Intel Core 9 273PTE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive overall result: the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX wins 16 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core 9 273PTE claims a single victory. The average benchmark score for the Ultra 7 255HX is 62,738, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, whereas the Core 9 273PTE averages 31,143 and sits in the 82nd percentile.

The magnitude of the Ultra 7 255HX's lead varies considerably across test categories. Its largest advantage comes in PassMark prime number search, where it scores 400 against 142, a 64.5% gap. Encryption follows closely, with the Ultra 7 255HX delivering 39,499 versus 14,253, a 63.9% difference. Extended instruction workloads show a 61.3% lead, and floating-point math shows a 62.2% gap, with scores of 41,247 versus 15,952 and 160,624 versus 60,673 respectively.

In multi-threaded Cinebench tests, the Ultra 7 255HX dominates, though the margin narrows as the workload scales. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 4,916 against 2,060, a 58.1% lead. R20 multi-core shows 17,187 versus 8,586, exactly 50% ahead. R23 multi-core narrows to 37.3%, with 32,612 against 20,445. The PassMark multi-thread score of 48,234 versus 24,054 reflects a 50.1% gap. Random string sorting favors the Ultra 7 255HX by 53.7%, with 62,591 against 28,973.

Single-threaded results are more nuanced. The Ultra 7 255HX wins PassMark single-thread tests with 4,562 against 3,433, a 24.7% lead, along with Cinebench R15 single-core (327 versus 290, an 11.3% gap) and R20 single-core (2,426 versus 1,212, exactly 50% ahead). However, the Core 9 273PTE takes Cinebench R23 single-core by a substantial 33.4%, scoring 2,886 against 2,163. This single result indicates that in certain lightly threaded, sustained workloads, the Core 9 273PTE can outperform its rival.

Integer math shows a 35.2% advantage for the Ultra 7 255HX (127,126 versus 82,411), and physics workloads show a 34.5% lead (2,926 versus 1,917). The data compression test rounds out the picture with a 49.8% gap, 515,143 versus 258,704. Across all recorded metrics, the Ultra 7 255HX demonstrates a consistent and often large advantage in throughput, while the Core 9 273PTE shows one notable single-core strength.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX averages 62,738 across all recorded benchmarks, while the Intel Core 9 273PTE averages 31,143.

Q: In how many head-to-head tests does each processor win?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX wins 16 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core 9 273PTE wins 1 comparison.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in the PassMark prime number search test, where the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX scores 400 versus 142 for the Intel Core 9 273PTE, a 64.5% difference.

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

A: Yes, it wins Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 2,886 against 2,163 for the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX, a 33.4% advantage.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX scores 32,612, which is 37.3% higher than the 20,445 scored by the Intel Core 9 273PTE.

Q: What are the percentile rankings for each processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX sits in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 9 273PTE sits in the 82nd percentile.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split. For any workload that scales across multiple threads, the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX is the stronger processor, and the margin is typically large. Its wins span rendering, encryption, compression, math, and physics simulations, with leads ranging from 34.5% to 64.5%. The 93rd percentile ranking and an average score double that of the rival confirm this position.

The Intel Core 9 273PTE is not without merit. Its single Cinebench R23 single-core win, with a 33.4% lead, shows that in specific lightly threaded scenarios it can deliver superior performance. However, in the other two single-core Cinebench versions and both PassMark single-thread tests, the Ultra 7 255HX is ahead. The overall pattern shows the Core 9 273PTE is better suited to tasks that rely on one or few cores and can use its higher 5.50 GHz boost clock, while the Ultra 7 255HX is the choice for multi-threaded throughput, despite its lower 5.20 GHz boost clock.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The Intel Core 9 273PTE has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX has 20 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are 1.40 GHz for the Core 9 273PTE and 2.40 GHz for the Ultra 7 255HX, while boost clocks are 5.50 GHz and 5.20 GHz respectively. Thermal design power differs, with the Core 9 273PTE rated at 45 W and the Ultra 7 255HX at 55 W.

Memory support diverges: the Core 9 273PTE supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the Ultra 7 255HX supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory, but memory bandwidth is higher on the Ultra 7 255HX at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. ECC memory is supported by the Core 9 273PTE but not by the Ultra 7 255HX.

PCIe lanes differ, with the Core 9 273PTE offering Gen 5 with 16 lanes and the Ultra 7 255HX offering Gen 5 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics are distinct: the Core 9 273PTE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Ultra 7 255HX uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The market segment also differs, with the Core 9 273PTE being a Desktop part and the Ultra 7 255HX being a Mobile part. The Core 9 273PTE has a locked multiplier, while the Ultra 7 255HX has an unlocked multiplier. The Core 9 273PTE has a launch MSRP of $549; the Ultra 7 255HX has no recorded launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The underlying designs are distinct. The Intel Core 9 273PTE is built on Bartlett Lake and uses a 10 nm process node from Intel. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX is built on Arrow Lake-HX, uses a 3 nm process node from TSMC, and is part of the Core Ultra Series 2. The Ultra 7 255HX has recorded transistor and die size data, with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, while the Core 9 273PTE has no transistor or die size figures.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Core 9 273PTE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 7 255HX has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The sockets are incompatible: the Core 9 273PTE uses Intel Socket 1700, while the Ultra 7 255HX uses Intel BGA 2114.

Release dates differ, with the Core 9 273PTE released in 2026 and the Ultra 7 255HX released in 2025. The part numbers also differ, with SA4QJ for the Core 9 273PTE and SRVFG for the Ultra 7 255HX.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX is the dominant processor for multi-threaded workloads. Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests all favor it, with leads from 37.3% to 58.1%. PassMark multi-thread shows a 50.1% lead. Data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number search, floating-point math, integer math, physics, and random string sorting all go to the Ultra 7 255HX, with advantages from 34.5% to 64.5%. It also wins PassMark single-thread and Cinebench R15 and R20 single-core tests.

The Intel Core 9 273PTE wins only Cinebench R23 single-core, with a 33.4% margin. This result indicates that for a specific type of sustained single-threaded rendering workload, the Core 9 273PTE can provide higher performance. Its higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz and larger shared L3 cache of 36 MB likely contribute to this advantage. The Ultra 7 255HX counters with higher base clocks, more cores, and a newer process node.

For desktop users with multi-threaded applications, the Ultra 7 255HX delivers 16 wins and a 93rd percentile ranking. For those with workloads that match the Cinebench R23 single-core profile, the Core 9 273PTE offers a specific advantage, but the recorded data shows this is the exception rather than the rule.