Intel Core 9 273PQE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX Comparison

The Verdict

The data splits these two Intel processors into distinct roles. The Intel Core 9 273PQE is the desktop single-thread leader, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX is the mobile multi-thread specialist. The Core 9 273PQE wins 7 benchmark comparisons, the Core Ultra 7 255HX wins 10. The Core 9 273PQE should be chosen for workloads that depend on high-frequency single-core response, particularly older Cinebench single-core tests where it leads by 70.3% to 155.8%. The Core Ultra 7 255HX should be chosen for mobile deployments where its 55 W TDP and 20-core configuration deliver higher multi-core scores in Cinebench R15 and R20, plus stronger PassMark encryption, floating point, and prime number results. The Core 9 273PQE carries a launch MSRP of $589. The Core Ultra 7 255HX has no recorded launch MSRP. Both processors sit at the 93rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, so their overall performance tier is identical despite their different benchmark profiles.

Architecture Differences

The Core 9 273PQE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The Core Ultra 7 255HX uses the Arrow Lake-HX codename, part of the Core Ultra Series 2, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. The Core 9 273PQE has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 255HX has 20 cores and 20 threads, meaning the Ultra 7 has no hyper-threading support. The Core 9 273PQE reaches a 5.90 GHz boost clock against the Ultra 7's 5.20 GHz, but the Ultra 7 starts lower at 2.40 GHz base versus 3.40 GHz. The Core 9 273PQE draws 125 W TDP, more than double the Ultra 7's 55 W.

Cache structures differ substantially. The Core 9 273PQE provides 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. The Core Ultra 7 255HX provides 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB shared L3. The Ultra 7 packs 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die; the Core 9 273PQE has no recorded transistor or die size data.

Memory support splits the pair. The Core 9 273PQE supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Core Ultra 7 255HX supports only DDR5, dual-channel, at 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is available on the Core 9 273PQE but not on the Ultra 7. The Core 9 273PQE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 7 uses Intel BGA 2114, confirming the former as desktop and the latter as mobile. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Core 9 273PQE provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, the Ultra 7 provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well, with UHD Graphics 770 on the Core 9 273PQE and Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU on the Ultra 7. The Ultra 7 has an unlocked multiplier; the Core 9 273PQE does not. The Core 9 273PQE released on 2026-03-08, while the Ultra 7 released earlier on 2025-01-12.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE reaches 5.90 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX reaches 5.20 GHz.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Core 9 273PQE has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Core Ultra 7 255HX has 20 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Core 9 273PQE supports ECC memory. The Core Ultra 7 255HX does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Core 9 273PQE delivers 89.6 GB/s, while the Core Ultra 7 255HX delivers 102.4 GB/s.

Q: Which processor uses an unlocked multiplier?

A: The Core Ultra 7 255HX has an unlocked multiplier. The Core 9 273PQE's multiplier is locked.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Core 9 273PQE averages 66099 across its benchmark suite, while the Core Ultra 7 255HX averages 62738. Both rank at the 93rd percentile among all CPUs.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core 9 273PQE | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX |

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

| Cores | 12 | 20 |

| Threads | 24 | 20 |

| Base clock | 3.40 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.90 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 125 W | 55 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2114 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Arrow Lake-HX |

| Generation | Core 9 (Bartlett Lake) | Ultra 7 (Arrow Lake-HX) |

| 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 | 30 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 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2026-03-08 | 2025-01-12 |

| Launch MSRP | $589 | Not recorded |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part number | SA4Q9 | SRVFG |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The single-core Cinebench results show the Core 9 273PQE's dominance. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 557 against 327, a 70.3% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the gap widens to 155.8%, with 5532 versus 2163. The PassMark single-thread test is nearly tied, with the Core 9 273PQE ahead by only 0.2% at 4573 versus 4562.

Multi-core results tell a mixed story. The Core Ultra 7 255HX wins Cinebench R15 multicore with 4916 against 3950, a 19.7% margin. It also wins Cinebench R20 multicore with 17187 against 16459, a 4.2% margin. The Core 9 273PQE reverses this in Cinebench R23 multicore, scoring 39190 against 32612, a 20.2% lead. The PassMark multithread test goes to the Ultra 7 with 48234 against 46107, a 4.4% margin.

PassMark specialty tests split cleanly. The Core 9 273PQE wins integer math by 29.5% (164629 versus 127126) and data compression by 13.7% (585752 versus 515143). The Core Ultra 7 255HX wins floating point math by 21.8% (160624 versus 125546), data encryption by 25% (39499 versus 29636), find prime numbers by 50.5% (400 versus 198), random string sorting by 15.1% (62591 versus 53167), extended instructions by 6.1% (41247 versus 38743), and physics by 5.9% (2926 versus 2754). The Cinebench R20 single-core result goes to the Ultra 7 by 4.2% (2426 versus 2323), which contrasts with the other single-core tests and reflects the inconsistent single-thread behavior between the two Cinebench versions.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 9 273PQE wins in desktop scenarios requiring top single-thread throughput and integer-heavy work. Its 70.3% Cinebench R15 single-core lead and 155.8% Cinebench R23 single-core lead indicate a strong advantage for latency-sensitive applications that depend on one or two threads. The 29.5% integer math win and 13.7% data compression win reinforce this profile. The 20.2% Cinebench R23 multicore win shows it can also handle heavily threaded rendering workloads despite having fewer cores, thanks to its 24 threads and higher boost clock. Its ECC memory support and dual DDR4/DDR5 compatibility suit desktop workstation configurations. The unlocked multiplier is absent, but the stock 5.90 GHz boost already positions it at the high end.

The Core Ultra 7 255HX wins in mobile deployments where power efficiency and multi-thread parallelism take priority. Its 55 W TDP, less than half the Core 9 273PQE's 125 W, makes it suitable for laptops. The 20-core, 20-thread layout powers wins in Cinebench R15 multicore (19.7% ahead) and Cinebench R20 multicore (4.2% ahead). The 50.5% advantage in find prime numbers, 25% in data encryption, and 21.8% in floating point math indicate strong number-crunching capability for scientific and cryptographic workloads. The 15.1% random string sorting win and 6.1% extended instructions win add further evidence of broad compute versatility. The 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth, 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, and Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU integrated GPU support mobile platforms that need fast data movement and built-in display output. The unlocked multiplier offers overclocking potential in supported mobile systems. Its nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 at 0.2% lower average score and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX at 0.7% lower, placing it in a competitive mobile tier.

The Core 9 273PQE's nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus at 0.1% lower average score and the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D at 0.3% higher, indicating it sits within a tight desktop performance cluster. The two processors occupy the same 93rd percentile, so the choice between them depends entirely on platform type and workload mix rather than overall performance class.