Lake family, built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. They share the same L1 cache of 80 KB per core and L2 cache of 2 MB per core. The key architectural split is core count and cache hierarchy. The Core 9 273PE packs 12 cores and 24 threads, with a larger 36 MB shared L3 cache. The Core 7 253PQE has 10 cores and 20 threads, paired with 33 MB of shared L3 cache.

Memory support is identical: DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel, with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Both CPUs also support ECC memory and use PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The integrated graphics differ. The Core 7 253PQE uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Core 9 273PE steps down to UHD Graphics 730. Both are locked processors, with no unlocked multiplier, and target the desktop market segment. Their release dates match at 2026-03-08T17:00:00.000Z, and both are marked as Active in production status.

The base clock difference is significant. The Core 7 253PQE runs at 3.50 GHz, while the Core 9 273PE runs at 2.30 GHz. Both boost to 5.70 GHz. The TDP gap is also notable: 125 for the Core 7 versus 65 for the Core 9. This suggests the Core 7 is tuned for higher sustained clocks at the cost of power, while the Core 9 emphasizes efficiency with a lower TDP.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows a clear split. The Intel Core 7 253PQE wins 14 out of 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 9 273PE wins only 3. The Core 7 dominates in most multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads, but the Core 9 has specific strengths in floating-point math, integer math, and physics calculations.

For users focused on Cinebench rendering, the Core 7 253PQE is consistently ahead, albeit by small margins. All six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23, both single and multi-core) go to the Core 7 with deltas ranging from 0.2% to 0.3%. These are narrow wins, but they hold across every rendering iteration.

The Core 7 also excels in data-centric tasks. It leads by 20.1% in data compression, 12.3% in data encryption, and 20.2% in random string sorting. Its extended instructions score is 31.5% higher, and its PassMark multithread score is 13.2% higher. The single-thread PassMark tests show a 20.2% advantage for the Core 7.

The Core 9 273PE takes the physics test with a 4.8% edge, floating-point math with a 2.4% edge, and integer math with a 1.2% edge. These wins are smaller in magnitude compared to the Core 7's larger deltas. For workloads heavily reliant on math throughput rather than general multitasking or encryption, the Core 9 has a measurable benefit.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several core specifications:

• Cores: 10 (Core 7) vs 12 (Core 9)
• Threads: 20 (Core 7) vs 24 (Core 9)
• Base clock: 3.50 GHz (Core 7) vs 2.30 GHz (Core 9)
• Boost clock: Identical at 5.70 GHz
• TDP: 125 (Core 7) vs 65 (Core 9)
• L3 cache: 33 MB (Core 7) vs 36 MB (Core 9)
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 770 (Core 7) vs UHD Graphics 730 (Core 9)
• Launch MSRP: $409 (Core 7) vs $549 (Core 9)
• Part number: SA4QA (Core 7) vs SA4QD (Core 9)

Shared specifications include socket (Intel Socket 1700), process node (10 nm), foundry (Intel), L1 cache (80 KB per core), L2 cache (2 MB per core), memory support (DDR4, DDR5), memory bus (Dual-channel), memory bandwidth (89.6 GB/s), ECC support (true), PCIe (Gen 5, 16 Lanes CPU only), market segment (Desktop), production status (Active), release date (2026-03-08T17:00:00.000Z), and multiplier unlock (false).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the Intel Core 7 253PQE comes in PassMark extended instructions, where it scores 32390 versus 24630 for the Core 9, a 31.5% advantage. This indicates a substantial lead in workloads using advanced CPU instruction sets, such as AVX or similar extensions.

Data compression shows a 20.1% gap in favor of the Core 7, with scores of 487335 versus 405885. Random string sorting follows closely at 20.2% (54222 versus 45098). The PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests both show the same 20.2% difference, with the Core 7 scoring 4389 versus 3650 for the Core 9.

The PassMark multithread test gives the Core 7 a 13.2% lead, scoring 41656 against 36810. Data encryption shows a 12.3% edge (25515 versus 22719). Find prime numbers is a narrow 1.5% win for the Core 7, with scores of 206 versus 203.

Cinebench results are consistent but close. The R23 multicore test shows 31390 for the Core 7 against 31288 for the Core 9, a 0.3% difference. R23 single-core is similarly tight at 4431 versus 4417. The R20 and R15 tests follow the same pattern, with all deltas between 0.2% and 0.3%.

The Core 9 273PE's wins are smaller but real. Physics gives it a 4.8% edge, scoring 3120 versus 2970. Floating-point math shows a 2.4% advantage (107884 versus 105279), and integer math a 1.2% edge (139410 versus 137795). These three tests are the only ones where the Core 9 comes out ahead.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core 7 253PQE as the stronger overall processor. It wins 14 of 17 benchmarks, including every Cinebench test, all PassMark single-thread tests, and the major data workloads. Its average benchmark score of 55919 places it at the 91st percentile, and it sits within 0.2% of the Intel Core i9-14900HX, which has an average score of 56004. The Core 7 also holds a slight edge over the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 (56273, delta -0.6%) and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 470 (56306, delta -0.7%).

The Intel Core 9 273PE, with an average score of 49845 at the 90th percentile, is roughly tied with the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 (49796, delta 0.1%) and the Intel Core i5-14600KF (49394, delta 0.9%). It falls behind the Intel Core i9-13980HX (50398, delta -1.1%) and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 (50448, delta -1.2%).

For buyers who prioritize rendering, data compression, encryption, or single-thread responsiveness, the Core 7 253PQE is the clear choice. Its higher base clock and larger benchmark wins in these areas outweigh its smaller core count. The Core 9 273PE makes sense only for workloads that specifically benefit from its physics, floating-point, and integer math advantages, and even then the margins are modest. The Core 9's lower TDP of 65 versus 125 suggests better efficiency, but the Core 7 delivers more performance across the majority of recorded tests.