Intel Core 9 273PTE vs Intel Core Ultra 9 386H Comparison

The Intel Core 9 273PTE and Intel Core Ultra 9 386H target different computing environments, and the benchmark data reflects that split clearly. The Core 9 273PTE is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700 with a 45 W TDP, while the Core Ultra 9 386H is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 2540 with a 25 W TDP. The recorded benchmarks show the Ultra 9 386H dominating in nearly every measured workload, winning 16 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the Core 9 273PTE claims a single but significant victory in Cinebench R23 single-core. The average benchmark score for the Ultra 9 386H is 43210, placing it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the Core 9 273PTE's 31143 average and 82nd percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H is the clear winner for multi-threaded productivity. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 3223 against the Core 9 273PTE's 2060, a 36.1% advantage. The gap persists in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the Ultra 9 386H scores 12820 versus 8586, a 33% lead. PassMark multithread shows the same pattern, with the Ultra 9 386H at 35399 and the Core 9 273PTE at 24054, a 32% difference. The Ultra 9 386H also wins in specialized work like data compression, scoring 352365 against 258704 (26.6% ahead), and data encryption, where it scores 27150 versus 14253 (47.5% ahead).

The Core 9 273PTE's only win comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 2886 against the Ultra 9 386H's 2071.5, a 39.3% advantage. This is a substantial margin and indicates that for lightly threaded tasks that rely on a single core's raw speed, the desktop chip has an edge. However, this is an isolated result; in Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ultra 9 386H wins narrowly with 303.5 versus 290 (4.4% ahead), and in Cinebench R20 single-core it wins decisively with 1809 versus 1212 (33% ahead). PassMark single-thread also favors the Ultra 9 386H, with a score of 4218 versus 3433 (18.6% ahead).

For floating-point math, the Ultra 9 386H is far ahead, scoring 108527 against 60673, a 44.1% lead. Find prime numbers also favors the mobile chip, with the Ultra 9 386H at 341 versus 142, a 58.4% advantage. Integer math is closer, with the Ultra 9 386H at 87284 versus 82411, a 5.6% lead, but still a win. The overall picture is that the Ultra 9 386H wins everything except one single-core benchmark, making it the better choice for nearly all workloads measured.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different designs. The Intel Core 9 273PTE is based on Bartlett Lake, built on a 10 nm process, and features 12 cores with 24 threads. It has an L1 cache of 80 KB per core, an L2 cache of 2 MB per core, and a shared L3 cache of 36 MB. It supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. ECC memory is supported. The integrated graphics is UHD Graphics 730. It uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Its base clock is 1.40 GHz with a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, running at a TDP of 45 W.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H is based on Panther Lake, built on a 3 nm process, and features 16 cores with 16 threads. It has an L1 cache of 192 KB per core, an L2 cache of 2.5 MB per core, and a shared L3 cache of 18 MB. It supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory in a dual-channel configuration with a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported. The integrated graphics is Intel Xe3 Graphics. It uses PCIe Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only). Its base clock is 2.10 GHz with a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, running at a TDP of 25 W.

The process node difference is stark: 3 nm for the Ultra 9 386H versus 10 nm for the Core 9 273PTE. This explains the Ultra 9 386H's higher core count (16 vs 12) while maintaining a lower TDP (25 W vs 45 W). The Ultra 9 386H also has a larger L1 and L2 cache per core, but the Core 9 273PTE has double the shared L3 cache (36 MB vs 18 MB). The Core 9 273PTE's higher boost clock (5.50 GHz vs 4.90 GHz) contributes to its single-core win, while the Ultra 9 386H's higher base clock (2.10 GHz vs 1.40 GHz) and more cores drive its multicore dominance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest wins for the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H come in compute-heavy workloads. In PassMark find prime numbers, it scores 341 versus 142, a 58.4% lead. Data encryption shows a 47.5% advantage, with the Ultra 9 386H at 27150 versus 14253. Extended instructions also favor the mobile chip significantly, with 29138 versus 15952, a 45.3% gap. Floating-point math is another major win, with 108527 versus 60673, a 44.1% lead. Physics simulation follows, with the Ultra 9 386H at 3028 versus 1917, a 36.7% advantage.

Cinebench results are mixed. The Ultra 9 386H wins R15 multicore (3223 vs 2060, 36.1% ahead) and R20 multicore (12820 vs 8586, 33% ahead). In R23 multicore, the margin shrinks to nearly nothing, with the Ultra 9 386H at 20547 and the Core 9 273PTE at 20445, just 0.5% apart. Single-core results are inconsistent: the Ultra 9 386H wins R15 single-core narrowly (303.5 vs 290, 4.4% ahead) and R20 single-core decisively (1809 vs 1212, 33% ahead), but the Core 9 273PTE wins R23 single-core by a massive 39.3%, scoring 2886 versus 2071.5.

PassMark data compression and random string sorting both favor the Ultra 9 386H, with scores of 352365 versus 258704 (26.6% ahead) and 42135 versus 28973 (31.2% ahead), respectively. PassMark multithread shows a 32% lead for the Ultra 9 386H (35399 vs 24054). Integer math is the closest PassMark test, with the Ultra 9 386H at 87284 versus 82411, a 5.6% lead. PassMark single-thread (reported twice as single_thread and singlethread) gives the Ultra 9 386H a comfortable 18.6% edge, 4218 versus 3433.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H is the stronger processor in almost every measured scenario. Its 16 cores, higher base clock, and 3 nm process deliver superior multicore performance, as shown by wins in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore, plus all PassMark multithread tests. It also wins all single-thread tests except Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Core 9 273PTE's 5.50 GHz boost clock gives it a decisive 39.3% advantage. For users running heavily threaded workloads such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or scientific computing, the Ultra 9 386H is the clear choice based on scores like 12820 in Cinebench R20 multicore versus 8586 for the desktop chip.

The Core 9 273PTE does offer ECC memory support, which the Ultra 9 386H lacks, and it uses a desktop socket with 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes versus 12 on the mobile part. Its larger 36 MB L3 cache could help in some cache-sensitive tasks, but the benchmark data does not show a corresponding win outside of the single R23 single-core result. The Ultra 9 386H's 88th percentile ranking versus the Core 9 273PTE's 82nd percentile, along with an average score of 43210 versus 31143, summarizes the overall performance gap. For mobile users needing a powerful processor in a 25 W envelope, the Ultra 9 386H delivers. For desktop builders valuing ECC and a higher single-core peak in one specific benchmark, the Core 9 273PTE has a niche, but it loses 16 of 17 head-to-head comparisons.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 9 273PTE has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: What are the process nodes for each processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H uses a 3 nm process. The Intel Core 9 273PTE uses a 10 nm process.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PTE has a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz.

Q: How do the processors compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H scores 20547, and the Intel Core 9 273PTE scores 20445. The Ultra 9 386H wins by 0.5%.

Q: Does the Intel Core 9 273PTE support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 9 273PTE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor wins in PassMark single-thread?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H wins with a score of 4218 versus 3433 for the Intel Core 9 273PTE, an 18.6% advantage.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 9 273PTE | Intel Core Ultra 9 386H |

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

| Cores | 12 | 16 |

| Threads | 24 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 1.40 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.50 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 25 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Panther Lake |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 3 nm |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 36 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 12 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2026-03-08 | 2026-01-04 |

| Launch MSRP | $549 | Not specified |