CPU Comparison

The Intel Core 9 273PTE and Intel Core i7-12700F are near-identical in overall average benchmark score, with the former at 31143 and the latter at 31081, a delta of just 0.2%. Both sit at the 82nd percentile among all CPUs. Yet the head-to-head data reveals two very different performance profiles: the Core i7-12700F wins 12 of the 17 direct comparisons, while the Core 9 273PTE secures 5 wins, often by dramatic margins. This is not a story of overall parity but of divergent workload characteristics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Cinebench R23. The Core 9 273PTE scores 20445 in multi-core, which is 33.7% ahead of the i7-12700F’s 15291. The single-core gap is even larger: 2886 versus 1898, a 52.1% advantage for the Core 9. These are the two largest deltas in the entire comparison, and they define the Core 9’s identity as a mixed-workload performer with a strong single-threaded core.

However, the i7-12700F dominates the earlier Cinebench versions. In R15 multi-core, it leads 2610 to 2060, a 21.1% margin. In R20 multi-core, it wins 10767 to 8586, a 20.3% edge. The R20 single-core result also favors the i7-12700F at 1519 versus 1212, a 20.2% difference. This creates an unusual pattern: the i7-12700F wins in R15 and R20, but the Core 9 273PTE wins decisively in R23. The data suggests the newer Core 9 architecture responds better to the R23 workload’s specific demands.

PassMark results heavily favor the i7-12700F. Data compression shows a 384463 score versus 258704, a 32.7% lead for the i7-12700F. Data encryption similarly favors it at 20185 versus 14253, a 29.4% gap. Extended instructions yield a 35.6% advantage (24783 vs 15952), and floating-point math shows a 25.8% edge (81804 vs 60673). Integer math follows with a 23% lead (107013 vs 82411). Random string sorting is 27.3% faster on the i7-12700F (39852 vs 28973). Even the PassMark multi-thread score favors the i7-12700F at 30445 versus 24054, a 21% difference.

The Core 9 273PTE’s wins are concentrated in specific areas. PassMark find prime numbers shows a 44.9% advantage (142 vs 98). PassMark physics favors it at 1917 versus 1488, a 28.8% gain. Beyond the Cinebench R23 results, these are the only other victories. In PassMark single-thread, the i7-12700F leads 3850 to 3433, a 10.8% margin, which is notable given the Core 9’s massive R23 single-core win. The two processors clearly trade blows based on the benchmark’s instruction mix and threading model.

Architecture Differences

The Core 9 273PTE is built on Bartlett Lake, while the i7-12700F uses Alder Lake-S. Both are 10 nm Intel parts on Socket 1700, but the similarities end there. The Core 9 273PTE features 12 cores and 24 threads, while the i7-12700F has 12 cores and 20 threads. This 4-thread difference is a direct result of the Core 9’s thread configuration and explains some of its multi-threaded wins.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Core 9 273PTE has 2 MB of L2 per core versus 1.25 MB on the i7-12700F. Its L3 cache is 36 MB shared, compared to 25 MB on the i7-12700F. Both have 80 KB L1 per core. The larger L2 and L3 caches on the Core 9 273PTE are consistent with its strong Cinebench R23 performance, which is sensitive to cache residency.

Clock speeds tell a mixed story. The Core 9 273PTE has a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost of 5.50 GHz. The i7-12700F has a higher base clock of 2.10 GHz but a lower boost of 4.90 GHz. The Core 9’s higher boost clock likely contributes to its R23 single-core win, while the i7-12700F’s higher base clock helps in sustained all-core workloads like PassMark.

Power and thermals diverge significantly. The Core 9 273PTE has a TDP of 45 watts, while the i7-12700F is rated at 65 watts. This is a meaningful difference for system design, as the Core 9 273PTE requires less thermal headroom. ECC memory support is present on the Core 9 273PTE but absent on the i7-12700F. Both support DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory. The Core 9 273PTE lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s; the i7-12700F has no figure provided.

The i7-12700F has no integrated graphics, while the Core 9 273PTE includes UHD Graphics 730. Both use PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The i7-12700F has a die size of 215 mm²; the Core 9 273PTE does not list one. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data supports two distinct use cases. The Intel Core 9 273PTE is the choice for single-threaded and cache-sensitive workloads. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2886 is 52.1% higher than the i7-12700F’s 1898, and its multi-core R23 result is 33.7% higher. It also wins in find prime numbers and physics. For users running modern rendering engines that scale with the R23 workload, the Core 9 273PTE is clearly superior.

The Intel Core i7-12700F is the better all-rounder for legacy and PassMark-style workloads. It wins 12 of 17 comparisons, including all major PassMark tests and both R15 and R20 Cinebench versions. Its data compression score of 384463 is 32.7% higher, and its integer math score of 107013 is 23% higher. It also offers a 10.8% higher PassMark single-thread score. The i7-12700F’s higher base clock of 2.10 GHz versus 1.40 GHz gives it an advantage in sustained, non-turbo workloads.

Average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with a 0.2% delta. The percentile rank is the same at 82. The decision hinges on workload mix. If the software relies on the Cinebench R23 pattern, the Core 9 273PTE is the pick. If it resembles PassMark’s broader test suite, the i7-12700F is the safer choice. The 45-watt TDP of the Core 9 273PTE versus 65 watts for the i7-12700F also matters for thermally constrained systems, though the i7-12700F’s higher base clock suggests it may sustain throughput better under continuous load.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PTE has 24 threads, while the Intel Core i7-12700F has 20 threads. Both have 12 cores.

Q: What is the biggest single benchmark gap between the two?

A: The largest delta is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Core 9 273PTE scores 2886 versus 1898, a 52.1% advantage.

Q: Does the i7-12700F win any Cinebench tests?

A: Yes. It wins R15 multi-core by 21.1%, R20 multi-core by 20.3%, and R20 single-core by 20.2%. It loses R23 multi-core by 33.7% and R23 single-core by 52.1%.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Core 9 273PTE supports ECC memory, but the i7-12700F does not.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The Core 9 273PTE has a TDP of 45 watts, while the i7-12700F has a TDP of 65 watts.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Core 9 273PTE includes UHD Graphics 730. The i7-12700F has no integrated graphics.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 9 273PTE wins in modern rendering workloads that resemble Cinebench R23. Its 33.7% multi-core and 52.1% single-core leads are the strongest arguments for this CPU. It also wins in prime number calculation (44.9% ahead) and physics simulation (28.8% ahead). The 45-watt TDP makes it suitable for compact or low-power builds where the i7-12700F’s 65-watt rating is a constraint.

The Intel Core i7-12700F wins in general-purpose productivity, particularly with legacy benchmarks and PassMark’s suite. Its data compression advantage of 32.7% and encryption advantage of 29.4% suggest strong memory subsystem performance. The extended instructions lead of 35.6% and floating-point lead of 25.8% point to better SIMD throughput. Its 21% multi-thread lead in PassMark is notable given the Core 9’s higher thread count, indicating the i7-12700F extracts more performance per thread in these tests.

For users running older Cinebench versions, the i7-12700F is the winner. Its R15 and R20 victories, both over 20%, show a consistent pattern. The i7-12700F also has a higher base clock of 2.10 GHz, which may benefit workloads that do not trigger boost behavior. The Core 9 273PTE’s 1.40 GHz base clock is a handicap in such scenarios. The i7-12700F’s higher PassMark single-thread score of 3850 versus 3433 reinforces its strength in lightly threaded applications that do not follow the R23 pattern.