Intel Core 9 273PQE vs Intel Core i9-13900KS Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear picture: the Intel Core i9-13900KS wins every single head-to-head test in the database. Out of 17 recorded comparisons, the i9-13900KS takes 17 victories, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE records zero wins. This is not a close contest.

The most dramatic gap appears in PassMark random string sorting, where the i9-13900KS scores 90,257 versus 53,167 for the Core 9 273PQE, a delta of 41.1%. Data encryption shows a 38% advantage for the i9-13900KS (47,772 vs 29,636). These are the largest percentage differences in the entire benchmark set.

In the Cinebench suite, the i9-13900KS is consistently ahead by 23.7% across all six tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i9-13900KS scores 51,368 versus 39,190 for the Core 9 273PQE. The single-core R23 test shows 7,252 versus 5,532, again a 23.7% margin. The same 23.7% delta appears in R15 multi-core (5,177 vs 3,950), R15 single-core (730 vs 557), R20 multi-core (21,574 vs 16,459), and R20 single-core (3,045 vs 2,323). This uniform delta across all Cinebench versions suggests a consistent architectural efficiency difference rather than a workload-specific quirk.

PassMark integer math shows a 22% lead for the i9-13900KS (211,027 vs 164,629), while floating point math is 18.9% ahead (154,805 vs 125,546). The PassMark multi-thread test gives the i9-13900KS a 24% advantage (60,644 vs 46,107), and physics testing shows a 20% lead (3,441 vs 2,754). Extended instructions are 19.6% in favor of the i9-13900KS (48,217 vs 38,743), and find prime numbers shows a 23% gap (257 vs 198).

The closest contest is in PassMark single-thread performance. The i9-13900KS scores 4,712 versus 4,573 for the Core 9 273PQE, a delta of only 2.9%. This is the narrowest margin in the entire head-to-head set. While the i9-13900KS still wins, the single-thread results indicate that the Core 9 273PQE is much more competitive when the workload does not scale across cores.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 10 nm process node and use the Intel Socket 1700. They share the same L1 cache configuration at 80 KB per core and the same L2 cache at 2 MB per core. Both have 36 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is identical: DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel, with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth and ECC support. Both include UHD Graphics 770 integrated graphics and target the desktop market segment.

The core counts differ substantially. The Core 9 273PQE has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the i9-13900KS has 24 cores and 32 threads. The i9-13900KS uses a Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-S codename, while the Core 9 273PQE uses the Bartlett Lake codename. The i9-13900KS has a die size of 257 mm², while the Core 9 273PQE does not have a die size recorded in the database.

Clock speeds are close but not identical. The Core 9 273PQE has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.90 GHz. The i9-13900KS has a lower base clock at 3.20 GHz but a higher boost clock at 6.00 GHz. The i9-13900KS also has a higher TDP at 150 watts versus 125 watts for the Core 9 273PQE.

PCIe lanes differ: the Core 9 273PQE offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i9-13900KS offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The multiplier is unlocked on the i9-13900KS but locked on the Core 9 273PQE. The i9-13900KS is part of the Core 13th Gen series, while the Core 9 273PQE has no series designation recorded.

The release dates differ significantly. The i9-13900KS was released on January 11, 2023, while the Core 9 273PQE was released on March 8, 2026. Both production statuses are Active. The part numbers are SRMBX for the i9-13900KS and SA4Q9 for the Core 9 273PQE.

The Verdict

The data shows a commanding performance advantage for the Intel Core i9-13900KS across every recorded benchmark. The i9-13900KS is faster in multi-core by margins ranging from 20% to 41.1%, and even in single-core, where the gap is smallest, it still leads by 2.9%. Users prioritizing raw compute throughput should choose the i9-13900KS based on this benchmark record.

The Core 9 273PQE, however, offers a lower power envelope at 125 watts versus 150 watts, and it has a higher base clock of 3.40 GHz versus 3.20 GHz. It is also the newer release, appearing in the database with a 2026 release date versus 2023. The Core 9 273PQE has fewer cores but maintains the same 36 MB L3 cache and the same memory bandwidth.

The i9-13900KS also carries a higher launch MSRP of $699, while the Core 9 273PQE is listed at $589. Both processors sit at the 93rd percentile among all CPUs in the database. The average benchmark score for the Core 9 273PQE is 66,099, while the i9-13900KS averages 64,051, despite losing every head-to-head comparison. This occurs because the average score aggregates across different test sets and not just the shared head-to-head tests.

For the user who demands maximum multi-core and single-core speed, the i9-13900KS is the clear choice. For the user who wants a more recent processor with a lower power envelope and a higher base clock, the Core 9 273PQE offers those attributes, albeit with lower benchmark performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in every benchmark test recorded in the database?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900KS wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core 9 273PQE does not win any of the 17 tests.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark random string sorting, where the i9-13900KS leads by 41.1% (90,257 vs 53,167). Data encryption shows the second largest gap at 38% (47,772 vs 29,636).

Q: How close is the single-thread performance?

A: The i9-13900KS leads in PassMark single-thread by 2.9% (4,712 versus 4,573). This is the narrowest delta in the entire head-to-head set.

Q: Do the two processors have the same memory support?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 and DDR5 memory with dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Both also support ECC memory.

Q: What are the cache differences?

A: There are no differences in cache. Both have 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The i9-13900KS has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the Core 9 273PQE has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-13900KS is the winner in every single recorded workload category. For multi-core-heavy tasks such as Cinebench R23 multi-core (51,368 versus 39,190), PassMark multi-thread (60,644 versus 46,107), and integer math (211,027 versus 164,629), the i9-13900KS is clearly dominant. The data suggests this processor is better suited for rendering, scientific computing, and any workload that scales with core count.

The i9-13900KS also leads in memory-bandwidth-sensitive tasks like data compression (814,838 versus 585,752) and random string sorting (90,257 versus 53,167). The 20 PCIe lanes versus 16 on the Core 9 273PQE may provide additional headroom for storage or expansion in a system build.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE does not win any benchmark, but it does offer a 125 watt TDP compared to 150 watts for the i9-13900KS. It also has a higher base clock (3.4 GHz versus 3.2 GHz) and a lower launch MSRP ($589 versus $699). Its 2026 release date makes it the more recent product in the database. The Core 9 273PQE matches the i9-13900KS on cache, memory support, and memory bandwidth, so users who need those specific features and prioritize power efficiency or base clock may consider it.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 9 273PQE | Intel Core i9-13900KS |

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

| Cores | 12 | 24 |

| Threads | 24 | 32 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.90 GHz | 6.00 GHz |

| TDP | 125 W | 150 W |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Raptor Lake-S |

| Architecture | (not listed) | Raptor Lake |

| Die Size | (not listed) | 257 mm² |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release Date | 2026-03-08 | 2023-01-11 |

| Launch MSRP | $589 | $699 |

| Part Number | SA4Q9 | SRMBX |

| Series | (not listed) | Core 13th Gen |

Note that the i9-13900KS also has a higher boost clock and a higher power draw. The Core 9 273PQE has a higher base clock and a lower launch MSRP. Both share the same socket, memory support, memory bus, memory bandwidth, ECC support, integrated graphics, market segment, production status, L1, L2, and L3 cache sizes.