Intel Core 9 273PE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 226V Comparison

The Intel Core 9 273PE and Intel Core Ultra 5 226V represent two distinct design philosophies within Intel’s current lineup. The Core 9 273PE is a desktop-focused processor built on the Bartlett Lake architecture, while the Core Ultra 5 226V is a mobile chip from the Lunar Lake family. The recorded data shows a clear performance hierarchy, but the two chips serve fundamentally different purposes. This analysis breaks down where each processor wins, what separates them internally, and what the benchmark results mean for real-world usage.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split is decisive. The Intel Core 9 273PE wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, with the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V taking only 2. The Core 9 273PE’s victories span every major category, including multi-core rendering, encryption, and physics simulations. Its most dominant win comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 139410 against the Ultra 5 226V’s 38647, a 260.7% advantage. This indicates a massive throughput difference for tasks that rely on raw arithmetic processing, such as compilation or scientific computing.

The Core Ultra 5 226V’s sole wins come in the PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests, where it scores 3754 in both, edging out the Core 9 273PE’s 3650 by 2.8%. This is a narrow margin, but it is consistent across two identical test entries. The data suggests the Ultra 5 226V has a slight efficiency advantage in lightly threaded workloads, likely due to its newer 3 nm process node and higher per-core cache allocation. However, this advantage is minimal in absolute terms.

For multi-threaded productivity, the Core 9 273PE is the clear choice. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 31288 dwarfs the Ultra 5 226V’s 9848, a 217.7% lead. Similarly, in PassMark multi-thread, the Core 9 273PE scores 36810 against 17850, a 106.2% advantage. The data indicates that the Core 9 273PE is designed for sustained, heavy workloads, while the Ultra 5 226V targets efficiency and portability.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The Core 9 273PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is fabricated on a 10 nm process node by Intel. It features 12 cores and 24 threads, which is a hybrid design that leverages simultaneous multithreading. Its base clock is 2.30 GHz with a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. The chip uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, indicating it is a desktop part with upgrade potential.

In contrast, the Core Ultra 5 226V belongs to the Lunar Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process by TSMC. It has 8 cores and 8 threads, with no hyper-threading support. Its base clock is 2.10 GHz and boost clock is 4.50 GHz. The chip uses the Intel BGA 2833 socket, which is a soldered mobile package. This difference in socket and process node explains much of the performance disparity: the Core 9 273PE has more cores, higher clocks, and a larger power envelope.

Cache configuration also differs significantly. 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 226V has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, but only 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Despite having less total L3, the Ultra 5 226V’s larger per-core L1 and L2 caches contribute to its slight single-thread win, as shown in the PassMark single-thread scores.

Memory support further differentiates the two. The Core 9 273PE supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, and it includes ECC memory support. The Core Ultra 5 226V also uses dual-channel memory, but its specific memory support is listed as unknown and dependent on the motherboard, with no ECC capability. For PCIe connectivity, the Core 9 273PE offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the Ultra 5 226V provides Gen 5 with only 4 lanes. This makes the Core 9 273PE far more suitable for high-bandwidth expansion cards or multiple GPUs.

The integrated graphics also differ. The Core 9 273PE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 5 226V pairs with Arc 130V. The Arc 130V is a newer, more capable integrated GPU, which may benefit mobile users who rely on integrated graphics for light media work. However, the CPU benchmark data does not include graphics tests, so any graphical comparison remains qualitative.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single margin in the dataset is in PassMark integer math, where the Core 9 273PE leads by 260.7%. This test measures raw integer operations per second, and the Core 9 273PE’s 24 threads provide a substantial advantage over the Ultra 5 226V’s 8 threads. A similar pattern appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Core 9 273PE scores 31288 versus 9848, a 217.7% lead. This confirms that the Core 9 273PE excels in heavily parallel workloads, such as 3D rendering or video encoding.

The Core 9 273PE also shows strong gains in single-core tests, albeit with smaller margins. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 4417 against 1744, a 153.3% advantage. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R15 and R20 single-core, with leads of 66.7% and 106.1% respectively. This is notable because single-core performance is often a weak point for high-core-count chips, but the Core 9 273PE’s boost clock of 5.70 GHz clearly compensates.

In memory-sensitive tasks, the Core 9 273PE’s higher bandwidth is evident. PassMark data compression shows a 137.8% lead, with scores of 405885 versus 170687. Data encryption also favors the Core 9 273PE by 78.7%, scoring 22719 against 12710. These results align with the chip’s 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth and larger L3 cache, which reduce latency for large datasets.

The Ultra 5 226V’s only wins are narrow but consistent. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 3754 against 3650, a 2.8% lead. This is repeated in the PassMark singlethread test, which is an identical metric. The Ultra 5 226V’s smaller core count and higher per-core L2 cache (2.5 MB versus 2 MB) likely contribute to this edge. However, the margin is too small to recommend the Ultra 5 226V for any single-thread-heavy application, especially when the Core 9 273PE wins the more demanding Cinebench single-core tests by over 100%.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear use-case separation. The Intel Core 9 273PE is the superior processor for desktop workloads that demand high multi-threaded throughput. Its 15 benchmark wins, including a 217.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and a 260.7% lead in PassMark integer math, make it the obvious choice for rendering, compilation, or scientific simulations. It also wins in single-core Cinebench tests by over 100%, which means it does not sacrifice responsiveness in lighter tasks. The chip’s 65 W TDP and Socket 1700 platform indicate it is designed for systems with adequate cooling and power delivery.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 226V, with its 17 W TDP and BGA 2833 socket, is a mobile processor built for efficiency. Its 2.8% lead in PassMark single-thread tests is the only performance advantage, but the chip’s 3 nm process node and Arc 130V integrated graphics suggest it is optimized for battery life and compact designs. The data shows it sits in the 73rd percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 9 273PE sits in the 90th percentile. For users who prioritize portability and low power consumption over raw performance, the Ultra 5 226V is the logical choice. For everyone else, the Core 9 273PE delivers significantly higher scores across nearly every metric.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE scores 31288, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V scores 9848. The Core 9 273PE leads by 217.7%.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V win any benchmark against the Core 9 273PE?

A: Yes, it wins the PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests, scoring 3754 in both. The Core 9 273PE scores 3650 in those tests, a 2.8% difference.

Q: What are the core counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 226V has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What socket do these processors use?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE uses Intel Socket 1700. The Intel Core Ultra 5 226V uses Intel BGA 2833.

Q: Which chip has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 5 226V has 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE has a TDP of 65 W. The Intel Core Ultra 5 226V has a TDP of 17 W.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 9 273PE | Intel Core Ultra 5 226V |

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

| Cores | 12 | 8 |

| Threads | 24 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.70 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 17 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Lunar Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 36 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | Unknown (depends on motherboard) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC Memory | True | False |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc 130V |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2026-03-08 | 2024-09-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $549 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SA4QD | SRPMQSRPMR |