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

The Intel Core 9 273PTE and Intel Core Ultra 5 225T are two desktop processors with distinct design targets. The Core 9 273PTE uses 12 cores and 24 threads on a 10nm process, while the Core Ultra 5 225T uses 10 cores and 10 threads on a 3nm process. In the database's head-to-head benchmark suite, the Core Ultra 5 225T wins 14 of 17 tests, while the Core 9 273PTE takes 3. The average benchmark scores are 31143 for the Core 9 and 30468 for the Ultra 5, placing both in the 82nd percentile of all CPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The Core Ultra 5 225T dominates the benchmark suite. It wins every Cinebench test, both single-core and multi-core, across R15, R20, and R23. It also takes PassMark data encryption, extended instructions, find prime numbers, floating point math, multithread, physics, and single thread. This means the Ultra 5 is the stronger choice for rendering, general compute, and any workload that benefits from high single-thread performance or floating point throughput.

The Core 9 273PTE wins three specific tests: PassMark data compression, integer math, and random string sorting. These are integer-heavy and memory-latency-sensitive workloads. The Core 9's lead in integer math is particularly large, at 38.4% over the Ultra 5. For tasks like compression utilities, database operations, or integer-heavy scientific code, the Core 9 has a clear advantage.

FAQ

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

A: The Core Ultra 5 225T scores 21971 versus 20445 for the Core 9 273PTE, a 6.9% lead.

Q: Does the Core 9 273PTE win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins PassMark data compression (258704 vs 233998, 10.6% ahead), integer math (82411 vs 59543, 38.4% ahead), and random string sorting (28973 vs 28774, 0.7% ahead).

Q: How large is the single-thread gap?

A: In PassMark single thread, the Ultra 5 scores 4348 versus 3433, a 21% lead. In Cinebench R23 single core, the lead is 6.9% (3101 vs 2886).

Q: What about core counts?

A: The Core 9 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Ultra 5 has 10 cores and 10 threads. Despite fewer threads, the Ultra 5 wins most multi-threaded tests, including Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Q: What are the TDPs?

A: The Core 9 273PTE has a TDP of 45W, while the Core Ultra 5 225T has a TDP of 65W.

Q: Which has more L3 cache?

A: The Core 9 has 36MB shared L3, the Ultra 5 has 20MB shared L3.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results are consistent. The Ultra 5 wins all six tests with a margin of roughly 7%. In R23 multi-core, it scores 21971 vs 20445, a 6.9% advantage. R23 single-core: 3101 vs 2886, also 6.9%. R20 multi: 9227 vs 8586, 6.9%. R20 single: 1302 vs 1212, 6.9%. R15 multi: 2214 vs 2060, 7.0%. R15 single: 312 vs 290, 7.1%. This pattern shows a uniform performance edge in both single-thread and multi-thread rendering workloads.

The PassMark results show larger swings. The Ultra 5 wins data encryption by 22.1% (18289 vs 14253), extended instructions by 20.6% (20083 vs 15952), find prime numbers by 50% (284 vs 142), floating point math by 26.7% (82751 vs 60673), multithread by 5.1% (25358 vs 24054), physics by 6.6% (2053 vs 1917), and single thread by 21% (4348 vs 3433). The Core 9 counters with a 10.6% win in data compression (258704 vs 233998), a 38.4% win in integer math (82411 vs 59543), and a narrow 0.7% win in random string sorting (28973 vs 28774).

The biggest single delta is in find prime numbers, where the Ultra 5 doubles the Core 9's score. The integer math result is the Core 9's largest win, at 38.4%. These extremes highlight the different strengths: the Ultra 5 excels at floating point and single-thread tasks, while the Core 9 is built for integer throughput.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 9 273PTE | Intel Core Ultra 5 225T |

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

| Cores | 12 | 10 |

| Threads | 24 | 10 |

| Base clock | 1.40 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.50 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 45W | 65W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Process node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| 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 | 20 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 only |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 lanes | Gen 5, 20 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU |

| Release date | 2026-03-08 | 2024-12-31 |

| Launch MSRP | $549 | Not available |

The Core 9 has more cores and threads, a higher boost clock, and a lower TDP. The Ultra 5 has a higher base clock, a smaller process node, more L1 and L2 cache per core, higher memory bandwidth, and more PCIe lanes. The Core 9 supports ECC memory and both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 is DDR5-only.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural families. The Core 9 273PTE is based on Bartlett Lake, built on Intel's 10nm process. The Core Ultra 5 225T uses Arrow Lake, fabricated on TSMC's 3nm node. This process difference is a major factor in the Ultra 5's single-thread and floating point advantages, as the smaller node allows higher efficiency and lower latency.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The Ultra 5 has 192 KB of L1 and 3 MB of L2 per core, compared to 80 KB and 2 MB on the Core 9. However, the Core 9 has a much larger shared L3 pool at 36 MB versus 20 MB. This larger L3 likely helps the Core 9 in integer math and compression, where data reuse is common.

Memory support also diverges. The Core 9 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 5 is DDR5-only. The Ultra 5 has a higher memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. The Core 9 includes ECC support, which the Ultra 5 lacks. PCIe lane counts differ as well: the Ultra 5 offers 20 Gen 5 lanes, the Core 9 has 16. Integrated graphics are different too: the Core 9 uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 5 has Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T as the faster processor in the majority of workloads. It wins 14 of 17 head-to-head tests, including all Cinebench rendering tests and most PassMark compute tests. The Ultra 5's single-thread lead of 21% in PassMark and its 50% advantage in prime number finding make it the better choice for general desktop use, rendering, and any application that relies on floating point or single-core performance.

The Core 9 273PTE is not without merit. Its 38.4% lead in integer math and 10.6% lead in data compression make it the preferred option for integer-heavy tasks such as compression utilities, certain database workloads, and scientific computing that is not floating point bound. The Core 9 also has a lower TDP of 45W versus 65W, which may be relevant for compact or low-power builds, and it supports ECC memory for reliability-sensitive systems.

For most users, the Core Ultra 5 225T is the stronger all-around processor. For those with specific integer or compression workloads, the Core 9 273PTE offers a clear, measurable advantage. The choice comes down to the workload mix, and the benchmark data provides a clear map of where each CPU excels.