Intel Core 9 273PE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255H Comparison

The Intel Core 9 273PE and the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H represent two distinct design philosophies from the same manufacturer, targeting different market segments. The recorded benchmark data shows a clear split in performance characteristics, with the desktop-oriented Core 9 273PE dominating most compute-heavy workloads while the mobile Core Ultra 7 255H demonstrates specific strengths in certain single-threaded and specialized tasks. The average benchmark score for the Core 9 273PE is 49845, placing it at the 90th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core Ultra 7 255H achieves an average score of 33537, placing it at the 83rd percentile. Out of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the Core 9 273PE wins 13, while the Core Ultra 7 255H takes 4.

Where Each One Wins

The data indicates that the Intel Core 9 273PE is the clear winner in heavily multithreaded and compute-intensive scenarios. Its most dominant victory comes in Cinebench R23 multicore, where it scores 31288 against the Ultra 7 255H's 9240, a massive 238.6% advantage. This pattern extends across other Cinebench versions: R15 multicore shows a 108.1% lead (3153 vs 1515), and R20 multicore shows a 105.9% lead (13140 vs 6381). The Core 9 273PE also leads in PassMark multithread with 36810 versus 30703, a 19.9% margin, and in integer math with 139410 versus 77975, a 78.8% lead. These results indicate the Core 9 273PE is better suited for rendering, video encoding, compilation, and other parallel workloads.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H wins in fewer tests, but its victories are notable. It takes the PassMark single-thread test with 4317 versus 3650, a 15.5% advantage, and the same margin appears in the PassMark singlethread test. It also wins PassMark data encryption with 23395 versus 22719, a 2.9% margin, and PassMark find prime numbers with 303 versus 203, a 33% advantage. These results suggest the Ultra 7 255H has a more efficient single-core architecture for certain algorithms, particularly those sensitive to cryptographic operations and prime number calculations, despite its lower overall average score.

The use-case split is therefore defined by workload type rather than overall performance. The Core 9 273PE is the choice for sustained multithreaded throughput and general integer arithmetic, while the Ultra 7 255H shows an edge in specific single-threaded tasks and cryptographic workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different foundations. The Intel Core 9 273PE uses the Bartlett Lake architecture, manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process node, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H uses the Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-H, manufactured by TSMC on a 3 nm process node. The Core 9 273PE belongs to the Core 9 (Bartlett Lake) generation, whereas the Ultra 7 255H belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 and the Ultra 7 (Arrow Lake-H) generation.

Core and thread configurations differ significantly. The Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads, indicating hyperthreading support. The Ultra 7 255H has 16 cores but only 16 threads, meaning no hyperthreading despite the higher physical core count. Cache hierarchies also differ: 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 Ultra 7 255H has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core L1 and L2 caches on the Ultra 7 255H likely contribute to its single-thread efficiency, while the larger L3 cache on the Core 9 273PE supports its multithreaded performance.

Clock speeds and power envelopes show the Core 9 273PE as the higher-performing desktop part. It has a base clock of 2.30 GHz, a boost clock of 5.70 GHz, and a TDP of 65 watts. The Ultra 7 255H has a base clock of 2.00 GHz, a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, and a much lower TDP of 28 watts. Socket and platform support also differ: the Core 9 273PE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 7 255H uses Intel BGA 2049, reflecting its mobile design. The Core 9 273PE supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel configuration and 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, while the Ultra 7 255H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with dual-channel configuration and 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe capabilities and integrated graphics also differ. The Core 9 273PE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and includes UHD Graphics 730. The Ultra 7 255H provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only) and includes the more capable Arc Graphics 140T. The release dates place the Ultra 7 255H earlier at 2025-01-12, with the Core 9 273PE following on 2026-03-08. The Core 9 273PE has a launch MSRP of $549, while the Ultra 7 255H has no recorded launch MSRP. Both processors have locked multipliers, and both are marked as Active in production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the entire comparison is Cinebench R23 multicore, where the Core 9 273PE scores 31288 versus the Ultra 7 255H's 9240, a 238.6% difference. This is the single largest margin in any test and underscores the Core 9 273PE's dominance in sustained multithreaded rendering. The single-core variant of the same test shows a 139.7% lead for the Core 9 273PE, scoring 4417 against 1843. Cinebench R20 singlecore shows a 106.1% lead (1855 vs 900), and R15 singlecore shows a 77.3% lead (445 vs 251). These Cinebench results consistently favor the Core 9 273PE across both single and multicore tests.

In PassMark workloads, the Core 9 273PE leads in integer math with 139410 versus 77975, a 78.8% margin, and in data compression with 405885 versus 298850, a 35.8% margin. Physics testing shows a 38.4% lead (3120 vs 2254), and random string sorting shows a 25.1% lead (45098 vs 36058). Floating point math favors the Core 9 273PE by 9.2% (107884 vs 98796), and extended instructions favor it by 3.7% (24630 vs 23755). The PassMark multithread test gives the Core 9 273PE a 19.9% win (36810 vs 30703).

The Ultra 7 255H's wins are concentrated in specific areas. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4317 beats the Core 9 273PE's 3650 by 15.5%, and the identical result appears in the PassMark singlethread test. Data encryption shows a narrow 2.9% win for the Ultra 7 255H (23395 vs 22719). The largest win for the Ultra 7 255H comes in find prime numbers, where it scores 303 against 203, a 33% advantage. These results indicate that while the Core 9 273PE wins the majority of tests, the Ultra 7 255H has a superior architecture for prime number generation and single-threaded PassMark performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE has an average benchmark score of 49845, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has an average score of 33537.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Core 9 273PE scores 31288, which is 238.6% higher than the Ultra 7 255H's 9240.

Q: Does the Ultra 7 255H win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, it wins PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests with 4317 versus 3650 (15.5% higher), data encryption with 23395 versus 22719 (2.9% higher), and find prime numbers with 303 versus 203 (33% higher).

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Ultra 7 255H has 16 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Core 9 273PE has a boost clock of 5.70 GHz, compared to the Ultra 7 255H's 5.10 GHz.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Core 9 273PE has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Ultra 7 255H has a TDP of 28 watts.

Specification Differences

The specification table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ, based on the recorded data.

| Specification | Intel Core 9 273PE | Intel Core Ultra 7 255H |

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

| Series | null | Core Ultra Series 2 |

| Cores | 12 | 16 |

| Threads | 24 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.70 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 65 watts | 28 watts |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2049 |

| Architecture | null | Arrow Lake |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake-H |

| Generation | Core 9 (Bartlett Lake) | Ultra 7 (Arrow Lake-H) |

| 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) | 3 MB (per core) |

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

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

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

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

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc Graphics 140T |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2026-03-08 | 2025-01-12 |

| Launch MSRP | $549 | null |

| Part Number | SA4QD | SRQAN |