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

The Intel Core 7 253PTE and Intel Core 9 273PE are both desktop processors built on the same Bartlett Lake architecture, yet the benchmark data reveals a wide performance gulf between them. The Core 9 273PE dominates in almost every recorded test, while the Core 7 253PTE manages to secure a narrow victory in only a single metric.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a consistent and substantial advantage for the Intel Core 9 273PE across the vast majority of workloads. In the Cinebench suite, the Core 9 273PE leads by a uniform margin of 32% in both single-core and multi-core tests. Specifically, the Core 9 273PE scores 3153 versus 2144 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 445 versus 302 in R15 single-core, 13140 versus 8935 in R20 multi-core, 1855 versus 1261 in R20 single-core, 31288 versus 21276 in R23 multi-core, and 4417 versus 3003 in R23 single-core. This consistent 32% lead across all Cinebench iterations indicates a fundamental performance advantage that scales with both thread count and clock speed.

The Passmark suite tells a similar story, with the Core 9 273PE winning 13 of the 15 recorded tests. The largest gap appears in the passmark_find_prime_numbers test, where the Core 9 273PE scores 203 against the Core 7 253PTE's 82, a delta of 59.6%. This test is highly sensitive to processor arithmetic capabilities and shows a massive difference in raw computational throughput. Similarly, the passmark_physics test shows the Core 9 273PE at 3120 versus 1318, a 57.8% advantage, indicating significantly stronger performance in physics simulations and floating-point-heavy workloads.

Other Passmark tests show more moderate differences. The passmark_floating_point_math test has the Core 9 273PE at 107884 versus 67209, a 37.7% lead. The passmark_random_string_sorting test shows 45098 versus 28227, a 37.4% delta. Data compression results are also skewed heavily toward the Core 9 273PE, with a score of 405885 versus 275828, a 32% difference. Data encryption follows with 22719 versus 15500, a 31.8% gap, and extended instructions show 24630 versus 17099, a 30.6% difference. The smallest multi-core delta appears in passmark_integer_math, where the Core 9 273PE leads by only 14.2%, scoring 139410 versus 119552.

The only test where the Intel Core 7 253PTE emerges victorious is passmark_single_thread (and its duplicate passmark_singlethread). Here, the Core 7 253PTE scores 3794 against the Core 9 273PE's 3650, a lead of 3.9%. This is a notable outlier, suggesting that despite the Core 9 273PE's higher boost clock, the Core 7 253PTE delivers better single-threaded performance in this specific Passmark test. However, this single win is dwarfed by the Core 9 273PE's 15 total wins across the head-to-head suite.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture, codenamed Bartlett Lake, and are manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process node. The core design is identical, with each core featuring 80 KB of L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache per core. However, the core and thread counts differ significantly. The Intel Core 7 253PTE has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads. This 20% increase in core count directly contributes to the multi-core performance advantage seen in the benchmarks.

The shared L3 cache also differs between the two. The Core 7 253PTE has 33 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core 9 273PE has 36 MB. This additional 3 MB of L3 cache provides the Core 9 273PE with a larger working set for frequently accessed data, which can improve performance in cache-sensitive workloads. Clock speeds are another distinguishing factor. The Core 7 253PTE has a base clock of 1.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Core 9 273PE operates at a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. The higher base and boost clocks of the Core 9 273PE explain its advantage in single-threaded Cinebench tests, although the Passmark single-thread result remains an anomaly.

The thermal design power also differs, with the Core 7 253PTE rated at 45 W and the Core 9 273PE at 65 W. This higher TDP for the Core 9 273PE allows it to sustain higher clocks under load, which is reflected in its superior multi-core benchmark scores. Both processors use the Intel Socket 1700, support dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, and feature ECC memory support. They also both have PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and integrated UHD Graphics 730. The memory bus, PCIe configuration, and integrated graphics are identical, leaving core count, cache size, clock speed, and TDP as the primary architectural differentiators.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous in its verdict. The Intel Core 9 273PE is the superior processor in nearly every measurable aspect. It wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, including all Cinebench tests and all but one Passmark test. The Core 9 273PE's average benchmark score is 49845, placing it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 7 253PTE has an average score of 34962 and sits in the 84th percentile. This represents a substantial overall performance gap of roughly 42.5% in average score.

The Core 7 253PTE's only triumph is in the Passmark single-thread test, where it leads by 3.9%. This indicates that for applications that rely heavily on a single thread and are not dependent on cache size or core count, the Core 7 253PTE may hold a slight edge. However, this is a narrow victory in a single test and does not offset the Core 9 273PE's dominance in multi-threaded, encryption, compression, and physics workloads.

The data suggests that the Core 9 273PE is the choice for users who need maximum computational throughput, particularly in multi-core scenarios. Its 12 cores, 24 threads, larger L3 cache, and higher clock speeds combine to deliver a decisive performance advantage. The Core 7 253PTE, with its 10 cores and lower clocks, is positioned as a more modest performer, and the only scenario where the data supports its selection is when single-threaded Passmark performance is the sole criterion.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE has a boost clock of 5.70 GHz, while the Intel Core 7 253PTE has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz.

Q: How many more cores does the Core 9 273PE have?

A: The Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Core 7 253PTE has 10 cores and 20 threads, a difference of 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark score?

A: The Core 9 273PE has an average benchmark score of 49845, while the Core 7 253PTE has an average score of 34962.

Q: In which test does the Core 7 253PTE win?

A: The Core 7 253PTE wins the passmark_single_thread test, scoring 3794 against the Core 9 273PE's 3650, a 3.9% advantage.

Q: Do both processors have the same integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core 7 253PTE and the Intel Core 9 273PE feature integrated UHD Graphics 730.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in the passmark_find_prime_numbers test, where the Core 9 273PE leads by 59.6%, scoring 203 versus 82.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 9 273PE wins in every multi-core workload category recorded in the database. This includes all Cinebench multi-core tests (R15, R20, R23), where it leads by 32% in each. Passmark multi-thread tests show a 32% advantage, with a score of 36810 versus 25031. Data compression and encryption workloads heavily favor the Core 9 273PE, with 32% and 31.8% leads respectively. Physics simulations are a strong point for the Core 9 273PE, showing a 57.8% advantage, and floating-point math also favors it by 37.7%. Integer math, while still favoring the Core 9 273PE, shows the smallest multi-core gap at 14.2%.

The Intel Core 7 253PTE wins only in the Passmark single-thread test, where it scores 3794 versus 3650, a 3.9% lead. This suggests that for legacy applications or lightly threaded workloads that do not benefit from additional cores, the Core 7 253PTE can offer a modest performance advantage. However, the Core 9 273PE still wins the Cinebench single-core tests by 32%, so the Core 7 253PTE's single-thread win is specific to the Passmark methodology rather than a general single-core superiority.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Core 7 253PTE has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads. The base clock is 1.80 GHz for the Core 7 253PTE and 2.30 GHz for the Core 9 273PE, and the boost clock is 5.40 GHz versus 5.70 GHz. The TDP is 45 W for the Core 7 253PTE and 65 W for the Core 9 273PE. The shared L3 cache is 33 MB for the Core 7 253PTE and 36 MB for the Core 9 273PE. Both use the same 10 nm process node, Intel Socket 1700, 80 KB L1 cache per core, 2 MB L2 cache per core, dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 memory support with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, integrated UHD Graphics 730, and have a locked multiplier. The launch MSRP is $384 for the Core 7 253PTE and $549 for the Core 9 273PE.