Intel Core 9 273PE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data splits these two processors into clear, distinct profiles. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins 13 of the 17 recorded comparisons, while the Intel Core 9 273PE takes 4. The decisive factor is workload type: the Core Ultra 5 dominates heavily threaded and instruction-heavy tasks, while the Core 9 273PE shows a remarkable single-thread advantage in certain legacy and rendering tests.

The largest single margin belongs to the Core 9 273PE in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 4417 against 2261, a 95.4% advantage. That is nearly double the performance of the Core Ultra 5 in that specific test. The Core 9 273PE also leads Cinebench R15 single-core with 445 versus 328, a 35.7% gap. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core 9 273PE edges ahead by 1.4% (31288 versus 30867), and it wins PassMark integer math by 11.4% (139410 versus 125091).

The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus counters with broad wins across the remaining workload suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it posts 4640 against 3153, a 32% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core goes to the Core Ultra 5 by 28.7% (18442 versus 13140), and the same 28.7% margin appears in Cinebench R20 single-core (2603 versus 1855). PassMark multi-thread shows a 28.7% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 (51596 versus 36810). Data compression favors the Core Ultra 5 by 28.6% (568721 versus 405885), and data encryption shows a 46.1% gap (42144 versus 22719). Extended instructions run 44.7% faster on the Core Ultra 5 (44565 versus 24630), and prime number finding is 58.2% faster (486 versus 203). Floating point math favors the Core Ultra 5 by 33.7% (162692 versus 107884), physics by 10.7% (3494 versus 3120), and random string sorting by 34.7% (69090 versus 45098). Single-thread PassMark also goes to the Core Ultra 5, 4757 versus 3650, a 23.3% margin.

Average benchmark scores reinforce the overall picture. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus records an average of 66855 and sits at the 93rd percentile among all CPUs. The Core 9 273PE averages 49845 and ranks at the 90th percentile. The Core Ultra 5's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 4465P at 66925 (0.1% higher), the Intel Xeon 6515P at 67006 (0.2% higher), and the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX at 67469 (0.9% higher). The Core 9 273PE sits close to the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 at 49796 (0.1% higher), the Intel Core i5-14600KF at 49394 (0.9% lower), and the Intel Core i9-13980HX at 50398 (1.1% higher).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE scores 4417, which is 95.4% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus at 2261.

Q: How much faster is the Core Ultra 5 in PassMark multi-thread?

A: The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus scores 51596 versus 36810 for the Core 9 273PE, a 28.7% advantage.

Q: Does the Core 9 273PE win any multi-core tests?

A: Yes. It wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 1.4% (31288 versus 30867). It also wins PassMark integer math by 11.4%.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus averages 66855, while the Core 9 273PE averages 49845. The Core Ultra 5 also ranks at the 93rd percentile versus the 90th percentile for the Core 9.

Q: Which chip has more cores and threads?

A: The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. The Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Core 9 273PE boosts to 5.70 GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus boosts to 5.30 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design lines. The Core 9 273PE is built on Bartlett Lake, using a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, with the Arrow Lake Refresh codename, built on a 3 nm process node from TSMC, and uses Intel Socket 1851.

Cache organization differs substantially. The Core 9 273PE carries 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 9 273PE has more total L3, but the Core Ultra 5 has larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations.

The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has documented transistor and die data: 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The Core 9 273PE has no recorded transistor count or die size in the database. Memory support also differs. The Core 9 273PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports DDR5 only, also dual-channel, but with a higher recorded bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The Core 9 273PE provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ: the Core 9 273PE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.

The Core 9 273PE has a locked multiplier, while the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has an unlocked multiplier. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus also carries a series label, Core Ultra Series 2, which the Core 9 273PE lacks in the database.

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ.

| Field | Intel Core 9 273PE | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |

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

| Cores | 12 | 18 |

| Threads | 24 | 18 |

| Base clock | 2.30 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.70 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake Refresh |

| 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) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

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

| Launch MSRP | $549 | $199 |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part number | SA4QD | SA4UZ |

The release dates differ by two days: the Core 9 273PE records 2026-03-08, and the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus records 2026-03-10. Both are active desktop parts.

The Verdict

The recorded data indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the stronger overall processor. Its average benchmark score of 66855 is substantially higher than the Core 9 273PE's 49845, and its 93rd percentile ranking versus the 90th percentile confirms the gap. The Core Ultra 5 wins 13 of 17 head-to-head tests, including all PassMark encryption, compression, extended instruction, prime number, floating point, physics, random string sorting, and multi-thread tests. It also wins both Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests, plus Cinebench R20 single-core.

The Core 9 273PE is not without merit. It wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by a slim 1.4% margin, and its Cinebench R23 single-core result is 95.4% above the Core Ultra 5. It also leads in Cinebench R15 single-core by 35.7% and PassMark integer math by 11.4%. These wins point to a specific strength in certain single-threaded and integer workloads.

The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus also carries the higher TDP at 125 W versus 65 W, which aligns with its higher base clock of 4.20 GHz and its larger core count. The Core 9 273PE boosts higher at 5.70 GHz versus 5.30 GHz, and that higher boost appears to drive its single-core Cinebench wins. The Core Ultra 5 compensates with a smaller process node (3 nm versus 10 nm) and higher memory bandwidth (115.2 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s).

For overall performance, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the clear choice based on average score, percentile rank, and the majority of benchmark wins. The Core 9 273PE should be considered only for workloads that specifically match its strengths: Cinebench R23 multi-core, Cinebench single-core in R15 and R23, and integer math.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins across the broadest set of workloads. It is faster in data compression (568721 versus 405885), data encryption (42144 versus 22719), extended instructions (44565 versus 24630), prime number finding (486 versus 203), floating point math (162692 versus 107884), physics (3494 versus 3120), random string sorting (69090 versus 45098), and PassMark single-thread (4757 versus 3650). It also wins multi-core rendering in Cinebench R15 (4640 versus 3153) and R20 (18442 versus 13140), plus Cinebench R20 single-core (2603 versus 1855). Its PassMark multi-thread score of 51596 is 28.7% above the Core 9 273PE.

The Intel Core 9 273PE wins a narrower set of tests. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4417 is nearly double the Core Ultra 5's 2261. It also wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 445 versus 328, Cinebench R23 multi-core with 31288 versus 30867, and PassMark integer math with 139410 versus 125091.

The workload split is clear. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus suits general compute, encryption, compression, and multi-threaded rendering. The Core 9 273PE suits specific single-thread tests and integer-heavy operations. The database shows the Core Ultra 5 as the better all-around processor, with the Core 9 273PE winning only where its single-thread boost and integer throughput dominate.