Intel Core 9 273PQE vs Intel Core 9 273PTE Comparison

Both the Intel Core 9 273PQE and the Intel Core 9 273PTE are 12-core, 24-thread desktop processors built on the Bartlett Lake architecture for the Intel Socket 1700 platform. They share the same 10 nm process node, the same 36 MB of shared L3 cache, and identical memory support for DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The critical difference lies in their power envelopes and clock speeds, which produces a stark separation in measured performance.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core 9 273PQE wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core 9 273PTE. There are zero tests where the 273PTE takes a victory. This is not a close contest with mixed results; it is a total sweep for the higher-powered 273PQE.

The 273PQE is the clear choice for any workload where raw processing speed matters. Its wins span single-threaded tasks, multi-threaded rendering, integer and floating-point math, data compression, encryption, and physics simulations. The 273PTE, by contrast, does not win a single benchmark category. Its only potential advantage, based on the specifications, is its significantly lower TDP of 45 watts compared to the 125-watt TDP of the 273PQE. For a builder prioritizing energy efficiency above all else, the 273PTE is the only sensible pick, but it comes with a massive performance penalty.

FAQ

Q: How large is the performance gap between the two processors?

A: The 273PQE leads by 91.7% in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test (39190 vs 20445) and by the same 91.7% in Cinebench R23 single-core (5532 vs 2886). The gap is consistent across most tests, though it narrows to a 33.2% advantage in Passmark single-thread performance (4573 vs 3433).

Q: Which processor ranks higher in global CPU comparisons?

A: The 273PQE sits in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while the 273PTE is in the 82nd percentile. The average benchmark score reflects this: the 273PQE averages 66099, and the 273PTE averages 31143.

Q: Do the two processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes. Both have 12 cores and 24 threads. They also share the same 80 KB L1 cache per core and 2 MB L2 cache per core.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The 273PQE has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.90 GHz. The 273PTE has a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz.

Q: Is there a difference in integrated graphics?

A: Yes. The 273PQE includes UHD Graphics 770, while the 273PTE includes UHD Graphics 730.

Q: Do they use the same socket and memory?

A: Both use Intel Socket 1700 and support DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. ECC memory is supported by both.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show a remarkably consistent gap. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the multi-core and single-core scores for the 273PQE are all exactly 91.7% higher than the 273PTE. For instance, Cinebench R15 multi-core scores 3950 versus 2060, and Cinebench R20 single-core scores 2323 versus 1212. This uniformity suggests the clock speed difference is the dominant factor across the board.

Passmark results show more variance. The largest margin is in extended instructions, where the 273PQE scores 38743 versus 15952, a 142.9% advantage. Data compression shows a 126.4% lead (585752 vs 258704), and data encryption is 107.9% ahead (29636 vs 14253). Floating-point math is 106.9% higher (125546 vs 60673), while integer math is 99.8% ahead (164629 vs 82411).

The smallest margins appear in single-threaded Passmark tests. Passmark single-thread and singlethread both show 4573 versus 3433, a 33.2% lead. Find prime numbers is also relatively close at 39.4% (198 vs 142), and physics shows a 43.7% gap (2754 vs 1917). Random string sorting is 83.5% ahead (53167 vs 28973), and Passmark multithread shows a 91.7% advantage (46107 vs 24054), matching the Cinebench pattern.

In terms of rival positioning, the 273PQE is competitive with the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, finishing 0.3% ahead of it in average score. It trails the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus by 1.1% and the AMD EPYC 4465P by 1.2%, while staying just 0.1% behind the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus. The 273PTE, meanwhile, sits alongside mainstream parts. It is 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i7-12700F and the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS, 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core i7-13700TE, and 0.5% behind the Intel Core i7-12650HX.

Specification Differences

The two processors share a core count, thread count, socket, process node, cache hierarchy, memory support, and memory bandwidth. The differences are concentrated in power, clocks, graphics, and price.

The 273PQE has a TDP of 125 watts, while the 273PTE has a TDP of 45 watts. That 80-watt gap is substantial. The 273PQE runs a base clock of 3.40 GHz versus 1.40 GHz on the 273PTE, and a boost clock of 5.90 GHz versus 5.50 GHz. The integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 770 on the 273PQE and UHD Graphics 730 on the 273PTE. The launch MSRP is $589 for the 273PQE and $549 for the 273PTE. Both have locked multipliers, use Gen 5 PCIe with 16 CPU lanes, and are actively produced.

Architecture Differences

Both chips are built on the Bartlett Lake codename and the 10 nm Intel process node. They use the same 80 KB per-core L1 cache and 2 MB per-core L2 cache, with a shared 36 MB L3 cache. There is no 3D V-Cache on either part. Both support dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 memory with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth, and both support ECC memory. The PCIe implementation is identical: Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The core architecture is the same, so the performance difference comes entirely from the operating points. The 273PQE runs at significantly higher clocks across the board, enabled by its higher 125-watt TDP. The 273PTE is the same silicon but configured for a 45-watt envelope, which forces the base clock down to 1.40 GHz. The boost clock difference of 0.40 GHz (5.90 vs 5.50) is smaller than the base clock difference, but sustained workloads will likely run closer to the base clock on the 273PTE due to its power limit.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core 9 273PQE is the superior processor in every measured workload. It delivers a 91.7% higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23 and a 33.2% higher single-thread score in Passmark. For any application that depends on CPU throughput, the 273PQE is the only rational choice between these two.

The 273PTE exists for a different purpose. Its 45-watt TDP makes it suitable for systems where power draw and heat output are tightly constrained. The benchmark results show it still performs at the level of an Intel Core i7-12700F, which is respectable, but it cannot match the 273PQE, which performs at the level of an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. The 273PQE also carries a $40 higher launch MSRP, which is a small price for the performance advantage it provides.

For a desktop builder who wants maximum performance from an Intel Socket 1700 platform, the 273PQE is the clear pick. For a builder who needs a low-power part with the same core configuration, the 273PTE is the only option, accepting the substantial performance compromise that comes with it.