Intel Core 9 273PQE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The data in this comparison is heavily one-sided. The Intel Core 9 273PQE holds every recorded benchmark win across all tested workloads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL has no benchmark entries in the database, meaning there are zero measurable victories for that processor in any category. This is not a close contest; it is a complete sweep by the Core 9 part.

The Core 9 273PQE delivers its strongest relative advantages in multi-threaded and compute-intensive workloads. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 39,190 places it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, indicating that it outperforms the vast majority of processors in rendering and similar parallel tasks. The PassMark multithread score of 46,107 and the integer math score of 164,629 further confirm that heavily threaded workloads, such as video encoding, software compilation, and scientific simulations, are where this processor demonstrates its primary strength.

Single-threaded performance is also a clear win for the Core 9 273PQE. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5,532 and the PassMark single-thread score of 4,573 show that this processor also handles lightly threaded tasks such as gaming, web browsing, and office applications with a high level of responsiveness. The boost clock of 5.90 GHz on the Core 9 part is a major factor here, as it enables rapid execution of individual threads.

The Core Ultra 7 155UL, by contrast, has no benchmark data recorded. Its 50th percentile ranking and average benchmark score of zero indicate that the database lacks any performance measurements for this processor. Consequently, there are no wins to attribute to it, and no workload category where it can be said to outperform the Core 9 273PQE based on the available facts.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and use different manufacturing processes. The Intel Core 9 273PQE is based on the Bartlett Lake architecture and is manufactured on a 10 nm process node at Intel. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL uses the Meteor Lake architecture, specifically the Meteor Lake-PS variant, and is built on a 7 nm process node, also at Intel. The smaller process node on the Ultra 7 part suggests a more modern manufacturing technology, although the benchmark results do not reflect any performance benefit from this.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. Both processors have 12 cores, but the Core 9 273PQE supports 24 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 155UL supports only 14 threads. This indicates that the Core 9 part uses hyper-threading across all cores, while the Ultra 7 part likely has a mix of performance and efficiency cores with limited hyper-threading support. The 10-thread difference is substantial and explains a large portion of the performance gap in multi-threaded benchmarks.

Cache configurations also diverge. The Core 9 273PQE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 7 155UL has 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, but only 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core 9 part therefore has three times the L3 cache, which is critical for workloads that repeatedly access large datasets, such as databases, compression, and certain scientific computing tasks.

Clock speeds are another major differentiator. The Core 9 273PQE has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.90 GHz. The Core Ultra 7 155UL has a base clock of 1.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The Core 9 part runs at double the base clock and over 1 GHz higher boost clock, which directly contributes to its superior single-threaded and multi-threaded performance.

Power characteristics are starkly different. The Core 9 273PQE has a TDP of 125 watts, while the Core Ultra 7 155UL has a TDP of just 15 watts. This makes the Ultra 7 part far more power-efficient on paper, but the Core 9 part is clearly designed for performance rather than energy conservation.

Memory support differs as well. The Core 9 273PQE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 7 155UL supports only DDR5, with the specific memory type depending on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory buses and have identical peak memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Core 9 part also supports ECC memory, while the Ultra 7 part does not.

PCI Express connectivity is different. The Core 9 273PQE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Core Ultra 7 155UL provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. This gives the Core 9 part both a newer PCIe generation and double the lane count, which matters for high-throughput add-in cards such as GPUs and NVMe storage.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Core 9 273PQE uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 7 155UL uses Arc Xe-LPG with 64 execution units. The Arc solution is likely more capable for graphics tasks, but no benchmark data is available to confirm this.

The socket and platform are different. The Core 9 273PQE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Core Ultra 7 155UL uses Intel Socket 1851. These are not interchangeable platforms, so motherboard choice is dictated by the processor.

Release dates are also distinct. The Core 9 273PQE was released on March 8, 2026, while the Core Ultra 7 155UL was released on April 7, 2024. The Core Ultra 7 part is nearly two years older.

The Verdict

The Intel Core 9 273PQE is the clear performance choice. Every single benchmark in the database is won by this processor, and its 93rd percentile ranking confirms it belongs among the top tier of available CPUs. The 12 cores and 24 threads, combined with a 5.90 GHz boost clock and 36 MB of L3 cache, make it suitable for demanding desktop workloads including content creation, software development, and complex data processing. Its support for ECC memory and PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes also positions it for professional and workstation use cases.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL is a different kind of product. With a 15-watt TDP, this processor is engineered for low-power operation. Its 12 cores and 14 threads, 1.70 GHz base clock, and 12 MB of L3 cache are not competitive with the Core 9 part in raw performance. The database contains no benchmark scores for this processor, so its actual performance characteristics cannot be quantified here. It is a desktop processor, but its specifications suggest it is intended for power-constrained environments such as compact or passively cooled systems.

The choice between these two processors depends entirely on the user's priorities. For maximum performance in multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads, the Core 9 273PQE is the only rational option based on the recorded data. For minimal power consumption and lower heat output, the Core Ultra 7 155UL is the more appropriate selection, though its performance is unverified.

The Core 9 273PQE also holds the advantage in platform features. ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5, and a larger L3 cache are all meaningful differentiators for professional and enthusiast users. The Ultra 7 155UL offers newer integrated graphics and a smaller process node, but these do not compensate for the massive performance gap.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE has 24 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL has 14 threads.

Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two?

A: The Core 9 273PQE boosts to 5.90 GHz, while the Core Ultra 7 155UL boosts to 4.80 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL does not.

Q: How does the L3 cache compare?

A: The Core 9 273PQE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core Ultra 7 155UL has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Core 9 273PQE has a TDP of 125 watts, and the Core Ultra 7 155UL has a TDP of 15 watts.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Core 9 273PQE has an average benchmark score of 66,099. The Core Ultra 7 155UL has an average benchmark score of 0, as no benchmarks are recorded for it.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons between the Intel Core 9 273PQE and the Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL. All wins are attributed solely to the Core 9 part, as it has 17 recorded benchmark scores, while the Ultra 7 part has none.

The largest multi-threaded win for the Core 9 273PQE is in PassMark data compression, where it scores 585,752. This result, combined with the Cinebench R23 multicore score of 39,190, demonstrates the processor's capability in parallel workloads. The PassMark integer math score of 164,629 and floating point math score of 125,546 further reinforce this strength in compute-heavy tasks.

In single-threaded performance, the Core 9 273PQE scores 5,532 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 4,573 in PassMark single-thread. These are strong results that place the processor in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The nearest rival in the database, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus, has an average score of 66,159, which is only 0.1% lower than the Core 9 273PQE's average of 66,099. This indicates that the Core 9 part is competitive with other high-end processors, despite the lack of direct comparison with the Ultra 7.

The Core 9 273PQE also delivers strong results in encryption and extended instruction workloads. The PassMark data encryption score of 29,636 and extended instructions score of 38,743 show that the processor handles cryptography and SIMD workloads effectively. The random string sorting score of 53,167 confirms good performance in data manipulation tasks.

The absence of any benchmark data for the Core Ultra 7 155UL means that no comparative analysis can be made regarding its performance relative to the Core 9 273PQE. The database simply has no measurements for that processor. The only conclusion available from the data is that the Core 9 273PQE is the sole performer in this pairing.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core 9 273PQE and Intel Core Ultra 7 155UL differ in several key specification areas.

Process Node: The Core 9 273PQE uses a 10 nm process, while the Core Ultra 7 155UL uses a 7 nm process.

Cores and Threads: Both have 12 cores, but the Core 9 273PQE has 24 threads versus 14 threads on the Core Ultra 7 155UL.

Clock Speeds: The Core 9 273PQE has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost clock of 5.90 GHz. The Core Ultra 7 155UL has a base clock of 1.70 GHz and boost clock of 4.80 GHz.

TDP: The Core 9 273PQE is rated at 125 watts, while the Core Ultra 7 155UL is rated at 15 watts.

Socket: The Core 9 273PQE uses Intel Socket 1700, and the Core Ultra 7 155UL uses Intel Socket 1851.

Cache: The Core 9 273PQE has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. The Core Ultra 7 155UL has 112 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3.

Memory Support: The Core 9 273PQE supports DDR4 and DDR5. The Core Ultra 7 155UL supports DDR5, depending on the motherboard.

ECC Memory: The Core 9 273PQE supports ECC memory. The Core Ultra 7 155UL does not.

PCI Express: The Core 9 273PQE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The Core Ultra 7 155UL provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes.

Integrated Graphics: The Core 9 273PQE has UHD Graphics 770. The Core Ultra 7 155UL has Arc Xe-LPG 64EU.

Release Date: The Core 9 273PQE was released on March 8, 2026. The Core Ultra 7 155UL was released on April 7, 2024.

Launch MSRP: The Core 9 273PQE has a launch MSRP of $589. The Core Ultra 7 155UL has a launch MSRP of $426.

Part Number: The Core 9 273PQE has part number SA4Q9. The Core Ultra 7 155UL has part number SRN97.