Intel Core 9 273PE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 268V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents an unusually one-sided comparison. The Intel Core 9 273PE wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, with the Intel Core Ultra 7 268V taking only 2 wins. The magnitude of the Core 9 273PE's victories ranges from marginal to overwhelming.

The largest single margin appears in PassMark integer math, where the Core 9 273PE scores 139,410 against 42,669 for the Ultra 7 268V, a delta of 226.7%. This result reflects the substantial difference in core count and threading capability. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a 193.7% advantage, with scores of 31,288 versus 10,653. The random string sorting test delivers a 101.2% delta, at 45,098 versus 22,416.

Data compression follows the same pattern. The Core 9 273PE records 405,885 in PassMark data compression, 123.7% ahead of the Ultra 7 268V's 181,443. Physics simulation also favors the desktop part strongly: 3,120 versus 1,617, a 92.9% gap. PassMark multi-thread shows 36,810 against 19,297, a 90.8% delta, matching the Cinebench R20 multi-core delta of 90.8% (13,140 versus 6,887).

Several tests show more moderate but still decisive gaps. Cinebench R15 multi-core gives the Core 9 273PE a 95.1% lead (3,153 versus 1,616). Floating point math shows 107,884 versus 57,628, an 87.2% difference. Data encryption records 22,719 versus 13,779, a 64.9% delta. Extended instructions yield 24,630 versus 15,323, a 60.7% gap. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 51.9% lead (445 versus 293), while R20 single-core matches the multi-core delta at 90.8% (1,855 versus 972). Cinebench R23 single-core shows 4,417 versus 1,921, a 129.9% advantage.

The closest contest is PassMark find prime numbers: 203 versus 192, a slim 5.7% margin. The Ultra 7 268V's only wins come in the two identical PassMark single-thread tests, scoring 4,051 versus 3,650, a 9.9% advantage. This single-thread result is notable because it runs against the trend of the other single-core Cinebench tests, where the Core 9 273PE holds large leads.

The average benchmark score tells a similar story. The Core 9 273PE averages 49,845 across its recorded tests, placing it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Ultra 7 268V averages 20,897, good for the 74th percentile. The nearest rivals for the Core 9 273PE include the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 at 49,796 (0.1% behind) and the Intel Core i9-13980HX at 50,398 (1.1% ahead). The Ultra 7 268V sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE at 20,900 (0.0% delta) and the Intel Core i5-12600T at 20,917 (0.1% ahead).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design lineages entirely. The Core 9 273PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. It is a desktop part in the Core 9 generation, targeting the Intel Socket 1700 platform. The Ultra 7 268V belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, using the Lunar Lake architecture on a 3 nm process fabricated by TSMC. It is a mobile part on Intel BGA 2833.

Core and thread counts diverge sharply. The Core 9 273PE provides 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Ultra 7 268V provides 8 cores and 8 threads with no hyperthreading. This alone explains much of the multi-threaded performance gap. The base clocks are similar, 2.30 GHz versus 2.20 GHz, but the boost clocks differ: 5.70 GHz for the Core 9 273PE versus 5.00 GHz for the Ultra 7 268V.

Cache layouts follow different philosophies. The Core 9 273PE uses 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and a 36 MB shared L3. The Ultra 7 268V uses a much larger 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, but only 12 MB of shared L3. The smaller total cache on the Ultra 7 268V aligns with its lower power target.

Power envelopes differ by a factor of nearly four. The Core 9 273PE carries a 65 W TDP, while the Ultra 7 268V is rated at 17 W. This makes the Ultra 7 268V a low-power mobile part by design, while the Core 9 273PE is built for sustained desktop throughput.

Memory support also differentiates the two. The Core 9 273PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory. The Ultra 7 268V's memory support is listed as dependent on the motherboard, with dual-channel operation but no recorded bandwidth figure and no ECC support.

PCIe connectivity is another split. The Core 9 273PE provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Ultra 7 268V provides Gen 5 with only 4 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics differ as well: UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 9 273PE versus the Arc 140V on the Ultra 7 268V. The Ultra 7 268V's Arc solution is positioned for more capable integrated graphics performance, though the database does not record graphics benchmarks for either part.

Release timing separates the two by roughly a year and a half. The Ultra 7 268V was released on 2024-09-23, while the Core 9 273PE appeared on 2026-03-08. Both remain in active production according to the database. Neither part has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a clear split by use case. For any workload that scales with cores, threads, or sustained power delivery, the Intel Core 9 273PE is the decisive choice. Its multi-threaded Cinebench results, PassMark integer and floating point math, data compression, encryption, and physics scores all exceed the Ultra 7 268V by margins between 60% and 227%. The 12-core, 24-thread configuration with a 5.70 GHz boost clock and 65 W TDP delivers results that place it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 268V has a narrower but real advantage. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4,051 beats the Core 9 273PE's 3,650 by 9.9%. For lightly threaded tasks that depend on single-core efficiency rather than raw core count, the Lunar Lake part holds an edge. Its 17 W TDP also makes it the only one of the two suited to mobile platforms, given its BGA 2833 socket and mobile market segment. The desktop-bound Core 9 273PE requires Socket 1700.

The average score gap is not close. The Core 9 273PE's average of 49,845 is more than double the Ultra 7 268V's 20,897. The nearest rival data reinforces this: the Core 9 273PE competes with high-end desktop and mobile HX parts like the Intel Core i9-13980HX, while the Ultra 7 268V sits alongside lower-power desktop and mobile chips such as the Intel Core i5-12600T and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification field. The Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads; the Ultra 7 268V has 8 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are close (2.30 GHz versus 2.20 GHz), but boost clocks diverge (5.70 GHz versus 5.00 GHz). TDP is 65 W versus 17 W. Socket types are entirely different: Intel Socket 1700 for the desktop part, Intel BGA 2833 for the mobile part.

Process node and foundry differ: 10 nm at Intel for the Core 9 273PE, 3 nm at TSMC for the Ultra 7 268V. Cache hierarchies diverge: 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, 36 MB shared L3 versus 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, 12 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: DDR4 and DDR5 with ECC for the Core 9 273PE, motherboard-dependent support without ECC for the Ultra 7 268V. Measured memory bandwidth exists only for the Core 9 273PE at 89.6 GB/s.

PCIe lanes differ: 16 CPU lanes for the Core 9 273PE versus 4 CPU lanes for the Ultra 7 268V, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 730 versus Arc 140V. The market segment is Desktop versus Mobile. The Core 9 273PE has a recorded launch MSRP of $549; the Ultra 7 268V has no launch MSRP recorded. Release dates differ: 2026-03-08 versus 2024-09-23.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE wins every multi-core test in the head-to-head data. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 31,288 versus 10,653, and PassMark multi-thread shows 36,810 versus 19,297.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 7 268V win any benchmarks?

A: Yes. The Ultra 7 268V wins both PassMark single-thread tests, scoring 4,051 versus 3,650, a 9.9% advantage.

Q: How do their core and thread counts compare?

A: The Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Ultra 7 268V has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What are their power ratings?

A: The Core 9 273PE is rated at 65 W TDP. The Ultra 7 268V is rated at 17 W TDP.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Core 9 273PE supports ECC memory. The Ultra 7 268V does not.

Q: How do their single-core Cinebench scores compare?

A: The Core 9 273PE leads in all three Cinebench single-core tests. R15 shows 445 versus 293, R20 shows 1,855 versus 972, and R23 shows 4,417 versus 1,921.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 9 273PE wins across the majority of recorded workloads. Multi-threaded rendering in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 goes to the desktop part by margins from 90.8% to 193.7%. PassMark integer math, floating point math, data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, random string sorting, physics, and multi-thread tests all favor the Core 9 273PE. Its 36 MB shared L3 cache and 12-core, 24-thread configuration support sustained throughput in parallel workloads. The 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth and 16-lane Gen 5 PCIe connection make it the stronger platform for high-bandwidth tasks.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 268V wins in PassMark single-thread performance. Its 4,051 score versus 3,650 indicates better per-core efficiency in that specific measurement. The 17 W TDP and mobile BGA 2833 socket make it the only viable choice for thin-and-light mobile systems. The Arc 140V integrated graphics also differentiate it from the UHD Graphics 730, though no graphics benchmarks are recorded in the database.

The data does not suggest any other category where the Ultra 7 268V overtakes the Core 9 273PE. Even in the closest test, find prime numbers, the Core 9 273PE wins by 5.7%. The overall average score of 49,845 for the Core 9 273PE versus 20,897 for the Ultra 7 268V places the two in different performance tiers entirely.