Intel Core 9 273PQE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 9 273PQE takes the overall benchmark count by a 10 to 7 margin, but the distribution of wins reveals a clear split between heavy multi-threaded workloads and specific scalar or encryption tasks. The largest single victory for the Core 9 273PQE comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 164629 against the Core Ultra 5 245KF's 98854, a massive 66.5% advantage. Data compression follows with a 585752 to 460123 result, a 27.3% lead. These two workloads dominate the scoreboard and account for much of the Core 9 273PQE's aggregate superiority.

Across the Cinebench suite, the Core 9 273PQE is consistently ahead by roughly 7% in every test. Cinebench R15 multicore shows 3950 versus 3693, singlecore shows 557 versus 521. R20 multicore delivers 16459 against 15391, and R20 singlecore lands at 2323 versus 2172. R23 multicore produces 39190 compared to 36647, and R23 singlecore finishes at 5532 versus 5173. The delta sits at 6.9% or 7% in every one of these six tests, indicating a uniform clock-for-clock and core-for-core advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. PassMark multithread confirms the trend with 46107 against 43110, another 7% win. Extended instructions goes to the Core 9 273PQE by a narrower 2.2% margin, 38743 to 37912.

The Core Ultra 5 245KF answers with seven wins, several of them substantial. Prime number finding is its best result: 416 versus 198, a 52.4% advantage. Data encryption goes its way at 33381 against 29636, an 11.2% lead. Physics simulation favors it at 2998 versus 2754, an 8.1% margin. Floating point math scores 131546 compared to 125546, a 4.6% win. Random string sorting shows 55206 against 53167, a 3.7% edge. Single-thread PassMark lands at 4715 versus 4573, a 3% advantage. These wins cluster around workloads that reward the newer microarchitecture's efficiency and specific instruction handling, but they do not offset the Core 9 273PQE's dominance in integer throughput and compression.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design generations and manufacturing approaches. The Intel Core 9 273PQE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF uses Arrow Lake-S, built on a 3 nm node at TSMC. The process shrink gives the Core Ultra 5 245KF a smaller transistor footprint with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, figures not recorded for the Core 9 273PQE.

Core counts diverge in an unusual way. The Core 9 273PQE has 12 cores and 24 threads, using Hyper-Threading to double its logical thread count. The Core Ultra 5 245KF has 14 cores but only 14 threads, meaning it does not support simultaneous multithreading. This explains why the Core 9 273PQE wins most multi-threaded benchmarks despite having fewer physical cores: it can schedule twice as many threads across its 12 cores. The Core Ultra 5 245KF compensates with higher base and boost clocks, 4.20 GHz base and 5.20 GHz boost, versus 3.40 GHz base and 5.90 GHz boost for the Core 9 273PQE. The Core 9 273PQE has the higher ceiling, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF starts from a faster base rate.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Core 9 273PQE provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and only 24 MB of shared L3. The Core Ultra 5 245KF gives each core more private cache, but the Core 9 273PQE has 50% more shared L3 capacity, which helps in data-heavy multi-threaded scenarios.

Memory support splits cleanly. The Core 9 273PQE accepts both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. The Core Ultra 5 245KF is DDR5-only, also dual-channel, but with higher memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s. It does not support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity favors the Core Ultra 5 245KF with Gen 5 and 20 CPU lanes, while the Core 9 273PQE offers Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics are present only on the Core 9 273PQE, which includes UHD Graphics 770. The Core Ultra 5 245KF has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A. Socket compatibility differs as well: the Core 9 273PQE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF uses Intel Socket 1851. The Core Ultra 5 245KF has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Core 9 273PQE does not. Release dates place the Core Ultra 5 245KF first at 2024-10-23, followed by the Core 9 273PQE at 2026-03-08.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 9 273PQE is the clear choice for integer-heavy and compression-heavy workloads. Its 66.5% lead in PassMark integer math and 27.3% lead in data compression are the two largest deltas in the entire comparison. These results indicate superior performance in tasks such as database operations, archive handling, and general computation that relies on integer arithmetic. The consistent 7% Cinebench wins across every version of the test, both single and multi-core, show that the Core 9 273PQE holds a solid all-around compute advantage in rendering and simulation workloads as well.

The Core Ultra 5 245KF wins where the workload favors its newer architecture and faster base clock. Prime number finding is its standout category, where it beats the Core 9 273PQE by 52.4%. This suggests a strong advantage in cryptographic key generation and number-theoretic calculations. Data encryption also goes to the Core Ultra 5 245KF with an 11.2% margin, reinforcing a pattern of security-related workload superiority. Physics simulation and floating point math both favor the Core Ultra 5 245KF, indicating that scientific computing and physics engines may run more efficiently on it. Single-thread PassMark results also favor the Core Ultra 5 245KF by 3%, meaning lightly threaded applications that rely on one core may see a small but measurable benefit.

The Core 9 273PQE wins 10 of 17 benchmarks, the Core Ultra 5 245KF wins 7. The Core 9 273PQE's wins are concentrated in the largest deltas, however, meaning its aggregate average benchmark score of 66099 substantially exceeds the Core Ultra 5 245KF's 55093. The Core 9 273PQE sits at the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF sits at the 91st. Neither processor's nearest rival list overlaps with the other, indicating they compete in different performance tiers despite the head-to-head comparison.

The Verdict

Benchmark data directs the choice based on workload type. The Intel Core 9 273PQE delivers decisively better multi-threaded throughput, particularly in integer math and compression, and maintains a consistent 7% edge across the entire Cinebench suite. Its 24 threads, enabled by Hyper-Threading on 12 cores, give it a scheduling advantage that the Core Ultra 5 245KF's 14 threads cannot match in parallel workloads. The Core 9 273PQE also offers ECC memory support, integrated UHD Graphics 770, and compatibility with both DDR4 and DDR5, which may matter for systems requiring those features.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF wins on efficiency-oriented metrics and specific scalar workloads. Its 3 nm process node from TSMC, higher base clock, more PCIe lanes, faster memory bandwidth, and unlocked multiplier make it attractive for users who prioritize modern platform features and overclocking flexibility. The 52.4% lead in prime number finding and the 11.2% lead in encryption suggest that security or cryptographic workloads would run faster on it. Physics and floating point math also favor it, making it suitable for some scientific applications.

For users whose primary workloads are rendering, compression, integer computation, or heavily threaded productivity, the data points squarely to the Core 9 273PQE. For users focused on encryption, prime number calculations, physics simulation, or single-threaded applications on a newer platform, the Core Ultra 5 245KF holds the edge. The Core 9 273PQE's launch MSRP is $589, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF's launch MSRP is $294, but pricing considerations are not part of this analysis. The recorded data shows that the Core 9 273PQE has the higher overall performance profile, with an average benchmark score of 66099 versus 55093, and a higher percentile ranking at 93 versus 91.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE wins 10 of the 17 recorded benchmarks, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF wins 7.

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

A: The largest gap is in PassMark integer math, where the Intel Core 9 273PQE scores 164629 versus the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF's 98854, a 66.5% difference.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF have any significant advantages?

A: Yes, it leads by 52.4% in PassMark find prime numbers (416 versus 198), by 11.2% in data encryption (33381 versus 29636), and by 8.1% in physics (2998 versus 2754).

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF has 14 cores and 14 threads. The Core 9 273PQE uses Hyper-Threading, the Core Ultra 5 245KF does not.

Q: What are the socket requirements for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE uses Intel Socket 1700, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF uses Intel Socket 1851. They are not socket-compatible with each other.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF does not.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 9 273PQE | Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF |

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

| Cores | 12 | 14 |

| Threads | 24 | 14 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.90 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake-S |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 243 mm² |

| 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) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

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

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

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release Date | 2026-03-08 | 2024-10-23 |

| Part Number | SA4Q9 | SRQCY |