AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D vs Intel Core 9 273PE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data delivers a decisive verdict: the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D wins 16 of 17 direct comparisons, with the Intel Core 9 273PE securing only a single victory. The magnitude of AMD's lead varies sharply by workload, ranging from a modest 11.5% edge in single-threaded tests to a crushing 54.4% advantage in prime number computation.

Starting with the most lopsided result, the PassMark find prime numbers test shows the AMD scoring 445 against Intel's 203, a 54.4% deficit for the Intel part. This is the largest gap in the entire dataset, indicating AMD's architecture handles this particular integer-heavy, cache-sensitive workload exceptionally well. Similarly, extended instructions show a 44.7% advantage for AMD (44567 vs 24630), and random string sorting favors AMD by 36.2% (70662 vs 45098). These are not marginal differences; they represent fundamentally different performance profiles.

The Cinebench suite paints a consistent picture of AMD dominance. Across R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core scores show AMD leading by exactly 26.8% in every case. For example, Cinebench R23 multi-core sees AMD at 42767 versus Intel at 31288, while single-core shows 6037 versus 4417. This uniformity suggests a systematic clock and IPC advantage for AMD rather than workload-specific behavior. The PassMark multithread score confirms this trend, with AMD at 50317 and Intel at 36810, again a 26.8% gap.

Data compression and encryption follow the same pattern. AMD leads compression by 31.7% (593838 vs 405885) and encryption by 35.6% (35293 vs 22719). Physics simulation shows a 34% AMD advantage (4728 vs 3120). Integer math is closer but still favors AMD by 13.3% (160779 vs 139410).

The single bright spot for Intel is floating point math, where it wins by 10.9% (107884 vs 97246). This is the only test where Intel's architecture outperforms, and it suggests a strength in certain scientific or numerical workloads. However, even this victory is outweighed by the breadth and depth of AMD's wins elsewhere.

In single-threaded PassMark, AMD leads by 11.5% (4126 vs 3650). This is notable because single-thread performance often correlates with gaming and everyday responsiveness, making AMD's lead relevant beyond pure compute tasks. The overall average benchmark scores reflect this imbalance: Intel's average is 49845, while AMD's is 47908, but the head-to-head deltas tell a more nuanced story than the averages alone.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core 9 273PE uses Bartlett Lake architecture on a 10 nm process fabricated by Intel, while the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D uses Zen 4 architecture on a 5 nm process from TSMC. AMD's process advantage is significant, allowing for higher clock speeds and better efficiency per watt.

Both CPUs feature 12 cores and 24 threads, so thread count is identical. However, clock speeds differ: Intel's base clock is 2.30 GHz with a boost of 5.70 GHz, while AMD's base clock is 4.40 GHz with a boost of 5.60 GHz. AMD's much higher base clock (nearly double) is crucial for sustained workloads, while Intel's slightly higher boost clock offers a marginal peak advantage. The TDP figures reveal a stark contrast: Intel is rated at 65 watts, while AMD draws 120 watts. This means AMD consumes more power but delivers substantially higher performance.

Cache architecture is where the designs diverge most dramatically. Intel provides 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. AMD provides 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and a massive 128 MB shared L3, which includes a 64 MB 3D V-Cache slice. This 128 MB L3 is nearly 3.6 times larger than Intel's 36 MB, and it directly explains AMD's dominance in cache-sensitive workloads like prime number computation and data compression. The V-Cache technology is AMD's key differentiator, providing a huge pool of fast memory for data reuse.

Memory support also differs. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but Intel's memory bandwidth is rated at 89.6 GB/s versus AMD's 83.2 GB/s, giving Intel a theoretical bandwidth advantage. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity favors AMD, which offers Gen 5 with 24 lanes versus Intel's Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: Intel uses UHD Graphics 730, while AMD uses Radeon Graphics.

Other distinguishing factors include AMD's unlocked multiplier versus Intel's locked one, and different sockets: Intel uses Socket 1700, AMD uses AM5. AMD's die size is listed as 2x 71 mm² with 17,840 million transistors, while Intel's die size and transistor count are not recorded. AMD's release date is January 2023, while Intel's is March 2026, indicating a three-year gap in market availability.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins more benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D wins 16 of 17 head-to-head tests, with the Intel Core 9 273PE winning only the PassMark floating point math test.

Q: How large is AMD's performance lead in multi-core workloads?

A: Across all Cinebench multi-core tests (R15, R20, R23), AMD leads by exactly 26.8%. The PassMark multithread test also shows a 26.8% advantage for AMD.

Q: Does Intel have any workload where it outperforms AMD?

A: Yes, in PassMark floating point math, Intel scores 107884 versus AMD's 97246, a 10.9% advantage for Intel. This is the only test where Intel wins.

Q: Why does AMD perform so well in cache-sensitive tasks?

A: AMD's L3 cache is 128 MB shared, including a 64 MB 3D V-Cache slice, compared to Intel's 36 MB shared L3. This larger cache pool directly benefits workloads like prime number computation and data compression.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: Intel has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz, while AMD has a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. AMD's base clock is nearly double Intel's.

Q: How do the TDP ratings compare?

A: Intel is rated at 65 watts, while AMD is rated at 120 watts. AMD's higher power draw is associated with its higher performance output.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 9 273PE | AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.70 GHz | 5.60 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 120 W |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 5 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | AMD Socket AM5 |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 36 MB (shared) | 128 MB (shared) |

| V-Cache | None | 1x 64MB Slice |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 83.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes | Gen 5, 24 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Radeon Graphics |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,840 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 2x 71 mm² |

| Release Date | 2026-03-08 | 2023-01-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $549 | $599 |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D is the clear winner for most compute-intensive tasks. Its 26.8% advantage across all Cinebench versions, both single and multi-core, makes it the superior choice for rendering, video encoding, and any workload that scales with CPU throughput. The PassMark multithread score of 50317 versus 36810 confirms this. Data compression and encryption workloads strongly favor AMD, with 31.7% and 35.6% leads respectively, making it ideal for database operations, file archiving, and secure communications processing.

AMD also dominates in physics simulation (34% lead), random string sorting (36.2% lead), and prime number finding (54.4% lead). These results point to strengths in scientific computing, cryptography, and simulation tasks where large cache and high base clock matter. The single-thread advantage of 11.5% in PassMark suggests AMD is also better for general application responsiveness and many gaming scenarios, though the database does not include gaming-specific tests.

The Intel Core 9 273PE wins only in floating point math, with a 10.9% advantage (107884 vs 97246). This makes it a reasonable choice for workloads dominated by floating point operations, such as certain scientific simulations, financial modeling, or specific engineering applications. Additionally, Intel's higher memory bandwidth (89.6 GB/s vs 83.2 GB/s) and support for DDR4 could be relevant for users with existing DDR4 memory infrastructure, though this is not directly benchmarked. Intel's lower TDP of 65 watts versus AMD's 120 watts also suggests lower power consumption, which may be relevant for thermally constrained systems, though this is not measured in the benchmark data.

The Verdict

The benchmark data overwhelmingly favors the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D for users who prioritize raw performance across diverse workloads. Winning 16 of 17 direct comparisons, including all Cinebench tests, all PassMark tests except floating point, and all specialized workloads, AMD delivers consistently higher scores. The 26.8% multi-core advantage is substantial and would translate into noticeably faster render times, compilation times, and data processing. The 128 MB L3 cache, including the 64 MB V-Cache slice, is the likely driver of AMD's exceptional performance in cache-sensitive tasks, making it the superior choice for anyone running complex, data-heavy applications.

The Intel Core 9 273PE is the recommendation only for a narrow niche: users whose workloads are dominated by floating point math. The 10.9% advantage in that single test suggests it could be preferable for specific scientific or engineering applications. Additionally, its lower 65 watt TDP and support for DDR4 memory could make it appealing for low-power builds or upgrades of existing DDR4 systems. However, for every other measured workload, the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D is faster, often by wide margins. The data shows no scenario where Intel's overall performance profile outmatches AMD except in that isolated floating point test. For most users, the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D is the better performer based on the recorded benchmarks.