Intel Core 9 273PE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus wins 16 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 9 273PE takes only a single victory. The average benchmark score for the Ultra 7 is 61,834, placing it at the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Core 9 273PE averages 49,845 and sits at the 90th percentile. The Ultra 7's average score puts it within 0.1% of the Intel Core i9-13900KF and 0.8% ahead of the Intel Xeon 636, while the Core 9 273PE is 0.1% ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 and 0.9% ahead of the Intel Core i5-14600KF.

For workloads that rely on multi-threaded throughput, single-core responsiveness, encryption, compression, or floating-point math, the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is the clear pick. The Core 9 273PE only wins in integer math, where it scores 13.9% higher. That narrow advantage does not offset the sweeping lead the Ultra 7 holds elsewhere. The data indicates that anyone choosing between these two should default to the Ultra 7, unless their specific application is dominated by integer arithmetic, in which case the Core 9 has a measurable, though isolated, edge.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing and design lineages. The Intel Core 9 273PE uses the Bartlett Lake architecture on a 10 nm process from Intel's own foundry. It is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700 with a 65 W TDP. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2, uses the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh architecture, and is built on a 3 nm process by TSMC. It is a mobile part on Intel BGA 2114 with a 55 W TDP and a transistor count of 17,800 million across a 243 mm² die.

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Ultra 7 has 20 cores and 20 threads. The Ultra 7 therefore presents more physical cores but no simultaneous multithreading. Cache configurations also differ: the Core 9 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3, whereas the Ultra 7 has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3.

Memory support diverges as well. The Core 9 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel access and 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth, plus ECC memory. The Ultra 7 supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, but reaches 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth and does not support ECC. PCIe connectivity favors the Ultra 7 with Gen 5 and 20 lanes, compared to Gen 5 with 16 lanes on the Core 9. The integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 9 versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU on the Ultra 7. The Ultra 7 also has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 9 does not.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus dominates across nearly every measured category. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, it wins both multi-core and single-core tests by a consistent 25.3% to 25.4% margin. In PassMark tests, it leads in data compression by 17.7%, data encryption by 39.9%, extended instructions by 37.3%, prime number finding by 57.9%, floating-point math by 34%, multithread by 23.7%, physics by 18.8%, random string sorting by 24.9%, and single-thread by 23.4%. These are not marginal differences; they represent a full tier of performance separation.

The Core 9 273PE wins only in PassMark integer math, scoring 139,410 versus 122,449. That 13.9% advantage is the sole bright spot for the desktop part. The data suggests that for any workload involving encryption, compression, scientific floating-point computation, or general multi-threaded rendering, the Ultra 7 is the stronger choice. The Core 9's integer edge could matter for specific number-crunching tasks, but the breadth of Ultra 7 victories makes it the superior all-around processor.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has an average score of 61,834, compared to 49,845 for the Intel Core 9 273PE.

Q: How do the two compare in single-core performance?

A: The Ultra 7 wins Cinebench R23 single-core with 5,917 versus 4,417, a 25.4% lead, and PassMark single-thread with 4,764 versus 3,650, a 23.4% lead.

Q: Does the Core 9 273PE win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins PassMark integer math with 139,410 against 122,449, a 13.9% advantage.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Ultra 7 scores 482 against 203, a 57.9% difference.

Q: Do the processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Core 9 supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 supports only DDR5.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Ultra 7 has 20 cores, while the Core 9 has 12 cores. The Core 9 has 24 threads versus 20 on the Ultra 7.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show a uniform pattern. In R15 multi-core, the Ultra 7 scores 4,224 against 3,153, a 25.4% lead. R15 single-core shows 596 versus 445, also 25.3% ahead. R20 multi-core repeats the 25.4% margin with 17,603 versus 13,140, and R20 single-core has 2,485 versus 1,855. R23 multi-core reaches 41,913 versus 31,288, and R23 single-core 5,917 versus 4,417. The consistency across all six Cinebench tests indicates the Ultra 7 holds a structural advantage in both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads.

PassMark results broaden the picture. Data compression favors the Ultra 7 at 493,179 versus 405,885, a 17.7% gap. Data encryption shows a much larger 39.9% difference: 37,813 versus 22,719. Extended instructions deliver 39,283 versus 24,630, a 37.3% margin. Find prime numbers is the most lopsided test at 482 versus 203, a 57.9% swing. Floating-point math gives 163,567 versus 107,884, a 34% lead. Multithread scores are 48,270 versus 36,810, a 23.7% gap. Physics shows 3,843 versus 3,120, an 18.8% margin. Random string sorting lands at 60,020 versus 45,098, a 24.9% difference. Single-thread and singlethread tests both record 4,764 versus 3,650, a 23.4% lead.

The only reverse result is PassMark integer math. Here the Core 9 273PE posts 139,410, beating the Ultra 7's 122,449 by 13.9%. While this is a clear win for the desktop processor, it is an isolated data point among 17 comparisons. The Ultra 7's average score of 61,834 versus 49,845 for the Core 9 confirms the overall performance hierarchy.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The Core 9 273PE is a 12-core, 24-thread desktop part on Intel Socket 1700 with base clock 2.30 GHz and boost clock 5.70 GHz. The Ultra 7 270HX Plus is a 20-core, 20-thread mobile part on Intel BGA 2114 with base clock 2.40 GHz and boost clock 5.30 GHz. The Core 9 has a 65 W TDP, while the Ultra 7 draws 55 W.

The manufacturing process separates them clearly: 10 nm at Intel for the Core 9 versus 3 nm at TSMC for the Ultra 7. The Core 9 uses Bartlett Lake architecture and has no listed transistor or die size data. The Ultra 7 uses Arrow Lake-HX Refresh, with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. Cache per core is larger on the Ultra 7: 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 versus 80 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 on the Core 9. Shared L3 favors the Core 9 at 36 MB versus 30 MB.

Memory support, bandwidth, and ECC status also differ. The Core 9 supports DDR4 and DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s and ECC enabled. The Ultra 7 only supports DDR5 but reaches 102.4 GB/s without ECC. PCIe lane counts favor the Ultra 7 with 20 Gen 5 lanes versus 16 on the Core 9. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 on the Core 9 and Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU on the Ultra 7. The Ultra 7 has an unlocked multiplier and no launch MSRP in the database, while the Core 9 has a launch MSRP of $549 and a locked multiplier. The release dates are close: March 8, 2026 for the Core 9 and March 16, 2026 for the Ultra 7.