Intel Core 9 273PTE vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive overall victory for the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K, which wins 16 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core 9 273PTE claims only a single win, but that win is substantial and highlights a specific strength.

The most significant margin appears in the PassMark extended instructions test. The Core Ultra 5 245K scores 37,617 against 15,952 for the Core 9 273PTE, a delta of 57.6% in favor of the Ultra part. Similarly, data encryption shows a 57.2% advantage for the Core Ultra 5 245K, with scores of 33,286 versus 14,253. Prime number finding follows the same pattern: the Core Ultra 5 245K posts 414 points, while the Core 9 273PTE manages 142, a 65.7% gap that represents the largest single delta in the comparison.

Multi-core rendering workloads also favor the Core Ultra 5 245K, though by smaller margins. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Ultra part scores 15,368 against 8,586, a 44.1% advantage. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 46.5% lead for the Core Ultra 5 245K (3,850 versus 2,060). The Cinebench R23 multi-core test narrows the gap to 18.4%, with the Core Ultra 5 245K scoring 25,066 versus 20,445 for the Core 9 273PTE.

Single-core results are mixed. The Core Ultra 5 245K wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 9.9% (322 versus 290) and Cinebench R20 single-core by 44.1% (2,169 versus 1,212). PassMark single-thread also goes to the Core Ultra 5 245K, 4,714 versus 3,433, a 27.2% margin. However, Cinebench R23 single-core flips the result: the Core 9 273PTE scores 2,886 against 2,132, a 35.4% advantage for the Core 9 part. This is the only test where the Core 9 273PTE leads, and the margin is large enough to indicate a genuine strength in that specific workload.

Other PassMark workloads consistently favor the Core Ultra 5 245K. Data compression shows 458,817 versus 258,704 (43.6% gap). Floating point math gives the Ultra part 130,678 against 60,673 (53.6% gap). Integer math is closer: 98,524 versus 82,411, a 16.4% difference. Multithread performance shows 43,047 versus 24,054 (44.1%). Physics tests give the Ultra part 3,081 versus 1,917 (37.8%). Random string sorting rounds out the list with 55,098 versus 28,973, a 47.4% gap.

Overall average benchmark scores confirm the hierarchy. The Core Ultra 5 245K averages 54,053 across the database, placing it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs. The Core 9 273PTE averages 31,143, which lands in the 82nd percentile. The nearest rivals for the Core 9 273PTE include the Intel Core i7-12700F (average score 31,081, delta 0.2%) and the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS (31,074, delta 0.2%), both of which sit statistically level with it. The Core Ultra 5 245K, by contrast, sits near the Intel Xeon 6505P (53,701, delta 0.7%) and the Intel Core i7-14700F (53,620, delta 0.8%), showing it competes with higher-tier desktop parts.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different Intel designs. The Intel Core 9 273PTE is a Bartlett Lake part on a 10 nm process node built by Intel. It uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform and belongs to the Core 9 generation. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is an Arrow Lake-S design on a 3 nm process node fabricated by TSMC. It uses the Intel Socket 1851 platform and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 generation.

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The Core 9 273PTE provides 12 cores and 24 threads, indicating simultaneous multithreading (SMT) support. The Core Ultra 5 245K provides 14 cores but only 14 threads, meaning it does not use SMT. Despite fewer threads, the Ultra part delivers higher throughput in nearly every test, which points to the efficiency gains from the 3 nm process and newer architecture.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The Core 9 273PTE offers 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 245K provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra part has larger per-core caches but less total L3. The Core 9 273PTE compensates with a larger shared L3 pool.

Memory support differs. The Core 9 273PTE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 245K supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses. Memory bandwidth favors the Ultra part: 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for the Core 9. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity also separates the two. The Core 9 273PTE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Core Ultra 5 245K provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU, a 25% increase in available lanes.

Integrated graphics differ. The Core 9 273PTE carries UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 5 245K uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The Ultra part's newer graphics architecture offers more modern feature support.

Clock speeds tell a nuanced story. The Core 9 273PTE has a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The Core Ultra 5 245K has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Core 9 has a higher peak boost but a much lower base clock, reflecting its lower 45 W TDP. The Core Ultra 5 245K runs at 125 W TDP, which explains its higher sustained base frequency.

The multiplier is unlocked on the Core Ultra 5 245K, while the Core 9 273PTE is locked. The Core Ultra 5 245K also carries a larger transistor count at 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm², whereas the Core 9 273PTE does not have transistor or die size data recorded.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K averages 54,053, compared to 31,143 for the Intel Core 9 273PTE. The Ultra part sits in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 9 sits in the 82nd.

Q: Does the Intel Core 9 273PTE win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 2,886, which is 35.4% ahead of the Core Ultra 5 245K's 2,132. This is its only recorded win in the head-to-head comparison.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The Core 9 273PTE has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Core Ultra 5 245K has 14 cores and 14 threads. The Ultra part has more cores but does not use simultaneous multithreading.

Q: What are the TDP differences between the two?

A: The Core 9 273PTE has a 45 W TDP. The Core Ultra 5 245K has a 125 W TDP. The Ultra part uses significantly more power, which aligns with its higher base clock of 4.20 GHz versus 1.40 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the Core 9 273PTE supports DDR4. The Core Ultra 5 245K supports DDR5 exclusively. Both support DDR5 and ECC memory.

Q: How does PCIe lane count differ?

A: The Core 9 273PTE provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The Core Ultra 5 245K provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes, offering four additional lanes.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 9 273PTE | Intel Core Ultra 5 245K |

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

| Cores | 12 | 14 |

| Threads | 24 | 14 |

| Base Clock | 1.40 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.50 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 125 W |

| 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) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $549 | $319 |

| Release Date | 2026-03-08 | 2024-10-23 |

| Part Number | SA4QJ | SRQCT |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K dominates across the vast majority of recorded workloads. It wins every PassMark test in the comparison, including data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread tests. It also wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests (R15, R20, R23) and two of the three Cinebench single-core tests (R15 and R20). The performance advantage ranges from 9.9% in Cinebench R15 single-core to 65.7% in PassMark prime number finding.

The Intel Core 9 273PTE wins exactly one test: Cinebench R23 single-core, where it leads by 35.4%. This result suggests that for workloads that stress a single thread in a manner similar to Cinebench R23's rendering engine, the Core 9 273PTE can outperform the Core Ultra 5 245K despite its lower average scores. The Core 9 also offers a lower TDP of 45 W versus 125 W, which makes it suited for thermally constrained environments. Its support for DDR4 memory provides compatibility with existing memory infrastructure.

The Core 9 273PTE also carries a higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz against 5.20 GHz for the Ultra part, which likely contributes to its single-core win. The larger shared L3 cache of 36 MB versus 24 MB may also play a role in workloads with substantial data reuse.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K as the stronger overall processor. Its 91st percentile ranking, average benchmark score of 54,053, and 16 wins in 17 head-to-head tests establish it as the higher-performing part across nearly every measured category. The Ultra part delivers particularly large advantages in extended instructions, data encryption, prime number finding, and floating point math, where margins exceed 50%. Its 3 nm process, higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, and additional PCIe lanes support a more capable platform overall.

The Intel Core 9 273PTE occupies a different position. Its 82nd percentile ranking and 31,143 average score place it near the Intel Core i7-12700F and AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS, both of which sit within 0.2% of its average score. The Core 9 offers a clear single-core win in Cinebench R23, a lower 45 W TDP, DDR4 compatibility, and a higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz. These characteristics make it appropriate for scenarios where power consumption is a priority or where legacy DDR4 memory must be retained.

For buyers prioritizing raw throughput, the Core Ultra 5 245K is the data-supported choice. For those needing the specific single-core performance profile shown in Cinebench R23, or requiring a lower-power socket 1700 part with DDR4 support, the Core 9 273PTE has documented advantages. The launch MSRP for the Core 9 273PTE is $549, while the Core Ultra 5 245K has a launch MSRP of $319.