Intel Core 9 273PE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a sharply split picture between these two desktop processors. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K wins 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 9 273PE takes 5. Wins are not evenly distributed; the two chips dominate in entirely different workload categories.

The most dramatic single result belongs to the Core 9 273PE in Cinebench R23 single-core. It scores 4417 against the Ultra 5 245K's 2132, a 107.2% advantage. That is the largest delta in the entire comparison. The Core 9 273PE also leads by 38.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 445 to 322. These results indicate that the Core 9 273PE delivers substantially higher per-thread performance in Cinebench's rendering engine.

Multi-core results are mixed. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 9 273PE wins with 31288 versus 25066, a 24.8% lead. However, in Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ultra 5 245K wins by 18.1%, scoring 3850 to 3153. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Ultra 5 245K again wins by 14.5%, 15368 to 13140. The two Cinebench versions clearly stress the chips differently, with the newer R23 favoring the Core 9 273PE's architecture.

PassMark results favor the Ultra 5 245K in most categories. Data encryption shows the Ultra 5 245K ahead by 31.7%, scoring 33286 against 22719. Extended instructions favor the Ultra 5 245K by 34.5%, 37617 to 24630. Find prime numbers is a 51% win for the Ultra 5 245K, 414 to 203. Floating point math goes to the Ultra 5 245K by 17.4%, 130678 to 107884. Random string sorting favors the Ultra 5 245K by 18.1%, 55098 to 45098. Data compression shows a narrower 11.5% lead for the Ultra 5 245K, 458817 to 405885. The PassMark multi-thread test confirms the pattern with a 14.5% win for the Ultra 5 245K, 43047 to 36810. Single-thread PassMark also goes to the Ultra 5 245K by 22.6%, 4714 to 3650.

The Core 9 273PE takes PassMark integer math by a wide 41.5%, 139410 to 98524. It also wins PassMark physics by a slim 1.3%, 3120 to 3081. These two wins, combined with the Cinebench single-core results, show the Core 9 273PE's strength in integer-heavy and single-threaded workloads.

Average benchmark scores reinforce the overall picture. The Ultra 5 245K averages 54053 across all benchmarks, putting it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Core 9 273PE averages 49845, which lands in the 90th percentile. The 8.4% gap in average score is significant. The Core 9 273PE's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 at 49796, just 0.1% behind, and the Intel Core i5-14600KF at 49394, 0.9% behind. The Ultra 5 245K sits near the Intel Xeon 6505P at 53701, only 0.7% behind, and the Intel Core i7-14700F at 53620, 0.8% behind. These rival positions show both chips are tightly clustered with comparable alternatives, but the Ultra 5 245K sits in a higher performance tier.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different platforms. The Core 9 273PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and fits the Intel Socket 1700. It is fabricated on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The Core Ultra 5 245K uses the Arrow Lake-S codename, part of the Core Ultra Series 2, and fits the Intel Socket 1851. It is fabricated on a 3 nm process at TSMC. The process difference is substantial, with the Ultra 5 245K using a much more advanced node.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads, using hyperthreading to double thread count. The Core Ultra 5 245K has 14 cores and 14 threads, with no hyperthreading. Despite having fewer cores, the Core 9 273PE's thread count is much higher. The Ultra 5 245K runs at a higher base clock of 4.20 GHz versus 2.30 GHz, but the Core 9 273PE boosts higher at 5.70 GHz versus 5.20 GHz.

Cache layouts are quite different. The Core 9 273PE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 245K has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Core 9 273PE has more L3 cache overall, but the Ultra 5 245K has more L1 and L2 per core. The Ultra 5 245K's die is 243 mm² with 17,800 million transistors; the Core 9 273PE's die size and transistor count are not recorded in the database.

Memory support diverges. The Core 9 273PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 5 245K supports DDR5 only. Both are dual-channel. The Ultra 5 245K has higher memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for the Core 9 273PE. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs. The Core 9 273PE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Core Ultra 5 245K provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics also differ: the Core 9 273PE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 245K uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The Ultra 5 245K has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking; the Core 9 273PE is locked. The Ultra 5 245K draws more power, with a 125 W TDP versus 65 W for the Core 9 273PE.

Release timing and pricing differ. The Core 9 273PE launched later, with a release date in March 2026 and a launch MSRP of $549. The Core Ultra 5 245K launched in October 2024 with a launch MSRP of $319. The Core 9 273PE is part of the Bartlett Lake generation, while the Ultra 5 245K belongs to the Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake) generation.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K wins 12 of 17 recorded head-to-head tests. The Intel Core 9 273PE wins the remaining 5.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark margin between the two?

A: Cinebench R23 single-core shows the largest delta. The Core 9 273PE scores 4417 versus 2132 for the Ultra 5 245K, a 107.2% advantage.

Q: How do the processors compare in average benchmark score?

A: The Ultra 5 245K averages 54053 across all benchmarks, placing in the 91st percentile. The Core 9 273PE averages 49845, placing in the 90th percentile.

Q: Do the processors use the same socket?

A: No. The Core 9 273PE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 245K uses Intel Socket 1851.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Core 9 273PE has 24 threads from 12 cores. The Core Ultra 5 245K has 14 threads from 14 cores.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Core 9 273PE supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 5 245K supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split by workload type. The Core 9 273PE is the choice for single-threaded rendering performance and integer math. Its 107.2% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 41.5% lead in PassMark integer math are decisive. It also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 24.8%, showing strength in that specific rendering test.

The Core Ultra 5 245K is the better all-round performer. It wins the majority of tests, including all PassMark categories except integer math and physics. Its 31.7% lead in data encryption, 34.5% lead in extended instructions, and 22.6% lead in single-thread PassMark indicate broad capability. The higher average benchmark score of 54053 versus 49845 confirms this.

The Core Ultra 5 245K also offers practical advantages. It has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, higher memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s, more PCIe lanes at 20, and a smaller 3 nm process from TSMC. It launched with a lower launch MSRP of $319 versus $549 for the Core 9 273PE. The Core 9 273PE counters with a higher boost clock of 5.70 GHz, more L3 cache at 36 MB, and support for older DDR4 memory.

For users whose workloads match the Core 9 273PE's strengths, specifically single-threaded Cinebench rendering or integer-heavy calculations, the data shows a clear winner. For general desktop use, encryption, compression, and floating point math, the Ultra 5 245K's 12 wins out of 17 tests make it the stronger choice. The 91st percentile placement versus 90th percentile reinforces the Ultra 5 245K's overall edge.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 9 273PE | Intel Core Ultra 5 245K |

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

| Cores | 12 | 14 |

| Threads | 24 | 14 |

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.70 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake-S |

| Generation | Core 9 (Bartlett Lake) | Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 243 mm² |

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

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 36 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $549 | $319 |

| Release Date | 2026-03-08 | 2024-10-23 |

| Part Number | SA4QD | SRQCT |