AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT vs Intel Core 9 273PQE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data splits these processors into two distinct personalities. The Intel Core 9 273PQE takes 11 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT wins 6. The margin of victory matters more than the count.

Intel's strongest showing is in the PassMark physics test, where it scores 2754 against AMD's 1715, a 37.7% advantage. That is the largest single gap in either direction. Single-thread performance also favors Intel heavily: 4573 versus 3474 in PassMark single thread, a 24% lead. The Cinebench suite tells a consistent story of modest Intel wins across the board: R15 multicore (3950 vs 3767, 4.6% ahead), R20 multicore (16459 vs 15696, 4.6% ahead), R23 multicore (39190 vs 37373, 4.6% ahead), and the single-core variants all land in the 4.6% to 4.7% range. PassMark multithread shows a 5% Intel edge (46107 vs 43810).

AMD fights back in specific workloads. The largest win is PassMark data encryption: 37814 versus 29636, a 27.6% advantage. Random string sorting goes to AMD by 17.6% (62537 vs 53167). Integer math favors AMD by 7.9% (177566 vs 164629). Data compression is a closer 2.1% AMD win (597862 vs 585752). Prime number finding and extended instructions are narrow AMD margins at 3.5% and 1% respectively.

The floating point math test is a decisive Intel win at 20.8% (125546 vs 99398). This pattern suggests Intel handles floating-point-heavy workloads far better, while AMD retains a lead in encryption and integer tasks.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core 9 273PQE wins where single-thread speed and floating-point throughput matter. The 24% single-thread gap in PassMark and the 20.8% floating point advantage point to workloads like physics simulation, scientific computing, and lightly threaded applications. The Cinebench single-core results (5532 vs 5276 in R23) confirm that Intel's higher boost clock translates directly into faster single-thread execution across rendering engines.

AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT wins in encryption, sorting, and integer-heavy tasks. The 27.6% encryption advantage is substantial, as is the 17.6% random string sorting lead. Integer math at 7.9% ahead suggests database operations, compression workloads, and general productivity tasks favor the AMD chip. The data compression win, though smaller at 2.1%, reinforces this pattern.

For multithreaded rendering, Intel holds a consistent 4.6% edge across all three Cinebench versions. That is a narrow but repeatable margin. The PassMark multithread test shows a similar 5% Intel advantage. However, the AMD chip's 16 cores versus Intel's 12 cores does not translate into a multithreaded win, which indicates Intel's per-core efficiency and higher boost clocks compensate for the core count deficit.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT uses Zen 3 architecture on the Vermeer codename, built on TSMC's 7 nm process with 8,300 million transistors across two 74 mm² dies. The Intel Core 9 273PQE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on Intel's 10 nm process, which the database lists without transistor or die size figures.

Cache configurations differ substantially. AMD provides 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, with 64 MB L3 total. Intel provides 80 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 per core, with 36 MB shared L3. Intel's larger per-core L2 (2 MB versus 512 KB) likely contributes to its single-thread advantage, while AMD's larger L3 pool (64 MB versus 36 MB) supports its 16-core design.

Memory support diverges: AMD uses DDR4 only with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Intel's memory bandwidth advantage is 75% higher in the recorded figures. PCIe generations differ too: AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

Intel includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while AMD has no integrated graphics. Both support ECC memory. AMD's multiplier is unlocked; Intel's is locked. The AMD part carries part number 100-000001581, the Intel part SA4Q9.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT | Intel Core 9 273PQE |

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

| Cores | 16 | 12 |

| Threads | 32 | 24 |

| Base clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.80 GHz | 5.90 GHz |

| TDP | 105 W | 125 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Process node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L1 cache | 64 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 512 KB per core | 2 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 64 MB | 36 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 lanes | Gen 5, 16 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | N/A | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Launch MSRP | $349 | $589 |

| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |

| Release date | 2024-07-30 | 2026-03-08 |

The boost clock difference is the most striking specification gap: 5.90 GHz versus 4.80 GHz, a 22.9% higher figure for Intel. That explains the single-thread benchmark dominance. The TDP difference (125 W vs 105 W) reflects Intel's higher power envelope for that clock speed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 9 273PQE has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Does the Intel processor have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 9 273PQE includes UHD Graphics 770. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT has no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is required.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core 9 273PQE supports DDR5, along with DDR4. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT supports DDR4 only.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE has 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT has 51.2 GB/s. Intel's figure is 75% higher.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE boosts to 5.90 GHz, compared to 4.80 GHz for the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core 9 273PQE is locked.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on workload priorities. The Intel Core 9 273PQE is the stronger processor for single-threaded tasks, floating-point math, and physics simulation. Its 24% single-thread lead and 37.7% physics advantage are decisive. The 4.6% Cinebench multicore wins across all versions show it also holds an edge in rendering workloads, despite having 4 fewer cores.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT is the better choice for encryption-heavy workloads, integer math, and string sorting. The 27.6% encryption win and 17.6% sorting advantage are substantial margins. Its larger core count (16 vs 12) and 64 MB L3 cache support these strengths.

The specification differences reinforce this split. Intel's 5.90 GHz boost clock and 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth explain its single-thread and floating-point dominance. AMD's 16 cores and 64 MB L3 provide the foundation for its integer and encryption wins. The Intel part also includes integrated graphics and supports DDR5, while the AMD part offers an unlocked multiplier and lower TDP at 105 W versus 125 W.

The average benchmark score favors Intel: 66099 versus 50718, a 30.3% difference. Intel ranks in the 93rd percentile versus all CPUs, AMD in the 90th. Intel's nearest rivals cluster around 66159 (Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus) and 66855 (Core Ultra 5 250K Plus), with AMD's nearest rivals around 50761 (Core i7-13850HX) and 50448 (Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370).

Buyers on AMD Socket AM4 who want 16 cores with an unlocked multiplier will find the Ryzen 9 5900XT fits existing platforms. Buyers who need the fastest single-thread response, DDR5 support, integrated graphics, and higher memory bandwidth should select the Intel Core 9 273PQE, which also comes with a higher launch MSRP of $589 versus $349.