Intel Core 9 273PE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 9 273PE is the clear performance leader in this comparison, with the recorded data showing a substantial gap across every benchmark category. The Core 9 273PE posts an average benchmark score of 49845, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, leaving its average at zero. This absence of data for the Ultra 5 125UL means no direct head-to-head measurements exist, but the available specifications and the Core 9 273PE's percentile ranking tell a definitive story.

The Core 9 273PE sits at the 90th percentile among all CPUs, placing it near the top of the performance distribution. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 with an average score of 49796, a delta of just 0.1 percent in favor of the Core 9 273PE. The Intel Core i5-14600KF follows at 49394, putting the Core 9 273PE ahead by 0.9 percent. The Core 9 273PE trails the Intel Core i9-13980HX by 1.1 percent and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 by 1.2 percent, showing it competes directly with high-end mobile and desktop parts from the previous generation.

In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Core 9 273PE scores 31288, a result that places it in the upper tier of desktop processors. Its single-core score of 4417 in the same test reinforces its strength in lightly threaded workloads. Cinebench R20 results show 13140 multicore and 1855 single-core, while Cinebench R15 shows 3153 multicore and 445 single-core. These scores consistently indicate a processor capable of both high-throughput and responsive single-thread performance.

PassMark results for the Core 9 273PE further confirm its dominance. The multithread score of 36810 and the single-thread score of 3650 demonstrate balanced performance across both parallel and single-threaded tasks. Integer math reaches 139410, floating-point math reaches 107884, and extended instructions reach 24630. Data compression scores 405885, while data encryption scores 22719. The find prime numbers test returns 203, random string sorting returns 45098, and the physics test returns 3120.

The Core Ultra 5 125UL, by contrast, has no benchmark entries in the database. Its percentile rank of 50 places it at the median of all CPUs, which is a qualitative indicator of mid-range positioning, but no numerical benchmark evidence supports a direct comparison. The head-to-head benchmarks array is empty, and neither processor records a win in the winsA or winsB fields.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 9 273PE wins in every scenario where performance is the deciding factor, based on the recorded data. Its 12 cores and 24 threads give it a distinct advantage in heavily threaded workloads such as video encoding, 3D rendering, and scientific computation. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 31288 indicates strong scaling across all threads, and the PassMark multithread score of 36810 supports this interpretation. For users running parallel workloads, the Core 9 273PE is the only option with measurable performance data, and that data is strong.

Single-threaded performance also favors the Core 9 273PE. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4417 and the PassMark single-thread score of 3650 show that it handles latency-sensitive tasks well. Applications like web browsing, office productivity, and light code compilation benefit from this single-core strength, though the Core 9 273PE's desktop positioning and 65 watt TDP suggest it is designed for sustained workloads rather than mobile efficiency.

The Core Ultra 5 125UL offers no recorded benchmark wins. Its advantages, if any, must be inferred from its specification differences. It uses a 7 nm process node compared to the Core 9 273PE's 10 nm node, which suggests a more modern manufacturing process. Its 15 watt TDP is dramatically lower than the Core 9 273PE's 65 watt TDP, indicating a power efficiency profile suited to compact or passively cooled systems. The integrated Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics is a more capable integrated GPU than the UHD Graphics 730 found in the Core 9 273PE, which could matter for systems without a discrete graphics card. However, none of these advantages translate into recorded benchmark wins in the database.

The Verdict

The data directs a clear verdict: the Intel Core 9 273PE is the superior processor for any performance-oriented use case. Its average benchmark score of 49845 places it at the 90th percentile, and its nearest rivals are all high-end parts with average scores within 1.2 percent. The Core Ultra 5 125UL has no benchmark scores at all, so no performance claim can be made for it based on measurements.

The Core 9 273PE should be selected by users who need maximum compute throughput in a desktop system. Its 24 threads, 36 MB of shared L3 cache, and 5.70 GHz boost clock provide the resources for demanding applications. The Core Ultra 5 125UL should be considered only when power consumption is the primary constraint, as its 15 watt TDP is a fraction of the Core 9 273PE's 65 watt TDP, and its 4.30 GHz boost clock and 14 threads indicate a more modest capability ceiling.

The launch MSRP for the Core 9 273PE is $549. The launch MSRP for the Core Ultra 5 125UL is $309.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE has an average benchmark score of 49845. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125UL has no recorded benchmark scores, resulting in an average of zero.

Q: How does the Core 9 273PE compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Core 9 273PE is 0.1 percent ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388, 0.9 percent ahead of the Intel Core i5-14600KF, 1.1 percent behind the Intel Core i9-13980HX, and 1.2 percent behind the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Core Ultra 5 125UL has 12 cores and 14 threads.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The Core 9 273PE has a TDP of 65 watts. The Core Ultra 5 125UL has a TDP of 15 watts.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core 9 273PE boosts to 5.70 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 125UL boosts to 4.30 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Core 9 273PE supports ECC memory, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL does not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The Core 9 273PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 9 generation, built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The Core Ultra 5 125UL uses the Meteor Lake architecture with the Meteor Lake-PS codename, belongs to the Core Ultra Series 1 generation, and is built on a 7 nm process node, also at Intel's foundry.

The cache structures differ notably. The Core 9 273PE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 125UL has 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L3 cache on the Core 9 273PE gives it a substantial advantage in workloads that benefit from large shared cache pools.

The Core 9 273PE supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL supports PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. This difference affects expansion options and data transfer speeds for GPUs and NVMe storage. The Core 9 273PE uses the Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL uses the Intel Socket 1851, meaning the two processors are not socket-compatible.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Core 9 273PE includes UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL includes Arc Xe-LPG 64EU. The Arc graphics solution is positioned as a more capable integrated GPU, which may benefit systems relying solely on iGPU output.

Specification Differences

The socket types differ: the Core 9 273PE uses Intel Socket 1700, and the Core Ultra 5 125UL uses Intel Socket 1851. The process node differs: 10 nm for the Core 9 273PE, 7 nm for the Core Ultra 5 125UL. The codenames differ: Bartlett Lake for the Core 9 273PE, Meteor Lake-PS for the Core Ultra 5 125UL. The generations differ: Core 9 (Bartlett Lake) for the Core 9 273PE, Ultra 5 (Meteor Lake-PS) for the Core Ultra 5 125UL.

Base clocks differ significantly: the Core 9 273PE runs at 2.30 GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL runs at 1.30 GHz. Boost clocks differ as well: 5.70 GHz versus 4.30 GHz. The Core 9 273PE has 24 threads, the Core Ultra 5 125UL has 14 threads. TDP differs: 65 watts versus 15 watts.

Memory support varies: the Core 9 273PE supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 125UL supports DDR5 with compatibility depending on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory buses with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory support exists on the Core 9 273PE but not on the Core Ultra 5 125UL.

PCIe capabilities differ: the Core 9 273PE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes, the Core Ultra 5 125UL provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes. The L1 cache per core is 80 KB on the Core 9 273PE versus 112 KB on the Core Ultra 5 125UL. The L3 cache is 36 MB shared on the Core 9 273PE versus 12 MB shared on the Core Ultra 5 125UL. The integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 9 273PE, Arc Xe-LPG 64EU on the Core Ultra 5 125UL. The part numbers are SA4QD for the Core 9 273PE and SRN96 for the Core Ultra 5 125UL. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.