AMD Ryzen 7 160 vs Intel Core 9 273PQE Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 160 and the Intel Core 9 273PQE occupy very different positions in the performance spectrum, as evidenced by their average benchmark scores of 37,117 and 66,099, respectively. The data indicates a substantial performance gap, but the analysis of where each processor excels reveals more than just a raw speed difference; it highlights distinct architectural philosophies and intended use cases.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results are unequivocal in their distribution of wins. The Intel Core 9 273PQE secures victories in all eleven head-to-head tests recorded in the database, leaving the AMD Ryzen 7 160 with zero wins. This complete sweep indicates that in every measurable workload, from data compression to single-threaded tasks, the Intel processor delivers higher absolute performance.

The Ryzen 7 160, however, is not without its own strengths when viewed through a different lens. Its 28-watt TDP and 6 nm process node from TSMC position it as a highly efficient mobile processor. The data shows it achieves a multi-thread score of 12,237 and a single-thread score of 3,435, which, while lower than the Intel part, are significant figures for a chip designed for the mobile segment with a 28-watt power envelope. Its performance class places it near the Intel Core i9-12900T, Intel Core i7-13700, and AMD Ryzen 7 7735H, all within a 0.1% delta of its average score.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE, conversely, is a desktop processor with a 125-watt TDP, and its performance aligns with much higher-tier hardware. Its average score of 66,099 is within 0.3% of the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, a flagship gaming processor, and within 0.1% of the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus. The data suggests the Intel part wins on raw performance across the board, while the AMD part's advantage lies in its efficiency-focused design for portable systems.

Architecture Differences

The architectural chasm between these two processors is stark and explains the performance disparity. The AMD Ryzen 7 160 is built on the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt-R, and manufactured on a 6 nm process at TSMC. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.75 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 16 MB of L3 cache. The die size is recorded at 210 mm².

The Intel Core 9 273PQE uses the Bartlett Lake architecture, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. It is a larger and more complex part with 12 cores and 24 threads. Its base clock is 3.40 GHz, and its boost clock reaches 5.90 GHz, the highest figure in the comparison. The cache configuration is also more generous: 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 36 MB of L3 cache. The Intel chip has a 12-core advantage in thread count and a 20 MB advantage in shared L3 cache.

Memory support also differs. The AMD Ryzen 7 160 supports only DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, providing a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Intel Core 9 273PQE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also in dual-channel, with a higher maximum bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Both processors support ECC memory. In terms of PCIe, the AMD chip provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the Intel chip provides the newer Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The integrated graphics also differ: the AMD uses a Radeon 680M, while the Intel uses UHD Graphics 770.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a consistent and often massive advantage for the Intel Core 9 273PQE. The most extreme difference appears in the PassMark floating point math test, where the Intel scores 125,546 against the AMD's 6,673, a delta of -94.7% for the AMD part. This indicates the Intel processor is nearly 19 times faster in this specific workload, which is a measure of heavy mathematical computation.

In integer math, the Intel part scores 164,629 versus 81,370 for the AMD, a 50.6% lead. Data compression shows a similar pattern: Intel at 585,752 and AMD at 242,634, a 58.6% deficit for the AMD. The multi-thread benchmark is another decisive win for Intel, scoring 46,107 against 12,237, a 73.5% gap. This reflects the combined benefits of more cores, higher clocks, and more cache.

The single-thread test is the closest contest, but Intel still wins decisively. Intel scores 4,573 against AMD's 3,435, a 24.9% advantage. This narrower gap is significant because it suggests the Zen 3+ architecture is relatively competitive on a per-core basis, but the Intel chip's higher 5.90 GHz boost clock and newer architecture still pull ahead. In the find prime numbers test, Intel's 198 score dwarfs AMD's 43, a 78.3% difference, and in physics simulation, Intel's 2,754 beats AMD's 793, a 71.2% gap. The data encryption and random string sorting tests show Intel leading by 47.6% and 51.1%, respectively.

The Verdict

The data is clear: the Intel Core 9 273PQE is the superior processor in every measured performance category. For users who need maximum compute throughput for demanding desktop applications, the Intel part is the only choice based on these benchmarks. Its 93rd percentile ranking among all CPUs, compared to the AMD's 85th, confirms its higher standing in the overall performance hierarchy.

The AMD Ryzen 7 160, however, is not a failure; it is a different tool. Its 28-watt TDP and mobile market segment suggest it is built for laptops and other power-constrained devices. The data shows it is competitive with much higher-power desktop chips from a few generations ago, such as the Intel Core i7-13700, but it does so at a fraction of the power. For a mobile user, the Ryzen 7 160 provides a strong balance of multi-threaded performance and efficiency, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE, with its 125-watt TDP, is a desktop-only solution that prioritizes raw speed over power consumption.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread score?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE scores 4,573 in the PassMark single-thread test, which is 24.9% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 160's score of 3,435.

Q: What is the difference in multi-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE scores 46,107 in the PassMark multi-thread test, while the AMD Ryzen 7 160 scores 12,237, giving Intel a 73.5% lead.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 7 160 and the Intel Core 9 273PQE have ECC memory support enabled.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 160 has a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE has a higher bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s.

Q: Which processor uses a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 160 uses a 6 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE uses a 10 nm process from Intel.

Q: How does the Intel Core 9 273PQE compare to the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE has an average benchmark score of 66,099, which is 0.3% higher than the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D's score of 65,914.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across all primary specification fields. The AMD Ryzen 7 160 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE has 12 cores and 24 threads. The base clock is 2.70 GHz for AMD and 3.40 GHz for Intel, and the boost clock is 4.75 GHz for AMD and 5.90 GHz for Intel. The thermal design power is 28 watts for AMD and 125 watts for Intel. The AMD uses an AMD Socket FP7, while the Intel uses Intel Socket 1700. The AMD is a 6 nm TSMC part, whereas the Intel is a 10 nm Intel foundry part. In cache, the AMD has 64 KB L1, 512 KB L2, and 16 MB L3 per core set, while the Intel has 80 KB L1, 2 MB L2, and 36 MB L3. The AMD supports only DDR5, while the Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. PCIe generation and lanes differ: AMD is Gen 4 with 20 lanes, Intel is Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The integrated graphics are Radeon 680M for AMD and UHD Graphics 770 for Intel. The market segment is Mobile for AMD and Desktop for Intel. The AMD has a release date of 2025-09-30, while the Intel is dated 2026-03-08. The Intel Core 9 273PQE has a launch MSRP of $589.