Intel Core 9 273PTE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 226V Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data splits these two Intel processors into clearly different roles. The Intel Core 9 273PTE wins 14 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V takes only 3. The average benchmark score tells the same story: 31143 for the Core 9 against 19368 for the Ultra 5, a gap that places the Core 9 at the 82nd percentile of all CPUs and the Ultra 5 at the 73rd. The Core 9 273PTE is the processor for sustained multi-threaded workloads, with its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 20445 more than double the Ultra 5's 9848. The Ultra 5 226V, however, shows a notable edge in two PassMark single-thread tests (3754 versus 3433) and in prime number finding, which suggests it handles lightly threaded integer work with unusual efficiency for its class. The data indicates that system builders targeting desktop compute density should select the Core 9 273PTE, while those prioritizing mobile efficiency with competent single-core behavior would find the Ultra 5 226V more appropriate.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design lineages. The Core 9 273PTE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm process fabricated by Intel, while the Ultra 5 226V uses Lunar Lake architecture on a 3 nm process from TSMC. Core counts diverge sharply: the Core 9 provides 12 cores and 24 threads, whereas the Ultra 5 provides 8 cores and 8 threads, meaning the Core 9 has hyperthreading while the Ultra 5 does not. The Core 9's cache hierarchy is larger in aggregate, with 36 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Ultra 5 carries only 8 MB of shared L3. Per-core L1 and L2 figures favor the Ultra 5, however, with 192 KB L1 and 2.5 MB L2 per core against 80 KB and 2 MB for the Core 9. The Core 9 runs at a base clock of 1.40 GHz and boosts to 5.50 GHz, while the Ultra 5 starts at 2.10 GHz and boosts to 4.50 GHz. Power envelopes differ by design intent: the Core 9 has a 45 W TDP, the Ultra 5 a 17 W TDP. The Core 9 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC memory, while the Ultra 5's memory support depends on the motherboard and lacks ECC. PCIe connectivity also differs, with the Core 9 offering Gen 5 with 16 lanes versus Gen 5 with 4 lanes for the Ultra 5. Integrated graphics distinguish them as well: the Core 9 uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 5 uses Arc 130V.

Where Each One Wins

The Core 9 273PTE dominates in nearly every multi-threaded and compute-heavy category. Its PassMark integer math score of 82411 exceeds the Ultra 5's 38647 by 113.2%, and its Cinebench R23 multicore result of 20445 is 107.6% higher. Data compression, floating point math, multithread performance, physics, and random string sorting all favor the Core 9 by margins ranging from 16.1% to 51.6%. The Core 9 also leads in Cinebench R20 single-core (1212 versus 900, a 34.7% advantage) and R15 single-core (290 versus 267, an 8.6% edge). The Ultra 5 226V, conversely, wins only in PassMark single-thread tests (3754 versus 3433, an 8.6% advantage) and PassMark find prime numbers (166 versus 142, a 14.5% margin). These wins indicate the Ultra 5 excels at tasks that depend on efficient per-core integer execution without heavy thread parallelism. The Ultra 5's higher single-thread PassMark score, despite a lower boost clock, points to architectural efficiency in the Lunar Lake design. For workloads like rendering, compilation, or data processing that scale with thread count, the Core 9 is the clear choice. For interactive single-threaded applications or prime number computation, the Ultra 5 shows its strength.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PTE has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The Core 9 273PTE records an average benchmark score of 31143, placing it at the 82nd percentile of all CPUs. The Ultra 5 226V records 19368, placing it at the 73rd percentile.

Q: Does the Ultra 5 226V win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Ultra 5 226V wins 3 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks: PassMark find prime numbers (166 versus 142), PassMark single-thread (3754 versus 3433), and PassMark singlethread (3754 versus 3433).

Q: How large is the Cinebench R23 multicore gap?

A: The Core 9 273PTE scores 20445 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 107.6% higher than the Ultra 5 226V's 9848.

Q: Which processor has a smaller power envelope?

A: The Ultra 5 226V has a 17 W TDP, while the Core 9 273PTE has a 45 W TDP.

Q: What are the socket types for each processor?

A: The Core 9 273PTE uses Intel Socket 1700, and the Ultra 5 226V uses Intel BGA 2833.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin of victory belongs to the Core 9 273PTE in Cinebench R23 multicore, where its 20445 score beats the Ultra 5's 9848 by 107.6%. PassMark integer math shows a similar magnitude, with the Core 9 scoring 82411 against 38647, a 113.2% advantage. These two results demonstrate the Core 9's ability to handle heavily threaded integer workloads with massive headroom over the Ultra 5. Data compression follows at 258704 versus 170687, a 51.6% lead. Random string sorting sees a 39.2% margin (28973 versus 20813). Multithread performance in PassMark yields 24054 against 17850, a 34.8% difference, while Cinebench R20 multicore shows 8586 versus 6381, a 34.6% gap. Physics simulation scores 1917 versus 1449, a 32.3% lead. Floating point math shows 60673 against 52270, a 16.1% margin. Data encryption records 14253 versus 12710, a 12.1% advantage. Extended instructions score 15952 against 14724, an 8.3% lead. Cinebench R15 multicore shows 2060 versus 1501, a 37.2% margin. Cinebench R20 single-core delivers 1212 versus 900, a 34.7% edge. Cinebench R23 single-core scores 2886 versus 1744, a 65.5% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 290 versus 267, an 8.6% lead. The Ultra 5 226V wins PassMark find prime numbers with 166 against 142, a 14.5% margin, and PassMark single-thread with 3754 against 3433, an 8.6% advantage. The overall win count stands at 14 for the Core 9 and 3 for the Ultra 5.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across every major specification category. The Core 9 273PTE has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Ultra 5 226V has 8 cores and 8 threads. Base clock speeds are 1.40 GHz for the Core 9 and 2.10 GHz for the Ultra 5. Boost clocks reach 5.50 GHz for the Core 9 and 4.50 GHz for the Ultra 5. TDP ratings are 45 W and 17 W, respectively. Sockets are Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 9 and Intel BGA 2833 for the Ultra 5. The process node is 10 nm for the Core 9, fabricated by Intel, while the Ultra 5 uses 3 nm from TSMC. Cache configurations differ: the Core 9 has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3, while the Ultra 5 has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Memory support shows the Core 9 accepting DDR4 and DDR5 with ECC capability, while the Ultra 5's memory support depends on the motherboard and lacks ECC. Memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s for the Core 9, with no figure recorded for the Ultra 5. PCIe lanes are 16 for the Core 9 and 4 for the Ultra 5, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 for the Core 9 and Arc 130V for the Ultra 5. The market segment is Desktop for the Core 9 and Mobile for the Ultra 5. Release dates place the Core 9 at 2026-03-08 and the Ultra 5 at 2024-09-23. The Core 9 has a launch MSRP of $549, while the Ultra 5 has no recorded launch MSRP. Both processors have locked multipliers. The Core 9's part number is SA4QJ, and the Ultra 5's is SRPMQSRPMR.