Intel Core 9 273PTE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225H Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H and Intel Core 9 273PTE are two very different Intel processors that happen to land in the same performance tier. The 225H is a 14-core, 14-thread Arrow Lake mobile chip built on a 3 nm TSMC process, while the 273PTE is a 12-core, 24-thread Bartlett Lake desktop chip built on Intel's 10 nm node. Despite their architectural differences, both sit at the 82nd percentile among all CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 31508 and 31143 respectively. The data reveals a classic split: the mobile chip dominates in most threaded and memory-sensitive workloads, while the desktop chip wins decisively in Cinebench R23 and integer math. This is not a simple "one is better" comparison, but a question of which workload profile matters more to the buyer.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear division of labor. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H wins 12 of the 17 head-to-head tests, making it the more versatile performer across the broad suite of PassMark and Cinebench workloads. Its wins are often substantial, with margins of 16.9% in Cinebench R20 multi-core, 24% in PassMark single-thread, and a massive 50.3% in data encryption. For users running a mix of productivity, encryption, floating-point math, and compression tasks, the 225H is the safer choice. It also offers competitive single-core performance in the older Cinebench R15 test, trailing by only 0.5%.

The Intel Core 9 273PTE, however, is the pick for specific high-intensity workloads. Its 28.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 31.8% lead in R23 single-core are the largest deltas in the entire comparison. It also wins in PassMark integer math by 16.9% and physics by 2.1%. This makes it the superior option for rendering tasks that scale with the R23 benchmark, or for integer-heavy computation. The 273PTE's 24 threads versus the 225H's 14 threads likely explain its R23 advantage, despite having fewer physical cores.

The 225H is the better all-rounder. The 273PTE is a specialist. The data shows that the 225H's average benchmark score of 31508 edges out the 273PTE's 31143, and its 82nd percentile ranking is matched by the 273PTE. However, the 225H's nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-13500, scores 31510, a 0% delta, while the 273PTE's closest competitor, the Intel Core i7-12700F, scores 31081, a 0.2% delta. This suggests the 225H is more tightly grouped with its peers. For most users, the 225H's broader suite of wins makes it the default recommendation. For those who specifically need R23 performance or integer math throughput, the 273PTE is the clear winner.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest win for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H comes in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 21428 against the 273PTE's 14253, a 50.3% advantage. This is a massive margin that highlights the 225H's cryptographic processing strength. Similarly, in PassMark find prime numbers, the 225H scores 220 versus 142, a 54.9% lead. These are not marginal differences; they represent fundamental throughput advantages in specific instruction paths.

The 225H also dominates in floating-point math, scoring 86540 against 60673, a 42.6% improvement. Extended instructions follow suit, with the 225H at 21915 versus 15952, a 37.4% lead. In PassMark multi-thread, the 225H scores 28119 against 24054, a 16.9% win, and in random string sorting it leads 33654 to 28973, a 16.2% margin. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows the 225H ahead at 10041 versus 8586, another 16.9% win, and the R20 single-core test shows a 16.9% lead as well, with scores of 1417 versus 1212. PassMark single-thread rounds out the 225H's dominance, with a 24% win (4258 versus 3433).

The Intel Core 9 273PTE's wins are fewer but significant. Its most notable victory is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 20445 against 14629.5, a 28.4% lead. This is the largest single delta in the entire comparison. The R23 single-core test shows a 31.8% advantage, with scores of 2886 versus 1969. In PassMark integer math, the 273PTE wins 82411 to 68520, a 16.9% margin. The physics test is close, with the 273PTE edging out a 2.1% win (1917 versus 1877). The R15 single-core test is nearly a tie, with the 273PTE winning by just 0.5% (290 versus 288.5).

The pattern is clear. The 225H wins on encryption, floating-point, compression, and general threading. The 273PTE wins on Cinebench R23 and integer math. Interestingly, the R15 multi-core test favors the 225H by 16.4% (2397.5 versus 2060), showing that the 273PTE's R23 advantage does not extend to the older benchmark version. This suggests workload-specific scaling rather than a general multi-core superiority.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design philosophies. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H is built on Arrow Lake-H, using a 3 nm process node from TSMC. The Intel Core 9 273PTE uses Bartlett Lake, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm node. This process difference is stark: 3 nm versus 10 nm, which explains why the mobile chip achieves higher efficiency in many tasks despite a lower 28 W TDP versus the 45 W TDP of the desktop part.

The core configurations differ fundamentally. The 225H has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The 273PTE has 12 cores and 24 threads, meaning each core supports two threads. This 24-thread count gives the 273PTE a theoretical advantage in highly parallel workloads, which is visible in its Cinebench R23 multi-core score. The 225H compensates with a higher base clock of 1.70 GHz versus 1.40 GHz, though the 273PTE boosts higher at 5.50 GHz versus 4.90 GHz.

Cache allocation also differs. The 225H has 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 3 MB of L2 per core, with 18 MB of shared L3. The 273PTE has 80 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, but a much larger 36 MB of shared L3. This doubled L3 cache likely contributes to the 273PTE's integer math and R23 performance, as larger caches reduce memory latency for working sets that fit within them.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The 225H features Arc Graphics 130T, while the 273PTE has UHD Graphics 730. The 225H also supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, while the 273PTE supports DDR4 and DDR5. The 225H has a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for the 273PTE. The 273PTE supports ECC memory, while the 225H does not. PCIe lanes also differ, with the 225H offering Gen 5 with 8 lanes and the 273PTE offering Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification difference is the core and thread count. The 225H has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the 273PTE has 12 cores and 24 threads. This means the 225H relies on physical cores alone, while the 273PTE uses simultaneous multi-threading to double its thread count.

Clock speeds differ significantly. The 225H has a base clock of 1.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The 273PTE has a lower base clock of 1.40 GHz but a higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz. This 0.6 GHz boost advantage for the 273PTE is substantial and likely drives its single-core wins in Cinebench R23.

The TDP ratings are different, with the 225H at 28 W and the 273PTE at 45 W. This reflects the mobile versus desktop market segmentation. The sockets also differ: the 225H uses Intel BGA 2049, while the 273PTE uses Intel Socket 1700. The memory support differs, with the 225H supporting DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while the 273PTE supports DDR4 and DDR5. The 225H has a higher memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. The 273PTE supports ECC memory, which the 225H does not. The PCIe configuration favors the 273PTE, which offers 16 Gen 5 lanes versus 8 on the 225H.

The integrated graphics are different, with the 225H using Arc Graphics 130T and the 273PTE using UHD Graphics 730. The process node differs, with the 225H on TSMC's 3 nm and the 273PTE on Intel's 10 nm. The release dates are different, with the 225H released on 2025-01-12 and the 273PTE on 2026-03-08. The 273PTE has a launch MSRP of $549, which is noted once here.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H has 14 cores, while the Intel Core 9 273PTE has 12 cores. However, the 273PTE has 24 threads due to hyper-threading, while the 225H has only 14 threads.

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PTE is significantly faster, scoring 20445 versus 14629.5 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H, a 28.4% difference in favor of the 273PTE.

Q: Which processor has better single-thread performance in PassMark?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H wins this test, scoring 4258 versus 3433 for the Intel Core 9 273PTE, a 24% advantage.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core 9 273PTE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PTE has a higher boost clock at 5.50 GHz, compared to 4.90 GHz for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H.

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H wins 12 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 9 273PTE wins 5.