Intel Core 9 273PE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear but nuanced picture. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core 9 273PE takes only 2. The Ultra 5 235HX achieves a 91st percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 52073. The Core 9 273PE sits at the 90th percentile with an average score of 49845, a gap of roughly 4.5%. The Ultra 5 235HX is the stronger all-round performer, particularly in Cinebench workloads where it holds a consistent 11% advantage across all six tests. It also dominates in PassMark encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, and single-thread tests. The Core 9 273PE, however, shows decisive wins in integer math (30.3% ahead) and physics (18.3% ahead), indicating a different workload profile.

For users prioritizing rendering, compression, encryption, or general single-threaded responsiveness, the Ultra 5 235HX is the data-backed choice. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 34731 versus 31288 for the Core 9 273PE demonstrates a meaningful lead in sustained multi-threaded rendering. The Core 9 273PE is only preferable when workloads are heavily weighted toward integer arithmetic or physics simulation, where its PassMark scores of 139410 and 3120 respectively outpace the Ultra 5 235HX. The Core 9 273PE also carries a launch MSRP of $549, while the Ultra 5 235HX has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. Note that the Ultra 5 235HX is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 2114, while the Core 9 273PE is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700, so platform compatibility will largely determine which is viable for a given build.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE has a boost clock of 5.70 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX boosts to 5.10 GHz. Despite this advantage, the Ultra 5 235HX wins the single-thread Cinebench R23 test with a score of 4903 versus 4417 for the Core 9 273PE, an 11% margin.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX has 14 cores and 14 threads. The Intel Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads, meaning it supports simultaneous multi-threading while the Ultra 5 235HX does not.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX does not. The Core 9 273PE also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the Ultra 5 235HX supports only DDR5.

Q: How do the two compare in memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX has a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, compared to 89.6 GB/s for the Intel Core 9 273PE. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Which chip is faster in integer math?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE is dramatically faster in PassMark integer math, scoring 139410 versus 97177 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX. This is a 30.3% advantage for the Core 9 273PE, which is its largest win in the entire head-to-head dataset.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX ranks at the 91st percentile among all CPUs, while the Intel Core 9 273PE ranks at the 90th percentile. Their average benchmark scores are 52073 and 49845, respectively.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design lineages. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX is based on Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-HX, and is manufactured on a 3 nm process node by TSMC. It belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 generation. The Intel Core 9 273PE uses Bartlett Lake architecture, fabricated on a 10 nm process node by Intel, and is categorized as a Core 9 generation part. The process node difference is substantial, with the Ultra 5 235HX using a much more advanced lithography.

The cache structures differ notably. The Ultra 5 235HX has 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 3 MB of L2 cache per core, with 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 9 273PE has 80 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, but a larger 36 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the Ultra 5 235HX has more per-core cache, while the Core 9 273PE has more aggregate L3 capacity.

The transistor count and die size are only recorded for the Ultra 5 235HX: 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The Core 9 273PE has no recorded transistor count or die size in the database. The Ultra 5 235HX also has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 9 273PE is locked.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Ultra 5 235HX features Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 48 execution units, while the Core 9 273PE uses UHD Graphics 730. The Ultra 5 235HX supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), whereas the Core 9 273PE supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Core 9 273PE is a desktop part with ECC memory support, while the Ultra 5 235HX is a mobile part without ECC support.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show several clear distinctions between the two processors:

• Cores: Ultra 5 235HX has 14 cores; Core 9 273PE has 12 cores.
• Threads: Ultra 5 235HX has 14 threads (no SMT); Core 9 273PE has 24 threads (with SMT).
• Base Clock: Ultra 5 235HX runs at 2.90 GHz; Core 9 273PE runs at 2.30 GHz.
• Boost Clock: Ultra 5 235HX boosts to 5.10 GHz; Core 9 273PE boosts to 5.70 GHz.
• TDP: Ultra 5 235HX has a TDP of 55 W; Core 9 273PE has a TDP of 65 W.
• Socket: Ultra 5 235HX uses Intel BGA 2114; Core 9 273PE uses Intel Socket 1700.
• Process Node: Ultra 5 235HX is 3 nm (TSMC); Core 9 273PE is 10 nm (Intel).
• L1 Cache: Ultra 5 235HX has 192 KB per core; Core 9 273PE has 80 KB per core.
• L2 Cache: Ultra 5 235HX has 3 MB per core; Core 9 273PE has 2 MB per core.
• L3 Cache: Ultra 5 235HX has 24 MB shared; Core 9 273PE has 36 MB shared.
• Memory Support: Ultra 5 235HX supports DDR5 only; Core 9 273PE supports DDR4 and DDR5.
• Memory Bandwidth: Ultra 5 235HX has 102.4 GB/s; Core 9 273PE has 89.6 GB/s.
• ECC Memory: Ultra 5 235HX does not support ECC; Core 9 273PE does.
• PCIe Lanes: Ultra 5 235HX has 20 lanes (Gen 5); Core 9 273PE has 16 lanes (Gen 5).
• Integrated Graphics: Ultra 5 235HX has Arc Xe-LPG 48EU; Core 9 273PE has UHD Graphics 730.
• Market Segment: Ultra 5 235HX is Mobile; Core 9 273PE is Desktop.
• Multiplier: Ultra 5 235HX is unlocked; Core 9 273PE is locked.
• Part Number: Ultra 5 235HX is SRVFL; Core 9 273PE is SA4QD.
• Launch MSRP: Only the Core 9 273PE has a recorded launch MSRP of $549.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a remarkably consistent pattern. Across all three versions (R15, R20, R23), the Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX wins both multi-core and single-core tests by exactly 11%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ultra 5 235HX scores 34731 against 31288 for the Core 9 273PE. In R23 single-core, the scores are 4903 versus 4417. The same 11% delta appears in R15 multi-core (3500 vs 3153), R15 single-core (494 vs 445), R20 multi-core (14587 vs 13140), and R20 single-core (2059 vs 1855). This uniformity suggests a consistent architectural advantage for the Ultra 5 235HX in Cinebench workloads.

The PassMark suite reveals a more varied picture. The Ultra 5 235HX dominates in data encryption, scoring 32697 versus 22719, a 43.9% advantage. It also leads in extended instructions (34808 vs 24630, a 41.3% margin) and prime number finding (361 vs 203, a 77.8% margin). In floating point math, the Ultra 5 235HX scores 129819 versus 107884, a 20.3% win. The single-thread PassMark test shows the Ultra 5 235HX at 4683 versus 3650, a 28.3% advantage. Data compression favors the Ultra 5 235HX by a narrower margin: 426417 versus 405885, a 5.1% difference. The multithread PassMark test also goes to the Ultra 5 235HX, 40849 versus 36810, an 11% lead. Random string sorting goes to the Ultra 5 235HX at 50929 versus 45098, a 12.9% margin.

The Core 9 273PE wins two tests decisively. In integer math, it scores 139410 against 97177 for the Ultra 5 235HX, a 30.3% advantage. In physics, it scores 3120 versus 2550, an 18.3% margin. These wins are substantial, but they are confined to these two specific workload types. The overall win count stands at 15 for the Ultra 5 235HX and 2 for the Core 9 273PE, which aligns with the average benchmark score differential of 52073 versus 49845.

The nearest rival data adds context. The Ultra 5 235HX sits within 1% of the AMD EPYC 8124P, AMD Ryzen 9 5950X, Intel Core i7-14700, and Intel Core i9-13900F. 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. Neither processor is an outlier relative to its closest competitors, but the Ultra 5 235HX holds a slightly higher average score and percentile rank.