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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data delivers a decisive verdict: the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus wins 15 of the 17 recorded comparisons, while the Intel Core 9 273PE takes only 2. The average benchmark score tells the same story, with the Ultra 7 270K Plus at 93,785 against 49,845 for the Core 9 273PE, a gap of roughly 88%.

The most lopsided result appears in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Core 9 273PE scores 4,417 against 2,439, a 81.1% advantage. This is the largest single delta in either direction and highlights the Core 9's strength in lightly threaded workloads. The other win for the Core 9 comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, scoring 445 versus 354, a 25.7% margin.

Beyond those two tests, the Ultra 7 270K Plus dominates. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 44,253 versus 31,288, a 29.3% lead. The gap widens substantially in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Ultra 7 reaches 24,461 against 13,140, a 46.3% difference. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows an even larger 52.6% deficit for the Core 9, with scores of 6,656 and 3,153.

PassMark results reinforce the multi-threaded narrative. The Ultra 7 270K Plus delivers 68,574 in multithread against 36,810, a 46.3% margin. Floating point math nearly doubles, 229,491 versus 107,884, a 53% lead. Data compression shows 804,322 versus 405,885, a 49.5% gap. Data encryption reaches 59,097 versus 22,719, a 61.6% difference, and extended instructions come in at 63,506 versus 24,630, a 61.2% margin. Integer math is comparatively closer at 175,986 versus 139,410, a 20.8% lead. Prime number finding shows 615 versus 203, a 67% gap. Random string sorting lands at 96,945 versus 45,098, a 53.5% difference. Physics scores 4,064 versus 3,120, a 23.2% edge.

Even in single-threaded PassMark tests, the Ultra 7 270K Plus wins, scoring 5,068 versus 3,650, a 28% margin. This is notable because the Core 9 273PE wins both Cinebench single-core tests, yet the Ultra 7 claims the PassMark single-thread test. The data indicates that single-thread performance depends heavily on the specific workload and instruction mix.

The percentile rankings place the Ultra 7 270K Plus at the 96th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 9 273PE sits at the 90th percentile. The nearest rivals for the Ultra 7 include the Intel Xeon 6520P at a 0% delta, the AMD EPYC 4564P at -1.5%, and the AMD EPYC 9175F at -1.9%. The Core 9 273PE sits near the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 at 0.1%, the Intel Core i5-14600KF at 0.9%, and trails the Intel Core i9-13980HX by 1.1%.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel lineups and use different manufacturing approaches. The Core 9 273PE is built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry and uses the Bartlett Lake codename. The Ultra 7 270K Plus uses a 3 nm process fabricated by TSMC, with the Arrow Lake Refresh codename and the Core Ultra Series 2 designation.

Core counts differ significantly. The Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Ultra 7 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. This means the Ultra 7 has twice the core count but the same thread count, indicating the Core 9 relies on simultaneous multithreading while the Ultra 7 does not. The Ultra 7 also carries a much larger transistor count at 17,800 million, with a die size of 243 mm². The Core 9 does not have recorded transistor or die size data.

Clock speeds show a tradeoff. The Core 9 273PE has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. The Ultra 7 270K Plus runs a higher base clock of 3.70 GHz but a lower boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The higher boost on the Core 9 contributes to its single-core wins, while the higher base on the Ultra 7 helps sustained multi-core workloads.

Cache configurations differ in the lower levels. The Core 9 273PE has 80 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, while the Ultra 7 270K Plus has 192 KB of L1 per core and 3 MB of L2 per core. Both share 36 MB of L3 cache.

Memory support diverges as well. The Core 9 273PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 270K Plus supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but memory bandwidth differs: 89.6 GB/s for the Core 9 and 115.2 GB/s for the Ultra 7. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity favors the Ultra 7 270K Plus with Gen 5 and 20 lanes, while the Core 9 273PE offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics also differ: the Core 9 uses UHD Graphics 730, and the Ultra 7 uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.

Sockets are incompatible. The Core 9 273PE uses Intel Socket 1700, and the Ultra 7 270K Plus uses Intel Socket 1851. The Ultra 7 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 9 does not.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 9 273PE wins in scenarios that depend on single-core Cinebench performance. Its 81.1% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 25.7% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core indicate an advantage in lightly threaded rendering tasks and applications that rely on one or two strong cores. The 5.70 GHz boost clock supports this pattern.

The Ultra 7 270K Plus wins everywhere else. Multi-core rendering, data compression, encryption, extended instruction workloads, integer math, floating point math, physics simulation, random string sorting, and even the PassMark single-thread test all favor the Ultra 7. The 24 cores and 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth provide a broad performance base across heavily parallel workloads.

For multi-threaded content creation, the Ultra 7 270K Plus is the clear choice based on the recorded data. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a 29.3% lead, and the PassMark multithread test shows a 46.3% lead. Data-intensive tasks such as compression and encryption see even larger gaps, with leads of 49.5% and 61.6% respectively.

For single-threaded Cinebench workloads, the Core 9 273PE holds the advantage, but the PassMark single-thread result complicates the picture. Since the Ultra 7 wins that test by 28%, the Core 9's single-core superiority is specific to Cinebench's rendering workload rather than universal.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has an average benchmark score of 93,785, while the Intel Core 9 273PE scores 49,845.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap in Cinebench R23?

A: The Ultra 7 270K Plus scores 44,253 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 29.3% ahead of the Core 9 273PE's 31,288.

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

A: Yes, it wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 81.1% and Cinebench R15 single-core by 25.7%.

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

A: The Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Ultra 7 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: The Core 9 273PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Ultra 7 270K Plus supports only DDR5.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Ultra 7 270K Plus provides 115.2 GB/s, while the Core 9 273PE provides 89.6 GB/s.

Q: How do the percentile rankings compare?

A: The Ultra 7 270K Plus ranks at the 96th percentile of all CPUs, and the Core 9 273PE ranks at the 90th percentile.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus as the stronger processor for almost all workloads. It wins 15 of 17 benchmark comparisons, holds a 96th percentile ranking, and delivers an average score of 93,785. Its nearest rivals are server-class parts like the Intel Xeon 6520P and AMD EPYC 4564P, which places it in a performance tier far above the Core 9 273PE.

The Core 9 273PE's two wins both come in Cinebench single-core tests, with a particularly strong 81.1% margin in R23 single-core. Workloads that mirror Cinebench's single-threaded rendering behavior would favor this chip. Its 5.70 GHz boost clock and 12-core, 24-thread configuration support that profile.

However, the Ultra 7 270K Plus counters with a 28% win in the PassMark single-thread test, showing that its 5.50 GHz boost clock and 24 cores handle single-threaded PassMark workloads better. The only scenario where the Core 9 273PE is clearly preferable is Cinebench-style single-core rendering.

For multi-threaded tasks, the choice is unambiguous. The Ultra 7 270K Plus leads by margins ranging from 20.8% in integer math to 67% in prime number finding. The 24-core design, 3 nm TSMC process, 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, and 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes make it the more capable platform across the recorded benchmarks.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 9 273PE | Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus |

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

| Cores | 12 | 24 |

| Threads | 24 | 24 |

| Base clock | 2.30 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.70 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 125 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake Refresh |

| 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) | 36 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

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

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 lanes | Gen 5, 20 lanes |

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

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $549 | $299 |