Intel Core 9 273PE vs Intel Core Ultra X7 358H Comparison

The Intel Core 9 273PE and Intel Core Ultra X7 358H occupy different corners of the processor market. The data shows a desktop part with high boost clocks and a mobile chip built for efficiency. Benchmark results indicate a clear split: the Core 9 273PE dominates heavy multi-threaded workloads, while the Core Ultra X7 358H shows advantages in specific single-threaded and specialized instruction tests. The recorded data provides a detailed look at how their architectural choices translate into performance.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 9 273PE is the outright winner in raw throughput. It secures 12 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark victories. This includes every Cinebench test, where the margins range from a modest 4.2% in R15 multi-core to a massive 112.4% in R23 single-core. The PassMark suite also favors the desktop chip in most categories: data compression (22.1% ahead), floating point math (3.9% ahead), integer math (67.7% ahead), multithread (8.9% ahead), physics (3.3% ahead), and random string sorting (11.7% ahead).

The Core Ultra X7 358H wins in five tests, and its victories are revealing. It takes PassMark data encryption by 12.8%, extended instructions by 9.7%, and find prime numbers by 39.8%. The most notable win is in PassMark single-thread, where it leads by 11.5%. This pattern suggests the mobile chip has strengths in specific instruction paths and cryptography workloads, despite its lower overall core count and thread count. The data indicates the Ultra X7 is not simply a weaker version of the Core 9; it is a different tool for different tasks.

The use-case split is defined by thread scaling. The Core 9 273PE with 24 threads crushes multi-core rendering and math-heavy tasks. The Core Ultra X7 358H, with only 16 threads but a more modern process node, shows its best results in tasks that may rely on newer instruction sets or efficient single-core execution.

Architecture Differences

The foundational difference is the process node. The Core 9 273PE uses Intel's 10 nm process, while the Core Ultra X7 358H uses a 3 nm process. This alone explains much of the efficiency gap. The desktop part has a TDP of 65 watts, whereas the mobile part is rated at 25 watts.

Core and thread counts diverge significantly. The Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Core Ultra X7 358H has 16 cores but only 16 threads, meaning it lacks hyperthreading. The codenames also differ: Bartlett Lake for the desktop chip, Panther Lake for the mobile chip.

Cache hierarchies show distinct strategies. The Core 9 273PE has a smaller per-core L1 cache at 80 KB and L2 at 2 MB, but a much larger shared L3 cache of 36 MB. The Core Ultra X7 358H has larger per-core caches (192 KB L1, 3 MB L2) but a smaller shared L3 of 18 MB. The desktop chip's larger L3 suggests a design for data-heavy workloads, while the mobile chip's larger per-core caches may benefit latency-sensitive single-thread tasks.

Memory support is a major divider. The Core 9 273PE supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory. The Core Ultra X7 358H supports only LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, but with a higher bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s. The mobile chip's faster memory bandwidth is a clear advantage for integrated graphics and memory-intensive mobile tasks.

PCIe lane allocation also differs. The Core 9 273PE provides 16 CPU lanes of Gen 5, while the Core Ultra X7 358H provides only 4 lanes. The integrated graphics differ as well: UHD Graphics 730 on the desktop part versus Arc B390 on the mobile part. The sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1700 for the desktop, Intel BGA 2540 for the mobile.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Cinebench R23 single-core. The Core 9 273PE scores 4417 against 2080 for the Core Ultra X7 358H, a delta of 112.4%. This is an outlier compared to other single-core tests. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the margin is 9.4%, and in R15 single-core it is 47.6%. The R23 result suggests a significant boost clock advantage in burst workloads. The Core 9 273PE boosts to 5.70 GHz, while the Core Ultra X7 358H reaches 4.80 GHz.

Multi-core Cinebench results show a similar, though less extreme, pattern. In R23 multi-core, the Core 9 273PE leads 31288 to 18747, a 66.9% margin. In R20 multi-core, the lead is 9.4% (13140 vs 12011). In R15 multi-core, the lead narrows to 4.2% (3153 vs 3027). The narrowing margins in older tests suggest the Core Ultra X7 358H scales better in shorter multi-core bursts, while the desktop chip dominates sustained rendering workloads.

PassMark tests reveal the mobile chip's specific strengths. Data encryption goes to the Ultra X7 by 12.8% (26046 vs 22719). Extended instructions go to the Ultra X7 by 9.7% (27274 vs 24630). Find prime numbers goes to the Ultra X7 by 39.8% (337 vs 203). These wins indicate the 3 nm process and newer core architecture deliver better performance in specific computational patterns.

The desktop chip answers with integer math dominance. Its score of 139410 is 67.7% higher than the Ultra X7's 83147. Data compression also favors the desktop part, 405885 vs 332508, a 22.1% margin. PassMark single-thread is the only major single-thread test won by the mobile chip, 4124 vs 3650, an 11.5% lead.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H has more physical cores at 16, but the Intel Core 9 273PE has more threads at 24 because it features hyperthreading. The Core Ultra X7 has 16 threads total.

Q: How does the process node differ between the two?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE is built on a 10 nm process, while the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H is built on a 3 nm process. The mobile chip uses a significantly more advanced manufacturing node.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE has a higher boost clock at 5.70 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H boosts to 4.80 GHz.

Q: Which chip offers more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE provides 16 CPU lanes of Gen 5 PCIe. The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H provides only 4 lanes.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H has a higher memory bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s, while the Intel Core 9 273PE offers 89.6 GB/s. The mobile chip supports LPDDR5X, while the desktop chip supports DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Why does the Core Ultra X7 358H win in PassMark single-thread despite lower clocks?

A: The data shows the Core Ultra X7 358H scores 4124 in PassMark single-thread versus 3650 for the Core 9 273PE. This could be attributed to the 3 nm process and per-core cache design, but the exact architectural reason is not specified in the measurements.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear choice based on workload. The Intel Core 9 273PE is the superior processor for multi-threaded performance. Its 66.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 67.7% lead in PassMark integer math make it the obvious pick for rendering, compilation, and any task that scales with threads. Its 90th percentile ranking among all CPUs, compared to 87th for the Ultra X7, confirms its higher overall standing.

The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H delivers a different set of strengths. Its wins in data encryption, extended instructions, and PassMark single-thread point to a chip designed for efficiency and specific mobile workloads. The 11.5% lead in PassMark single-thread is notable, as is the 39.8% lead in find prime numbers. Its higher memory bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s also gives it an edge in memory-bound mobile scenarios.

The average benchmark scores summarize the hierarchy: the Core 9 273PE averages 49845, placing it 0.1% ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 and 0.9% ahead of the Intel Core i5-14600KF. The Core Ultra X7 358H averages 40967, which is 0.6% behind the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 and 0.6% behind the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H. The desktop chip sits in a higher performance tier.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 9 273PE | Intel Core Ultra X7 358H |

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

| Cores | 12 | 16 |

| Threads | 24 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.70 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Panther Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| 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) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 153.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes | Gen 5, 4 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc B390 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2026-03-08 | 2026-01-04 |

| Launch MSRP | $549 | Not specified |

The Core 9 273PE offers double the threads, a higher boost clock, and more PCIe lanes. The Core Ultra X7 358H counters with a smaller process node, more physical cores, larger per-core caches, and significantly higher memory bandwidth. These are not direct competitors but rather complementary designs for desktop and mobile platforms.