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

The Verdict

The benchmark data separates these two desktop processors along clear lines. The Intel Core 9 273PE wins 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T takes 5. The Core 9 273PE holds the overall performance lead, with an average benchmark score of 49,845 compared to 38,194 for the Ultra 5 245T. That places the Core 9 273PE in the 90th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Ultra 5 245T sits in the 86th percentile.

The Core 9 273PE is the choice for multi-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 31,288 beats the Ultra 5 245T's 26,208 by 19.4%. The margin repeats across all Cinebench multi-core tests, with identical 19.4% deltas in R15, R20, and R23. The PassMark multithread score follows the same pattern: 36,810 versus 30,833, again a 19.4% advantage.

The Ultra 5 245T counters in single-thread performance. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4,367 beats the Core 9 273PE's 3,650 by 16.4%. It also wins data encryption by 4%, prime number finding by 37.3%, and floating-point math by a slim 0.6%. Those wins matter for specific workloads, but they do not offset the Core 9 273PE's broad multi-core dominance.

The Core 9 273PE targets users running heavily threaded applications: rendering, video encoding, scientific computing, and database workloads. The Ultra 5 245T suits users whose tasks are lightly threaded or encryption-heavy, where its single-thread and encryption advantages show.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design lineages. The Core 9 273PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 9 generation. It is built on a 10 nm process node at Intel's own foundry. The Ultra 5 245T uses the Arrow Lake-S codename, belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, and is built on a 3 nm process node at TSMC. The Ultra 5 245T packs 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die; the Core 9 273PE does not have transistor or die size figures recorded.

Core counts differ in structure. The Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads, meaning it uses simultaneous multithreading. The Ultra 5 245T has 14 cores but only 14 threads, indicating no multithreading per core. Despite having two more physical cores, the Ultra 5 245T loses multi-core tests because each core executes only one thread.

Cache layouts also diverge. The Core 9 273PE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Ultra 5 245T has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Core 9 273PE's larger shared L3 cache helps in workloads that benefit from a bigger last-level pool.

Clock speeds favor the Core 9 273PE. Its base clock is 2.30 GHz with a boost of 5.70 GHz. The Ultra 5 245T runs at 2.20 GHz base and 5.10 GHz boost. Both have a 65 TDP. Neither is multiplier-unlocked, so overclocking headroom is not a differentiator.

Memory support differs. The Core 9 273PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, with memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Ultra 5 245T supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, with a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe lane counts favor the Ultra 5 245T. It provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Core 9 273PE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics also differ: the Core 9 273PE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 5 245T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.

Sockets are incompatible. The Core 9 273PE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 5 245T uses Intel Socket 1851. The Core 9 273PE launched on 2026-03-08 with a launch MSRP of $549. The Ultra 5 245T launched earlier, on 2025-01-06, with a launch MSRP of $270.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows consistent margins. In R15 multi-core, the Core 9 273PE scores 3,153 versus 2,641, a 19.4% win. In R15 single-core, it scores 445 versus 372, a 19.6% win. R20 multi-core: 13,140 versus 11,007, 19.4%. R20 single-core: 1,855 versus 1,553, 19.4%. R23 multi-core: 31,288 versus 26,208, 19.4%. R23 single-core: 4,417 versus 3,699, 19.4%. The consistency indicates the Core 9 273PE holds a uniform architectural advantage across rendering workloads.

PassMark integer math delivers the largest win for the Core 9 273PE. Its score of 139,410 crushes the Ultra 5 245T's 88,676 by 57.2%. Data compression also heavily favors the Core 9 273PE: 405,885 versus 283,812, a 43% gap. Physics tests show a 37% win for the Core 9 273PE at 3,120 versus 2,278. Random string sorting goes to the Core 9 273PE by 29.1%, at 45,098 versus 34,931. Extended instructions favor the Core 9 273PE by 11.6%, at 24,630 versus 22,071. PassMark multithread mirrors the Cinebench pattern at 36,810 versus 30,833, a 19.4% win.

The Ultra 5 245T wins five tests, but the margins vary widely. Its largest win is in prime number finding, where it scores 324 versus 203, a 37.3% advantage. PassMark single-thread shows a 16.4% win at 4,367 versus 3,650. Data encryption goes to the Ultra 5 245T by 4%, at 23,656 versus 22,719. Floating-point math is nearly a tie: 108,499 versus 107,884, a 0.6% win for the Ultra 5 245T.

The rival context reinforces the positioning. The Core 9 273PE's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388, which trails by just 0.1% in average score, and the Intel Core i9-13980HX, which leads by 1.1%. The Core 9 273PE sits 0.9% ahead of the Intel Core i5-14600KF. The Ultra 5 245T's nearest rivals cluster tightly: the AMD Ryzen 7 250 is 0.1% behind, the Intel Core i5-14490F is 0.1% ahead, the Intel Core i5-13600HX is 0.2% behind, and the Intel Core i5-13600KF is 0.2% ahead. The Ultra 5 245T's performance class is clearly lower, matching mid-range Core i5 parts rather than high-end Core 9 parts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245T has 14 physical cores, while the Intel Core 9 273PE has 12. However, the Core 9 273PE has 24 threads versus the Ultra 5 245T's 14 threads, so the Core 9 273PE can execute more concurrent threads.

Q: Does the Intel Core 9 273PE support DDR4 memory?

A: Yes, the Core 9 273PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. The Ultra 5 245T supports only DDR5.

Q: Which chip has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE boosts to 5.70 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T boosts to 5.10 GHz. The base clocks are 2.30 GHz and 2.20 GHz, respectively.

Q: How do the single-thread performance scores compare?

A: The Ultra 5 245T wins PassMark single-thread tests with a score of 4,367 versus the Core 9 273PE's 3,650, a 16.4% advantage. However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the Core 9 273PE wins with 4,417 versus 3,699, a 19.4% lead.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245T provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core 9 273PE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE has an average benchmark score of 49,845 and sits in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245T has an average benchmark score of 38,194 and sits in the 86th percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 9 273PE dominates in all multi-threaded and integer-heavy workloads. Its 57.2% margin in integer math and 43% margin in data compression are the standout differences. It also wins Cinebench multi-core by a uniform 19.4% across all three versions, indicating consistent rendering performance. Physics simulation, random string sorting, and extended instruction tests all favor the Core 9 273PE with margins from 11.6% to 37%. The data shows this processor is built for compute-heavy parallel tasks: 3D rendering, video processing, code compilation, and scientific simulation.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245T wins where the workload is single-threaded or uses specialized instructions. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4,367 represents a 16.4% advantage, useful for applications that scale poorly across cores. Prime number finding shows a 37.3% win, indicating strong performance in certain mathematical workloads. Data encryption wins by 4%, making it a reasonable choice for encryption-heavy server tasks. Floating-point math is essentially tied, with the Ultra 5 245T leading by only 0.6%.

The use-case split follows the benchmark pattern. The Core 9 273PE serves users who run heavily threaded software and need maximum multi-core throughput. Its 24 threads and larger 36 MB L3 cache support parallel workloads effectively. The Ultra 5 245T serves users with lightly threaded applications where single-thread speed matters more than core count. Its 14 physical cores still provide solid multi-core capability, but the lack of multithreading limits its ceiling in parallel tasks.

The Core 9 273PE's 90th percentile ranking versus the Ultra 5 245T's 86th percentile confirms the overall performance gap. The rival comparisons reinforce this: the Core 9 273PE trades blows with AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 and Intel Core i9-13980HX, while the Ultra 5 245T competes with AMD Ryzen 7 250 and Intel Core i5-13600KF. The database records 12 wins for the Core 9 273PE and 5 for the Ultra 5 245T across the head-to-head suite.