Intel Core 9 273PQE vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Comparison

The Intel Core 9 273PQE and Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus are two very different interpretations of high-end desktop performance, separated by platform, process node, and core design. The data shows the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the dominant overall performer, winning 15 of the 17 head-to-head tests and posting a significantly higher average benchmark score of 79,574 compared to 66,099 for the Core 9 273PQE. The Core 9 273PQE counters with two decisive wins in older single-core tests, but its overall profile suggests a niche for legacy software compatibility. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the clear choice for multi-threaded workloads and modern applications, while the Core 9 273PQE holds a specific advantage for single-threaded tasks in older benchmarks.

The Verdict

The benchmark data positions the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus as the superior processor for almost any demanding workload. Its 24 cores and higher core count, combined with a 3 nm process node from TSMC, allow it to decisively beat the Core 9 273PQE in multi-core tests across Cinebench and PassMark. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus also claims a 95th percentile ranking against all CPUs, while the Core 9 273PQE sits at the 93rd percentile. For users running modern rendering, data compression, or encryption tasks, the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the data-backed winner.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE is a specialized alternative. It wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 63.8% and Cinebench R23 single-core by 134.8%, suggesting it has a strong advantage in single-threaded performance as measured by those specific legacy tests. However, it loses the newer Cinebench R20 single-core test by 22.4%, which complicates its positioning. The Core 9 273PQE is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700 with a 125 W TDP, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is a mobile part on Intel BGA 2114 with a 55 W TDP. The data indicates the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the better all-rounder, and the Core 9 273PQE is best reserved for scenarios where its specific single-core results in R15 and R23 are the priority.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different foundations. The Intel Core 9 273PQE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process node. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename and is fabricated on TSMC's 3 nm process node, with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads, while the Core 9 273PQE has 12 cores and 24 threads. This means the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has double the core count but the same thread count, indicating a difference in core architecture where the Core 9 273PQE uses hyper-threading.

Cache hierarchies also differ substantially. The Core 9 273PQE provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus offers 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 3 MB of L2 cache per core. Both share a 36 MB L3 cache. Memory support diverges: the Core 9 273PQE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports only DDR5. Memory bandwidth is higher on the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for the Core 9 273PQE. Both use dual-channel memory buses and support ECC memory.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Core 9 273PQE uses UHD Graphics 770, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. PCIe support also varies: the Core 9 273PQE offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is a mobile market segment part with an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Core 9 273PQE is a desktop part with a locked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins in nearly every measurable category. It leads in Cinebench R15 multi-core by 34%, Cinebench R20 multi-core by 22.4%, and Cinebench R23 multi-core by 1.2%. In PassMark tests, it dominates data compression by 11.1%, data encryption by 40.7%, extended instructions by 24.5%, find prime numbers by 61.8%, floating point math by 37.8%, multithread by 22.4%, physics by 18.7%, and random string sorting by 33.8%. It also wins the PassMark single-thread test by 7.6% and the Cinebench R20 single-core test by 22.4%. Its wins in integer math are marginal at 0.1%.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE wins only two tests: Cinebench R15 single-core and Cinebench R23 single-core. The R15 win is by 63.8%, and the R23 win is by 134.8%. These are substantial margins, but they are isolated to specific older benchmark versions. The Core 9 273PQE does not win any PassMark tests and loses Cinebench R20 single-core, indicating its single-core advantage does not carry across all versions of Cinebench.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has an average benchmark score of 79,574, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE has an average score of 66,099.

Q: How does the core count compare between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus provides 102.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE provides 89.6 GB/s.

Q: Which CPU supports DDR4 memory?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports only DDR5.

Q: What are the process nodes for each CPU?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE is built on Intel's 10 nm process, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is built on TSMC's 3 nm process.

Q: Which CPU has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE has a TDP of 125 W, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a TDP of 55 W.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin of victory for the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where it scores 519 against 198 for the Core 9 273PQE, a 61.8% lead. This is followed by a 40.7% lead in data encryption, with scores of 50,008 and 29,636 respectively. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus also shows a 37.8% advantage in floating point math, scoring 201,773 versus 125,546, and a 33.8% lead in random string sorting, scoring 80,327 versus 53,167. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus scores 5,981 against 3,950, a 34% lead. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows a 22.4% lead, with scores of 21,198 and 16,459. The PassMark multithread test shows a 22.4% lead as well, with scores of 59,439 and 46,107. The extended instructions test shows a 24.5% lead, with scores of 51,290 and 38,743. The physics test shows an 18.7% lead, with scores of 3,387 and 2,754. Data compression shows an 11.1% lead, with scores of 658,724 and 585,752. The PassMark single-thread test shows a 7.6% lead, with scores of 4,951 and 4,573. The Cinebench R20 single-core test shows a 22.4% lead, with scores of 2,992 and 2,323. Integer math is nearly identical, with the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus scoring 164,839 against 164,629, a 0.1% lead.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE has its own notable wins. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 5,532 against 2,356 for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, a 134.8% lead. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 557 against 340, a 63.8% lead. These are the only two tests the Core 9 273PQE wins, and they are both older Cinebench versions.

The Cinebench R23 multi-core test is the closest result, with the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus scoring 39,684 against 39,190 for the Core 9 273PQE, a 1.2% lead. The PassMark integer math test is even closer, with a 0.1% difference.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specifications. The Intel Core 9 273PQE has 12 cores and 24 threads, a base clock of 3.40 GHz, and a boost clock of 5.90 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads, a base clock of 2.70 GHz, and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The TDP is 125 W for the Core 9 273PQE and 55 W for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus.

The sockets are different: the Core 9 273PQE uses Intel Socket 1700, and the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses Intel BGA 2114. The codenames are Bartlett Lake for the Core 9 273PQE and Arrow Lake-HX Refresh for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. The process nodes are 10 nm for the Core 9 273PQE and 3 nm for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, with the latter using TSMC as the foundry.

Cache configurations differ: the Core 9 273PQE has 80 KB L1 per core and 2 MB L2 per core, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 192 KB L1 per core and 3 MB L2 per core. Both share 36 MB L3 cache. Memory support is DDR4 and DDR5 for the Core 9 273PQE, and only DDR5 for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. Memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s for the Core 9 273PQE and 102.4 GB/s for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus.

PCIe support shows Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the Core 9 273PQE and Gen 5 with 20 lanes for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 770 for the Core 9 273PQE, Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. The market segment is Desktop for the Core 9 273PQE and Mobile for the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. The multiplier is locked on the Core 9 273PQE and unlocked on the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. The Core 9 273PQE has a launch MSRP of $589, while the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has no recorded launch MSRP. The Core 9 273PQE was released on 2026-03-08, and the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus was released on 2026-03-16.