Intel Core 9 273PE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL Comparison

FAQ

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

A: Both the Intel Core 9 273PE and the Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL have 12 cores. However, the Core 9 273PE supports 24 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL supports 14 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE reaches a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL has a lower boost clock of 4.40 GHz.

Q: How do the two processors differ in their integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL integrates Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core 9 273PE supports ECC memory, whereas the Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL does not.

Q: What is the difference in the PCIe generation and lane count?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

Q: What is the difference in the shared L3 cache size?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE features 36 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL features 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core 9 273PE and the Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL come from different architectural generations. The Core 9 273PE is based on the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 9 generation. It is built on a 10 nm process node. The Core Ultra 5 135UL uses the Meteor Lake architecture, with the codename Meteor Lake-PS, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 1. It is built on a 7 nm process node. Both processors are manufactured by Intel, but the process technology difference indicates a newer fabrication approach for the Core Ultra part.

The core configurations differ significantly. Both have 12 physical cores, but the Core 9 273PE supports 24 threads, implying hyperthreading across all cores. The Core Ultra 5 135UL supports only 14 threads, meaning not all cores have hyperthreading enabled. The cache hierarchy also differs: the Core 9 273PE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, with 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 135UL has a larger L1 cache at 112 KB per core and the same 2 MB per core L2, but only 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

The memory support differs as well. The Core 9 273PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL supports only DDR5, with the specific type depending on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory buses and have the same memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s. The Core 9 273PE offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL offers PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes. ECC memory support is present on the Core 9 273PE but absent on the Core Ultra 5 135UL.

The integrated graphics solutions differ as well. The Core 9 273PE ships with UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL includes Arc Xe-LPG 64EU. The socket types are incompatible: the Core 9 273PE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL uses Intel Socket 1851.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 9 273PE is positioned for raw compute performance. Its higher boost clock of 5.70 GHz, larger 36 MB L3 cache, and 24 threads give it a clear advantage in multithreaded workloads. The data shows that it holds a 90th percentile ranking among all CPUs, indicating strong overall performance relative to the broader market. The Core 9 273PE also supports PCIe Gen 5 connectivity and ECC memory, making it suitable for tasks that require high bandwidth and data integrity, such as server-like desktop workloads or heavy content creation.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL, by contrast, is built around efficiency. Its TDP is 15 watts compared to 65 watts for the Core 9 273PE. The lower base clock of 1.60 GHz and boost clock of 4.40 GHz suggest a design focused on power conservation rather than peak throughput. It also uses the newer 7 nm process node and integrates Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics, which likely delivers better integrated graphics performance than the UHD Graphics 730 in the Core 9 273PE. The Core Ultra 5 135UL falls into the 50th percentile among all CPUs, reflecting a mid-range performance profile.

The Core 9 273PE wins on CPU-bound tasks that scale with threads and cache, such as rendering, compilation, and scientific computing. The Core Ultra 5 135UL wins in scenarios where low power consumption and integrated graphics capability matter more than raw CPU throughput. The socket difference also means the two parts target entirely different platforms, so the choice is often dictated by the motherboard and system design.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specifications. The base clock on the Core 9 273PE is 2.30 GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL sits at 1.60 GHz. The boost clock is 5.70 GHz on the Core 9 273PE versus 4.40 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 135UL. The TDP is 65 watts for the Core 9 273PE and 15 watts for the Core Ultra 5 135UL.

The process node is 10 nm for the Core 9 273PE and 7 nm for the Core Ultra 5 135UL. The Core 9 273PE supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL supports only DDR5. Both have dual-channel memory buses and identical memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the Core 9 273PE but not on the Core Ultra 5 135UL.

The PCIe interface differs: Gen 5 with 16 lanes on the Core 9 273PE versus Gen 4 with 8 lanes on the Core Ultra 5 135UL. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 9 273PE and Arc Xe-LPG 64EU on the Core Ultra 5 135UL. The socket is Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 9 273PE and Intel Socket 1851 for the Core Ultra 5 135UL. The L1 cache is 80 KB per core on the Core 9 273PE and 112 KB per core on the Core Ultra 5 135UL. The L3 cache is 36 MB shared on the Core 9 273PE and 12 MB shared on the Core Ultra 5 135UL.

The release dates also differ: the Core 9 273PE launched in March 2026, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL launched in April 2024. The launch MSRP for the Core 9 273PE is $549, and for the Core Ultra 5 135UL it is $331. Both processors have locked multipliers. The part numbers are SA4QD for the Core 9 273PE and SRN97 for the Core Ultra 5 135UL.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark entries comparing the two processors. However, the Intel Core 9 273PE has a full suite of recorded benchmark scores, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL has no benchmark data recorded. This absence of data for the Core Ultra 5 135UL makes a direct numerical comparison impossible from the recorded measurements.

Focusing only on the available data for the Core 9 273PE, it shows strong performance across multiple tests. In Cinebench R23, it scores 31,288 in multicore and 4,417 in singlecore. In Cinebench R20, it scores 13,140 multicore and 1,855 singlecore. The Cinebench R15 results are 3,153 multicore and 445 singlecore. PassMark tests show 368,210 in multithread, 3,650 in singlethread, 107,884 in floating point math, and 139,410 in integer math. Data compression scores 405,885, data encryption scores 22,719, extended instructions score 24,630, and find prime numbers scores 203. Physics scores 3,120, and random string sorting scores 45,098.

The average benchmark score for the Core 9 273PE is 49,845, and its percentile ranking is 90. Its nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 with an average score of 49,796 and a delta of 0.1%, the Intel Core i5-14600KF with 49,394 and a delta of 0.9%, the Intel Core i9-13980HX with 50,398 and a delta of -1.1%, and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 with 50,448 and a delta of -1.2%. These figures place the Core 9 273PE within a narrow performance band, slightly ahead of the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 and the Core i5-14600KF, and slightly behind the Core i9-13980HX and the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370.

The Core Ultra 5 135UL has no recorded benchmark scores, no average benchmark score, and no nearest rivals listed. Its percentile ranking is 50, which is the midpoint of the CPU distribution, but without actual scores, the ranking cannot be substantiated by measured data in the database.

The Verdict

The Intel Core 9 273PE is the clear choice for applications that demand high CPU throughput. Its 24 threads, 5.70 GHz boost clock, and 36 MB L3 cache provide the foundation for strong multithreaded and single-threaded performance. The recorded benchmark data confirms this, with a 90th percentile ranking and an average score of 49,845. The Core 9 273PE also offers PCIe Gen 5 support and ECC memory, which are relevant for workstation-class workloads.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135UL is the appropriate option for systems where power efficiency is the priority. Its 15 watt TDP is significantly lower than the 65 watt TDP of the Core 9 273PE. The 7 nm process node and Arc Xe-LPG 64EU integrated graphics indicate a design oriented toward compact, low-power desktop systems. However, the absence of benchmark data for this part means its performance cannot be quantified from the database.

The socket incompatibility is decisive: Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 9 273PE versus Intel Socket 1851 for the Core Ultra 5 135UL ensures that platform choice determines which processor can be used. The Core 9 273PE targets performance-focused builds with higher power budgets, while the Core Ultra 5 135UL targets efficiency-focused builds with lower power budgets. The choice between them depends entirely on the platform requirements and the priority placed on raw compute versus power consumption.