Intel Core 9 273PE vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear performance hierarchy between these two Intel desktop processors. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K dominates the multicore and most single-core workloads, while the Intel Core 9 273PE secures a narrow set of victories in specific legacy single-threaded tests. Across the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, the Core Ultra 9 285K wins 15, with the Core 9 273PE taking only 2.

The largest margin of victory for the Core 9 273PE appears in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 4417 against 2377 for the Core Ultra 9 285K, a delta of 85.8%. This is a substantial gap. The other win for the Core 9 273PE comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, with 445 points versus 359, a 24% advantage. These results indicate that the Core 9 273PE holds a significant edge in certain single-threaded rendering workloads, likely due to its high boost clock and architecture design.

The Core Ultra 9 285K responds with overwhelming advantages in every other category. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 6494 against 3153, a 51.4% lead. Cinebench R20 multicore shows a similar pattern: 24003 versus 13140, a 45.3% advantage. The Cinebench R23 multicore test delivers 42522 versus 31288, a 26.4% gap. These multicore results reflect the Core Ultra 9 285K's higher core count and thread management.

The Passmark suite further confirms the Core Ultra 9 285K's dominance. Data compression scores 790052 versus 405885, a 48.6% lead. Data encryption shows 57745 versus 22719, a 60.7% advantage. Extended instructions deliver 62277 versus 24630, a 60.5% margin. Find prime numbers scores 541 versus 203, a 62.5% gap. Floating point math reaches 224324 versus 107884, a 51.9% lead. Integer math shows a smaller but still decisive 19.1% advantage, with 172379 versus 139410. Multithread scores 67260 versus 36810, a 45.3% margin. Physics tests deliver 3938 versus 3120, a 20.8% lead. Random string sorting scores 94927 versus 45098, a 52.5% advantage. Even the Passmark single-thread test favors the Core Ultra 9 285K, with 5087 versus 3650, a 28.2% lead.

A notable inconsistency exists between the Cinebench single-core results and the Passmark single-thread result. The Cinebench R23 and R15 single-core tests favor the Core 9 273PE, while Passmark single-thread favors the Core Ultra 9 285K. This suggests workload-specific architectural strengths rather than a universal single-core superiority for either processor.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 9 273PE wins 2.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in the data?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Intel Core 9 273PE leads by 85.8% with a score of 4417 versus 2377.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multicore rendering?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K leads in Cinebench R23 multicore with 42522 versus 31288, a 26.4% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multicore, it leads 24003 versus 13140, a 45.3% margin.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K has an average benchmark score of 83807, while the Intel Core 9 273PE has 49845. The Core Ultra 9 285K also sits at the 96th percentile versus all CPUs, compared to the 90th percentile for the Core 9 273PE.

Q: What are the closest rivals to each processor in the database?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PE's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 with a 0.1% delta. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K's closest competitor is the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus with a 0.2% delta.

Q: Is there any test where the Intel Core 9 273PE outperforms the Core Ultra 9 285K?

A: Yes, the Core 9 273PE wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 445 versus 359 (24% lead) and Cinebench R23 single-core with 4417 versus 2377 (85.8% lead).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design lineages. The Intel Core 9 273PE belongs to the Bartlett Lake codename family, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. It offers 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. Its thermal design power is 65 watts. The Core 9 273PE uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform and carries the generation label "Core 9 (Bartlett Lake)".

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, by contrast, is part of the Core Ultra Series 2 family under the Arrow Lake codename, specifically Arrow Lake-S. It is fabricated on a 3 nm process by TSMC, a critical difference in manufacturing approach. The chip contains 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. It provides 24 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a matching boost clock of 5.70 GHz. The thermal design power is 125 watts. The Core Ultra 9 285K uses the Intel Socket 1851 platform and belongs to the "Ultra 9 (Arrow Lake)" generation.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Core 9 273PE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, with 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 9 285K offers 192 KB of L1 per core and 3 MB of L2 per core, also with 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core caches on the Core Ultra 9 285K align with its higher core count and 3 nm process.

Memory support separates the two as well. The Core 9 273PE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Core Ultra 9 285K supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Core Ultra 9 285K achieves a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for the Core 9 273PE. Both processors support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Core 9 273PE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core Ultra 9 285K provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics solutions differ as well: the Core 9 273PE uses UHD Graphics 730, while the Core Ultra 9 285K uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.

The Core Ultra 9 285K has an unlocked multiplier, while the Core 9 273PE does not. This represents a meaningful difference for overclocking considerations, though the data does not include overclocked benchmark results.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a clear distinction between these two processors. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is the stronger overall performer, leading in 15 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks and carrying a higher average benchmark score of 83807 versus 49845. Its 96th percentile ranking versus all CPUs, compared to the 90th percentile for the Core 9 273PE, reinforces its higher standing in the database.

The Intel Core 9 273PE is not without merit. Its 85.8% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 24% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core indicate that certain single-threaded rendering tasks run substantially faster on this chip. Its 65 watt TDP is lower than the 125 watt TDP of the Core Ultra 9 285K, which may be relevant for power-constrained systems. The Core 9 273PE also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, offering platform flexibility that the Core Ultra 9 285K lacks.

The Core Ultra 9 285K compensates with a 51.4% lead in Cinebench R15 multicore, a 45.3% lead in Cinebench R20 multicore, and a 26.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore. Its Passmark results are consistently 19.1% to 62.5% ahead across encryption, compression, math, sorting, and physics workloads. The 24-core configuration with 24 threads provides substantial parallel throughput.

The release timeline also differs. The Core Ultra 9 285K has a release date of October 2024, while the Core 9 273PE carries a release date of March 2026. Both processors remain in active production status.

For buyers prioritizing multicore throughput, heavy compute workloads, and encryption or compression tasks, the data points unequivocally to the Core Ultra 9 285K. For those with workloads that rely heavily on the specific single-threaded rendering paths measured by Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core tests, the Core 9 273PE offers a superior result in those isolated cases. The overall database ranking favors the Core Ultra 9 285K.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several core specifications. The Intel Core 9 273PE has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K has 24 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks differ at 2.30 GHz versus 3.70 GHz, while boost clocks match at 5.70 GHz for both. Thermal design power differs, with 65 watts for the Core 9 273PE and 125 watts for the Core Ultra 9 285K.

The sockets are different: Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 9 273PE, Intel Socket 1851 for the Core Ultra 9 285K. The Core 9 273PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename with a 10 nm process from Intel, while the Core Ultra 9 285K uses the Arrow Lake-S codename with a 3 nm process from TSMC. The Core Ultra 9 285K has a transistor count of 17,800 million and a die size of 243 mm², while the Core 9 273PE has no listed transistor or die size data.

Cache hierarchy differs per core: L1 is 80 KB per core on the Core 9 273PE versus 192 KB per core on the Core Ultra 9 285K, and L2 is 2 MB per core versus 3 MB per core. Shared L3 is identical at 36 MB. Memory support differs, with the Core 9 273PE accepting DDR4 and DDR5 while the Core Ultra 9 285K accepts DDR5 only. Memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s for the Core 9 273PE and 102.4 GB/s for the Core Ultra 9 285K, both over dual-channel buses.

PCIe lanes differ: 16 Gen 5 lanes for the Core 9 273PE versus 20 Gen 5 lanes for the Core Ultra 9 285K. Integrated graphics differ: UHD Graphics 730 for the Core 9 273PE, Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU for the Core Ultra 9 285K. The multiplier is unlocked on the Core Ultra 9 285K but locked on the Core 9 273PE. The Core Ultra 9 285K is part of the Core Ultra Series 2 family, while the Core 9 273PE has no series designation in the database.