Intel Core 9 273PE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results split these two Intel desktop processors into clear use-case territories. The Intel Core 9 273PE wins 13 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 takes 4. The Core 9 273PE dominates multi-threaded workloads, rendering, and heavy computational tasks. Its Cinebench R20 multicore score of 13140 versus 6317 for the Ultra 5 225 represents a 108% advantage, the largest single gap in the entire comparison. Similarly, PassMark integer math shows 139410 against 65345, a 113.3% lead. These are not marginal differences; they indicate a processor designed for sustained parallel throughput.

The Core Ultra 5 225, however, wins in specific single-thread and specialized instruction tests. It leads in PassMark single-thread scoring with 4412 versus 3650, a 17.3% advantage. It also wins PassMark extended instructions (27162 vs 24630, a 9.3% lead) and PassMark find prime numbers (358 vs 203, a 43.3% lead). These wins point to workloads that depend on high per-core efficiency and specific instruction execution rather than raw core count. The Ultra 5 225 also ties or nearly ties in data encryption (22285 vs 22719, a 1.9% edge for the Core 9 273PE), showing that encryption workloads do not strongly favor either chip.

For builders choosing between these two, the decision hinges on whether the workload scales with cores and threads. The Core 9 273PE offers 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Ultra 5 225 offers 10 cores and 10 threads. That thread disparity explains most of the multicore gaps. The Ultra 5 225 compensates with a higher single-thread PassMark score, but that advantage does not translate into wins in Cinebench single-core tests, where the Core 9 273PE leads by 20.8% to 20.9% across all three Cinebench versions.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE boosts to 5.70 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 boosts to 4.90 GHz. The Core 9 273PE also has a lower base clock at 2.30 GHz versus 3.30 GHz for the Ultra 5 225.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core 9 273PE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 does not. This makes the Core 9 273PE more suitable for error-sensitive computing environments.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache capacity?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has 20 MB. The Core 9 273PE also uses a smaller per-core L1 cache (80 KB vs 192 KB) and per-core L2 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).

Q: How do the processors compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE scores 31288, which is 20.8% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 score of 25891. The Core 9 273PE also leads in Cinebench R23 single-core with 4417 versus 3655, a 20.8% gap.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE has an average benchmark score of 49845, placing it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 averages 36938, placing it in the 85th percentile.

Q: What are the closest rivals for each processor according to the database?

A: The Core 9 273PE sits within 1.2% of the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388, Intel Core i5-14600KF, Intel Core i9-13980HX, and AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370. The Ultra 5 225 sits within 0.5% of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D, AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450, and Intel Core i9-12900T.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows consistent and substantial leads for the Core 9 273PE. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 3153 against 2609, a 20.9% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows the same 20.9% gap, with 445 versus 368. Cinebench R20 widens the multicore gap dramatically: 13140 versus 6317, a 108% difference. The R20 single-core test follows with 1855 versus 891, a 108.2% lead. Cinebench R23 multicore gives 31288 versus 25891, a 20.8% gap, and single-core gives 4417 versus 3655, also 20.8%. The pattern is clear: the Core 9 273PE wins every Cinebench test, and the margin stays consistent at roughly 21% except for the R20 tests where the multicore advantage doubles.

PassMark results tell a more nuanced story. The Core 9 273PE wins data compression with 405885 versus 302811, a 34% lead. It wins floating point math with 107884 versus 92038, a 17.2% gap. Integer math shows its largest PassMark win: 139410 versus 65345, a 113.3% margin. Multithread scoring gives 36810 versus 30459, a 20.9% lead. Physics tests show 3120 versus 2342, a 33.2% advantage. Random string sorting gives 45098 versus 36590, a 23.3% lead. Data encryption is nearly even: 22719 versus 22285, a 1.9% edge for the Core 9 273PE.

The Ultra 5 225 takes the remaining PassMark tests. PassMark single-thread shows 4412 versus 3650, a 17.3% win for the Ultra 5 225. Extended instructions give 27162 versus 24630, a 9.3% lead. Find prime numbers shows the largest single test advantage for either chip in percentage terms: 358 versus 203, a 43.3% win for the Ultra 5 225. These wins demonstrate that the Ultra 5 225 has genuine strengths in specific instruction-heavy and single-threaded tasks, even though it loses the overall benchmark count 13 to 4.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification. The Core 9 273PE uses 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Ultra 5 225 uses 10 cores and 10 threads. Thread count is the most consequential difference, as the Core 9 273PE offers hyper-threading while the Ultra 5 225 does not. Base clocks differ: 2.30 GHz for the Core 9 273PE versus 3.30 GHz for the Ultra 5 225. Boost clocks also differ, with 5.70 GHz versus 4.90 GHz. Both have a 65 W TDP.

The socket and platform differ completely. The Core 9 273PE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 5 225 uses Intel Socket 1851. Memory support differs: the Core 9 273PE supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 225 supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory, but memory bandwidth is higher on the Ultra 5 225 at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. ECC memory is supported only on the Core 9 273PE. PCIe lanes differ: the Core 9 273PE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the Ultra 5 225 provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 9 273PE versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU on the Ultra 5 225.

The launch MSRP for the Core 9 273PE is $549, while the Ultra 5 225 launched at $246. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. Release dates differ by over a year, with the Ultra 5 225 launching in January 2025 and the Core 9 273PE launching in March 2026. Both are listed as Active production status and target the desktop market segment.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is stark. The Core 9 273PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 9 (Bartlett Lake) generation. It is built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's own foundry. The Ultra 5 225 uses the Arrow Lake-S codename and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, specifically the Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake) generation. It is built on a 3 nm process node at TSMC.

The Ultra 5 225 is a significantly more advanced process node, which explains its higher base clock and better single-thread PassMark performance despite fewer cores. The process node difference also shows in transistor count: the Ultra 5 225 has 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The Core 9 273PE does not have recorded transistor or die size data in the database.

Cache architecture differs in both size and organization. The Core 9 273PE uses 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. The Ultra 5 225 uses 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3. The Ultra 5 225 has larger per-core caches, which supports its single-thread strengths. The Core 9 273PE has nearly double the total L3 cache, which benefits its multithreaded workloads. The Ultra 5 225 also supports higher memory bandwidth (102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s) and more PCIe lanes (20 versus 16), indicating a newer platform design.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a clear split. The Intel Core 9 273PE is the processor for multi-threaded, parallel, and rendering-heavy workloads. Its 12 cores and 24 threads deliver 20.8% to 108% advantages in Cinebench multicore tests and a 113.3% lead in PassMark integer math. It also wins data compression, floating point math, physics, multithread, and random string sorting by margins between 17.2% and 34%. Its 90th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 49845, places it in the company of the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 (0.1% ahead) and the Intel Core i9-13980HX (1.1% behind). For users who compile, render, encode, or run heavily threaded simulations, the data favors the Core 9 273PE.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is the processor for single-threaded efficiency and specific instruction-heavy tasks. Its 10 cores and 10 threads, built on a 3 nm TSMC process, deliver a 17.3% win in PassMark single-thread, a 9.3% win in extended instructions, and a 43.3% win in find prime numbers. Its 85th percentile ranking, with an average score of 36938, puts it in the same class as the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F (0% difference) and the Intel Core i9-12900T (0.5% ahead). It also provides higher memory bandwidth and more PCIe lanes than the Core 9 273PE.

The data does not support a universal winner. The Core 9 273PE wins 13 tests, but the Ultra 5 225 wins the tests that matter for single-thread responsiveness and certain cryptographic or prime-calculation workloads. The Core 9 273PE offers ECC memory support and DDR4 compatibility, which matters for stability-focused builds. The Ultra 5 225 uses a newer socket and process node, which matters for platform longevity. The choice depends entirely on whether the workload scales with threads or relies on per-core speed and instruction execution.